Renwick Gallery

Historical marker location:

1661 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Downtown Washington, District of Columbia

( Marker is on Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest east of 16th Street Northwest, on the left when traveling east.)

Marker installed: 1972

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.