U Street Corridor in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The True Reformer Building
City Within a City
— Greater U Street Heritage Trail —
The daily lives of residents of this historic African American community were woven together through hundreds of social and civic organizations--fraternal organizations, clubs, school alumni associations, civic associations and the like. The grand 5-story, Italianate building at the southwest corner of 12th and U Streets, known as the True Reformers Hall and later the Pythian Temple, was the setting for many of their activities. Completed in 1903, it was among the grandest buildings in the nation to have been designed, built and financed by African Americans.
The Order of True Reformers based in Richmond, Virginia, provided insurance and other benefits for its members. The organization built this building at a cost of $100,000, to symbolize the achievements of African Americans in a prominent place in the nation's capital. It was designed by John A. Lankford, the city's first registered African American architect, who went on to national prominence as the architect for African Methodist Episcopal churches across the country. In 1906, Lankford said, "being in Washington, it stands out to the civilized world as an example of what the Negro can do and has done with his brain, skill, and money."
Duke Ellington played one of his first paid performances with his own band here. Its lofty, second floor auditorium provided the setting for debutante balls, sorority and fraternity dances, and from 1938, for basketball and other activities of the Police Boys Club No. 2. The First Separate Battalion, an African American reserve unit that served with distinction in World War I, drilled on the ground floor.
Today it is home to the Public Welfare Foundation, which shares the original mission of the True Reformers in dedicating itself to the well-being of people and communities in need.
Erected by Cultural Tourism DC. (Marker Number 2.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Charity & Public Work • Entertainment • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations. In addition, it is included in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, and the Greater U Street Heritage Trail series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1903.
Location. 38° 55.026′ N, 77° 1.701′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in U Street Corridor. Marker is at the intersection of U Street Northwest and 12th Street Northwest, on the right when traveling west on U Street Northwest. Marker is on the north side of U Street, directly across from the True Reformer Building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1203 U Street Northwest, Washington DC 20009, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Ben's Chili Bowl / Minnehaha Theater (within shouting distance of this marker); Lincoln Theatre and Lincoln Colonnade (within shouting distance of this marker); Industrial Bank of Washington (within shouting distance of this marker); Marlon Francisco Morales (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); You Had To Wear a Tie (about 300 feet away); New Negro Alliance's Sanitary Grocery Protest Site (about 400 feet away); "We had everything we needed right here." (about 400 feet away); Louise Burrell Miller Residence (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
More about this marker.
[photo captions:]
John Anderson Lankford, Washington's first registered African American architect, designed the True Reformer Building in 1902.
Duke Ellington, seen here with his band about 1930 at Louis Thomas's cabaret at 9th and R, played his first paid performance at the True Reformer Building.
Boys Club members exercise in the second floor auditorium.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 29, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 4,008 times since then and 67 times this year. Last updated on March 7, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1. submitted on May 29, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 2. submitted on July 24, 2016, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 29, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 7, 8. submitted on January 23, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.