Newark in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
New London Avenue School
Photographed By Bill Pfingsten, January 9, 2016
1. New London Avenue School Marker
Inscription.
New London Avenue School. . The first documented public school for African-American youth in the Newark community was established in 1867 by the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands. This was one of several schools established in Delaware during the post-Civil War "reconstruction" period through this federal government program, which was designed to assist African-Americans in former slave states. In 1922 a new school housing grades 1-8 was built here on land purchased from John Nields. There were four classrooms on the first floor and a lunchroom in the basement. Funding for construction was provided by P. S. duPont and the Delaware School Auxiliary Association. The building functioned as a school until integration took place in 1958. The school and surrounding property, also known as "School Hill", was an important meeting place for neighborhood residents for social and recreational gatherings as well. In 1961, the City of Newark purchased the building and grounds. Significant renovations took place and the New London Community Center opened in 1970. In 1977, the building was renamed in honor of George M. Wilson, a leader in improving housing conditions for members of Newark's African-American community and former member of Newark's City Council.
The first documented public school for African-American youth in the Newark community was established in 1867 by the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands. This was one of several schools established in Delaware during the post-Civil War "reconstruction" period through this federal government program, which was designed to assist African-Americans in former slave states. In 1922 a new school housing grades 1-8 was built here on land purchased from John Nields. There were four classrooms on the first floor and a lunchroom in the basement. Funding for construction was provided by P. S. duPont and the Delaware School Auxiliary Association. The building functioned as a school until integration took place in 1958. The school and surrounding property, also known as "School Hill", was an important meeting place for neighborhood residents for social and recreational gatherings as well. In 1961, the City of Newark purchased the building and grounds. Significant renovations took place and the New London Community Center opened in 1970. In 1977, the building was renamed in honor of George M. Wilson, a leader in improving housing conditions for members of Newark's African-American community and former member of Newark's City Council.
Erected 2008 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number NC-183.)
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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 year for this entry is 1867.
Location. 39° 41.371′ N, 75° 45.653′ W. Marker is in Newark, Delaware, in New Castle County. Marker is on New London Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 303 New London Road, Newark DE 19711, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 9, 2016, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 454 times since then and 36 times this year. Last updated on August 13, 2020, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos:1, 2. submitted on January 9, 2016, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.
