Historical Marker

5 West Main Street

Historical marker location:
5 West Main Street, New Market, Maryland
( Marker is on Main Street (Maryland Route 144) west of Prospect Street (Maryland Route 874), on the right when traveling west.)

Maryland was the first state to pass a law requiring free public education: In 1827, Maryland became the first state to pass a law requiring free public education for all children. The law was initially aimed at poor children, but eventually expanded to include all children regardless of their economic status.