Dupont Circle in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives
17th and M Streets, NW
— African American Heritage Trail, Washington DC —
Photographed By Craig Swain, June 2, 2008
1. Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives Marker
This school, completed in 1872, was one of three public elementary schools built for DC's black children just after the Civil War. Its name honors U.S. Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts, who fought to abolish slavery here, pay black soldiers the same as whites, establish the Freedman's Bureau, and provide education to all children. Designed by Adolf Cluss, Sumner opened as the city's most modern school building. After it closed in 1978, Sumner School was saved from demolition through an organized community effort. Today it serves as a museum on public education and the repository of the DC Public School System's official archives.
Erected by Cultural Tourism DC.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. In addition, it is included in the African American Heritage Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1872.
Location. 38° 54.356′ N, 77° 2.298′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Dupont Circle. Marker is
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Nuns of the Battlefield (about 500 feet away); Daniel Webster Memorial (about 600 feet away); The Elliott Coues House (about 600 feet away); General Federation of Women’s Clubs (about 600 feet away); Admiral Miguel Grau (about 700 feet away); William Howard Taft (about 700 feet away); Winfield Scott (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
More about this marker. On the right side of the marker is a photograph of a classroom captioned, Sewing class in a DC public elementary school, around 1899. From the Francis Benjamin Johnson Collection, Library of Congress.
Also see . . . Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives, African American Heritage Trail. Cultural Tourism DC website entry (Submitted on June 18, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Craig Swain, June 2, 2008
2. The School is on the National Register of Historic Places
Photographed By Craig Swain, June 2, 2008
3. Entrance to the School Museum
Photographed By Craig Swain, June 2, 2008
4. Charles Sumner School
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, July 20, 2016
5. Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives
The M Street side of the Museum and Archives, seen roughly from the intersection of M and 17th Streets.
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, July 20, 2016
6. Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives, M Street entrance
This entrance, normally closed, includes a medallion to District of Colombia Public Schools (left) and a duplicate National Register of Historic Places marker (right).
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, May 21, 2010
7. Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 22, 2018
8. Sign on the grounds of the Charles Sumner School Museum & Archives
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 6, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,950 times since then and 97 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 6, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 5, 6. submitted on July 20, 2016, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 7. submitted on May 22, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 8. submitted on June 22, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
