A National Museum

Historical marker location:

1300 Constitution Avenue Northwest, The National Mall, District of Columbia

( Marker can be reached from Constitution Avenue Northwest (U.S. 50) west of 12th Street Northwest, on the right when traveling east.)

Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Kenneth E. Behring Center.

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.