Before the National Air and Space Museum opened

Historical marker location:

950 Independence Avenue Southwest, The National Mall, District of Columbia

( Marker can be reached from Independence Avenue Southwest west of 7th Street Southwest, on the right when traveling west.)

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.