Pleasant Plains in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
A Bench By The Road
There is no place you or I can go, to think about or not think about, to summon the presences of, or recollect the absences of slaves; nothing that reminds us of the ones who made the journey and of those who did not make it. There is no suitable memorial or plaque or wreath or wall or park or skyscraper lobby. There's no three-hundred-foot Tower. There's no small bench by the road.
- Toni Morrison 1989
The Bench by the Road Project was launched by the Toni Morrison Society in honor of Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison. This Bench commemorates the distinguished history of Howard University as an institution dedicated to the education of African Americans in the United States.
Founded in 1867, Howard University has enriched the lives of generations of African Americans and has produced world leaders in history, law, medicine, and the arts. Placed here at the Ira Aldridge Theatre during the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Toni Morrison Society, this Bench is a tribute to Howard's enduring legacy as a leader in Black education and its proud contribution to the life and works of alumna Toni Morrison.
Erected 2019 by Toni Morrison Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans
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Location. 38° 55.445′ N, 77° 1.247′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Pleasant Plains. It can be reached from 6th Street Northwest south of Fairmont Street Northwest, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2440 6th St NW, Washington DC 20001, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Tidewater, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Howard University Gallery of Art (a few steps from this marker); The Lake So Blue (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Prometheans, Inc. (about 400 feet away); Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (about 400 feet away); Miner Teachers College (about 500 feet away); General Oliver O. Howard (about 500 feet away); Howard Hall (about 500 feet away); Miner Hall (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 24, 2025
2. The Bench By The Road at Howard University
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 24, 2025
3. Signage for the Ira F. Aldridge Theatre
The Aldridge Theatre is one of the buildings comprising the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts on the northern end of the main campus of Howard University.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 24, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 161 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 24, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
