Shaw in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Dunbar Theater / Southern Aid Society

1901-1903 Seventh Street, NW

— African American Heritage Trail, Washington DC —

Dunbar Theater/Southern Aid Society Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, June 21, 2015

1. Dunbar Theater/Southern Aid Society Marker

Inscription. The Southern Aid Society, one of the nation's oldest black insurance companies, opened this building as its headquarters in 1921. At the street level it housed the Dunbar Theatre, a popular movie house owned by the Murray family. Offices occupied the second floor, and apartments the third. The building's architect, Isaiah T. Hatton, graduated from M Street High School in 1905, then studied steam engineering and worked as a draftsman in the office of architect William Sidney Pittman. Hatton also designed the Whitelaw Hotel (1839 13th Street, NW), the Industrial Savings Bank (12th and U streets), the Murray Palace Casino (918 U Street), and a number of churches and private residences.

Erected by Cultural Tourism DC.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the African American Heritage Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1921.

Location. 38° 54.944′ N, 77° 1.31′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Shaw. Marker is at the intersection of 7th Street Northwest and T Street Northwest, on the right when traveling north on 7th Street Northwest. Touch for map. Marker

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is at or near this postal address: 1903 7th Street Northwest, Washington DC 20001, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Seventh and T (a few steps from this marker); Armed Resistance (within shouting distance of this marker); The Howard Theatre Walk of Fame (within shouting distance of this marker); Howard Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker); Cecilia Penny Scott (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named The Howard Theatre Walk of Fame (about 300 feet away); Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington (about 300 feet away); Chris Pyrate + The Shay (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.

More about this marker.
[Caption:]
Marshall Murray, in front of his Dunbar Theatre
Scurlock Studio Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, June 21, 2015

2. Dunbar Theater/Southern Aid Society Marker

1893 - Southern Aid Society of Virginia - 1920 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, June 21, 2015

3. 1893 - Southern Aid Society of Virginia - 1920

Dunbar Theater Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, June 21, 2015

4. Dunbar Theater Sign

Dunbar Theater Marquee image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, June 21, 2015

5. Dunbar Theater Marquee

Dunbar Theater/Southern Aid Society Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, June 21, 2015

6. Dunbar Theater/Southern Aid Society Building

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, June 21, 2015

7. Dunbar Theater/Southern Aid Society Building

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, June 21, 2015

8. Doorway

Southern Aid Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, June 21, 2015

9. Southern Aid Building

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 548 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on June 27, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.