National Press Club

Historical marker location:

1401 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Penn Quarter, District of Columbia

( Marker is on 14th Street Northwest west of Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest (U.S. 1), on the right when traveling south.)

Marker installed: 2004

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.