Pleasant Plains in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Merriweather Home for Children
733 Euclid Street, NW
— African American Heritage Trail, Washington DC —
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, June 21, 2015
1. Merriweather Home for Children Marker
The National Association for the Relief of Destitute Colored Women and Children was established by an 1863 Act of Congress. Elizabeth Keckley (ca. 1818-1907), former slave and seamstress for Mary Todd Lincoln, was a founding member and spent her last days at the association's home. After Congress withdrew its support for the home in 1892, Mary Robinson Meriwether, a teacher at the Preparatory High School for Negro Youth, saved the facility. In 1930 it moved to this location and shifted its focus to children only. The name eventually changed to the Meriwether Home for Children. (The spelling has evolved to Merriweather.) The home was succeeded by the Key Day Care Center (1975-1998).
Erected by Cultural Tourism DC.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Charity & Public Work. In addition, it is included in the African American Heritage Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1863.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 38° 55.449′ N, 77° 1.424′ W. Marker was in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It was in Pleasant Plains. Marker was on Euclid Street Northwest west
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Beyond the Basics (within shouting distance of this marker); Miner Teachers College (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); "The Divine Nine Help Shape Black American History" (about 500 feet away); The Burton W. Johnson House (about 500 feet away); The Lake So Blue (about 700 feet away); Along the "Nile Valley" (about 700 feet away); General Oliver O. Howard (about 700 feet away); Howard Hall (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
More about this marker.
[Image caption:]
Elizabeth Keckley
Library of Congress
Also see . . .
1. The Emergence Community Arts Collective. Collective website homepage (Submitted on December 29, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)
2. Merriweather Home for Children/Elizabeth Keckly, African American Heritage Trail. Cultural History DC website entry (Submitted on December 29, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)
Additional commentary.
1. Merriweather Orphange
My siblings and I
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, June 21, 2015
2. Merriweather Home for Children Marker
— Submitted January 14, 2022, by Donna Lynn Humphreys of Chesapeake Beach, Maryland.
2. I was there
I was there in 1968 and was tormented. i was young, scared. The only thing that was good about it was I had my siblings. I live this nightmare all my life. I try too shake it but I can't. I am so glad this place closed.
— Submitted January 16, 2022, by Theresa Irene Chilton of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, June 21, 2015
3. Elizabeth Keckly (Keckley)
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, June 21, 2015
4. 733 Euclid Street
Today 733 Euclid is The Emergence Community Arts Collective.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, June 21, 2015
5. Banneker High School
Dress maker Elizabeth Keckly died on May 26, 1907 at the National Home for Destitute Colored Women and Children when it was located across Euclid Street where Banneker High School stands today.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 29, 2017
7. Sign at 770 Euclid Street NW
The
Emergence
Community
Arts
Collective
www.ecacollective.org
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 23, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 982 times since then and 59 times this year. Last updated on December 29, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 23, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 6, 7. submitted on December 29, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
