Dover in Kent County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Booker T. Washington School

Photographed by Pete Skillman, March 25, 2024

1. Booker T. Washington School Marker

Inscription. On November 13, 1922, 210 children and 6 teachers marched from two old school buildings located on Slaughter Street and Division Street to a new school for African-American students in Dover. Funding for the building was provided by the Delaware School Auxiliary Association, through the generosity of P. S. duPont. The school was named for Booker T. Washington (1856-1915), a former slave who became the nation’s foremost African-American educator. Originally built for Grades 1-8, this was the state’s largest African-American school at the time of its opening. Grades 9 and 10 were later added. S. Marcellus Blackburn was the school’s first and only principal for forty years. His daily motto was “Lest we forget.” Following integration in 1965, the school became known as West Dover Elementary. The original name was restored in 1998.

Erected 2004 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number KC-88.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives series list. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1873.

Location. 39° 9.552′ N,

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75° 32.371′ W. Marker is in Dover, Delaware, in Kent County. It is on Forrest Street (Delaware Route 8) west of Gibbs Drive, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 901 Forrest Street, Dover DE 19904, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Mid-Atlantic,

on the Delmarva Peninsula,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: William W.M. Henry Comprehensive High School (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Eden Hill Farm (approx. 0.4 miles away); Former Site of ILC Dover (approx. 0.4 miles away); Calvary Baptist Church (approx. half a mile away); Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. half a mile away); Site of Dover's First Methodist Church (approx.

Photographed by Bill Pfingsten, December 15, 2010

2. Booker T. Washington School Marker

This is a photo of the marker in its previous location, and before it's current coloring.

0.6 miles away); Colonel John Haslet (approx. 0.7 miles away); John M. Clayton (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dover.

Booker T. Washington School Marker in front of school image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Pete Skillman, March 25, 2024

3. Booker T. Washington School Marker in front of school

Booker T. Washington School image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Pfingsten, December 15, 2010

4. Booker T. Washington School

Credits. This page was last revised on July 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 17, 2010, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,585 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 25, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Wilmington, Delaware. 2. submitted on December 17, 2010, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 3. submitted on March 25, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Wilmington, Delaware. 4. submitted on December 17, 2010, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.