Renaissance Mayflower Hotel

Historical marker location:

1127 Connecticut Avenue Northwest, Downtown Washington, District of Columbia

( Marker is at the intersection of Connecticut Avenue Northwest and DeSales Street Northwest, on the right when traveling north on Connecticut Avenue Northwest.)

Marker installed: 1983

National Register of Historic Places

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.