Mill Creek Hundred in Hockessin in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
First African-American Schoolhouse In Hockessin
Photographed by Bill Pfingsten, April 24, 2016
1. First African-American Schoolhouse In Hockessin Marker
Inscription.
First African-American Schoolhouse In Hockessin. . Local tradition states that a school was present at this location as early as 1829. However, in 1878 the first documented school for African-Americans in Hockessin was established in this vicinity. The school was funded and built primarily by the local African-American community and church. Additional support for materials, books, and the teacher's salary was provided by the Delaware Association for the Moral Improvement and Education of Colored People. Students typically attended school from two to five months between November and March to coincide with the agricultural off-season. Depending on the time of year, enrolled students varied from less than 10 to approximately 40. In 1891 responsibility for funding Delaware public schools was transferred to county superintendants and the school was placed in District 107. The land on which the school stood was sold in 1900 by Edward McGovern to Lodge No. 4 of the Colored American Protective Association. Shortly after, the land was conveyed to School District 107. In 1920 the original school was replaced by Hockessin School #107C (colored) on nearby Mill Creek Road, a school funded by P.S. duPont's Delaware School Auxiliary. The original 1878 schoolhouse is now incorporated into a private residence on this property.
Local tradition states that a school was present at this location as early as 1829. However, in 1878 the first documented school for African-Americans in Hockessin was established in this vicinity. The school was funded and built primarily by the local African-American community and church. Additional support for materials, books, and the teacher's salary was provided by the Delaware Association for the Moral Improvement and Education of Colored People. Students typically attended school from two to five months between November and March to coincide with the agricultural off-season. Depending on the time of year, enrolled students varied from less than 10 to approximately 40. In 1891 responsibility for funding Delaware public schools was transferred to county superintendants and the school was placed in District 107. The land on which the school stood was sold in 1900 by Edward McGovern to Lodge No. 4 of the Colored American Protective Association. Shortly after, the land was conveyed to School District 107. In 1920 the original school was replaced by Hockessin School #107C (colored) on nearby Mill Creek Road, a school funded by P.S. duPont's Delaware School Auxiliary. The original 1878 schoolhouse is now incorporated into a private residence on this property.
Erected 2012 by Delaware Public
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Archives. (Marker Number NC-194.)
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 1829.
Location. 39° 47.092′ N, 75° 42.01′ W. Marker is in Hockessin, Delaware, in New Castle County. It is in Mill Creek Hundred. It is on Grant Avenue, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 634 Grant Avenue, Hockessin DE 19707, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Wilmington and in Greater Philadelphia. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic and on the Delmarva Peninsula. 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 and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
2. First African-American Schoolhouse In Hockessin Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2016, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 695 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 27, 2016, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.
