United States Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery

Historical marker location:

21 Harewood Rd NW, Old Soldiers Home, District of Columbia

( Marker is on Harewood Road Northwest, 0.1 miles south of Rock Creek Church Road Northwest, on the left when traveling south.)

History

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.