New Castle in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Booker T. Washington School No. 109C
Photographed By Bill Pfingsten, January 18, 2016
1. Booker T. Washington School No. 109C Marker
Inscription.
Booker T. Washington School No. 109C. . Built in 1923 with funding provided by Pierre S. duPont for schools in Delaware, this school replaced New Castle’s first school for “colored” students that was built in 1867 on Williams Street. The Delaware School Auxiliary Association provided $23,405.97 to cover the entire cost of the land and the construction of the two room brick building. Grades one through eight were instructed by two teachers. Notable faculty included Bertha Howard Battle, who taught grades one through four from 1923 until 1938, and Albion T. Unthank, who taught grades five through eight from 1926 until his death in 1953. During segregation, this school was the center of educational and social activities for the African-American residents of New Castle. Booker T. Washington School was used as an elementary school until 1958. It was used for a variety of educational programs until the early 1980s. Following a long period of vacancy, the building was acquired in 2005 by the New Castle Senior Center for community use.
Built in 1923 with funding provided by Pierre S. duPont for schools in Delaware, this school replaced New Castle’s first school for “colored” students that was built in 1867 on Williams Street. The Delaware School Auxiliary Association provided $23,405.97 to cover the entire cost of the land and the construction of the two room brick building. Grades one through eight were instructed by two teachers. Notable faculty included Bertha Howard Battle, who taught grades one through four from 1923 until 1938, and Albion T. Unthank, who taught grades five through eight from 1926 until his death in 1953. During segregation, this school was the center of educational and social activities for the African-American residents of New Castle. Booker T. Washington School was used as an elementary school until 1958. It was used for a variety of educational programs until the early 1980s. Following a long period of vacancy, the building was acquired in 2005 by the New Castle Senior Center for community use.
Erected 2005 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number NC-145.)
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 1923.
Location.
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39° 39.52′ N, 75° 34.068′ W. Marker is in New Castle, Delaware, in New Castle County. Marker is on South Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400 South Street, New Castle DE 19720, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 13, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2016, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 437 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on January 19, 2016, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.
