Judiciary Square in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

DC Recorder of Deeds Building / WPA Era Murals

515 D Street, NW

— African American Heritage Trail, Washington DC —

DC Recorder of Deeds Building/WPA Era Murals Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, April 5, 2010

1. DC Recorder of Deeds Building/WPA Era Murals Marker

Inscription. DC’s Art Deco/Art Moderne Recorder of Deeds Building (1941) houses city land records. Many notable African Americans have served as recorders of deeds since President Garfield appointed Frederick Douglass to the post in 1881. These include Branche K. Bruce, the first African American to serve a full term in the U.S. Senate. Artwork inside includes portraits of recorders of deeds. Selma Burke’s bronze relief of Franklin D. Roosevelt, a statue of a young Abraham Lincoln, and seven murals exploring “the contributions of the Negro to the American Nation,” such as the 54th Massachusetts, astronomer Benjamin Banneker, and explorer Matthew A. Henson.

Erected by Cultural Tourism DC.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Civil Rights • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the African American Heritage Trail, the Art Deco, the Former U.S. Presidents: #20 James A. Garfield, and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1881.

Location. 38° 53.693′ N, 77° 1.165′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Judiciary Square.

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Marker is on D Street Northwest west of 5th Street Northwest. Marker is on the wall at the building's southeast entrance off D Street Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 515 D Street Northwest, Washington DC 20001, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Daniel Webster (a few steps from this marker); Senator Daniel Webster (a few steps from this marker); Ending Slavery in Washington (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sitting in Judgment (about 500 feet away); Old City Hall (about 500 feet away); Old City Hall and District of Columbia Court House (about 500 feet away); A Courthouse Reborn (about 700 feet away); 601 Pennsylvania Avenue (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.

More about this marker. Detail, Shaw at Fort Wagner, mural by Carlos Lopez (Courtesy, Recorder of Deeds Building)

Additional keywords. Black Americans.

DC Recorder of Deeds Building - marker is behind the tree at lower right image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, April 5, 2010

2. DC Recorder of Deeds Building - marker is behind the tree at lower right

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, April 11, 2010

3. DC Recorder of Deeds Building/WPA Era Murals Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 10, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,152 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 10, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 3. submitted on April 11, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.