Cape May in Cape May County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Historically Black Franklin Street School

— New Jersey Black Heritage Trail —

Photographed by New Jersey Black Heritage Trail, June 12, 2025

1. Historically Black Franklin Street School Marker

Inscription. The struggle for equal educational opportunity for Black students in New Jersey is a centuries-long fight. The Franklin Street School stands as a monument to the centrality of African Americans in the history of Cape May. Due to public pressure to replace the deteriorated Annex building where Black students were taught, the school opened in 1928 and served Black elementary school children until 1948 when public school segregation was banned by the new state constitution. The building was saved in 1995 by the Center for Community Arts and became a branch of the Cape May County Library in 2024.

Erected 2025 by New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the New Jersey Department of State. (Marker Number 2024.A.01.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1928.

Location. 38° 56.127′ N, 74° 55.242′ W. Marker is in Cape May, New Jersey, in Cape May County. It is on Franklin Street just east of Lafayette Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal

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address: 720 Franklin STreet, Cape May NJ 08204, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on New Jersey’s Jersey Shore.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Franklin Street School (here, next to this marker); Civic & Education Center (here, next to this marker); Stephen Smith's Summer House, 1846 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Stephen Smith House (within shouting distance of this marker); Original Fire Hydrant (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Space Shuttle Tree (about 300 feet away); Opra Huff's Bakery, 1950s (about 300 feet away); The Cape May Meeting of the Joint Commission on Unity Memorial (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cape May.

On June 11, 2025 the New Jersey Historical Commission (NJHC) unveiled the first New Jersey Black He image. Click for full size.

Photographed by New Jersey Black Heritage Trail, June 11, 2025

2. On June 11, 2025 the New Jersey Historical Commission (NJHC) unveiled the first New Jersey Black He

African American teachers and students in Cape May. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cape May Magazine. Cape May, New Jersey.

3. African American teachers and students in Cape May.

Franklin Street School Students, 1927. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Center for Community Arts. Cape May, New Jersey

4. Franklin Street School Students, 1927.

Principal C.R. Thompson. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Center for Community Arts. Cape May, New Jersey.

5. Principal C.R. Thompson.

Franklin Street School Reunion, 1997. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Center for Community Arts. Cape May, New Jersey

6. Franklin Street School Reunion, 1997.

Franklin Street School Building. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Center for Community Arts. Cape May, New Jersey

7. Franklin Street School Building.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 18, 2025, by New Jersey Black Heritage Trail of Trenton, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 93 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 24, 2025, by New Jersey Black Heritage Trail of Trenton, New Jersey. 2. submitted on December 22, 2025, by New Jersey Black Heritage Trail of Trenton, New Jersey. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on December 19, 2025, by New Jersey Black Heritage Trail of Trenton, New Jersey. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.