Volunteerism and Valor

Historical marker location:

1402 31st Street Northwest, Georgetown, District of Columbia

( Marker is at the intersection of O Street Northwest and 31st Street Northwest, on the right when traveling west on O Street Northwest.)

The District was the site of the first U.S. public school for black students: The M Street School (later known as Dunbar High School) was founded in 1870 and was the first public school in the United States for black students. The school became known for its high academic standards and produced many notable alumni, including civil rights leader and educator Mary McLeod Bethune.