Charles Sumner School

The Charles Sumner School in Washington, D.C., is a historic building that opened in 1872 as one of the first schools for African American children. Named after the abolitionist senator Charles Sumner, the building, designed by architect Adolf Cluss, initially served as an elementary and high school as well as the city's first teacher-training institution for Black educators. The building also housed the administration of the then-segregated school system. After a comprehensive renovation in the 1980s, it was converted into the Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives. Today, visitors will find a small exhibit devoted to the history of African American education, along with the archives of the district's public schools. The building also offers space for artistic presentations by local artists and organizations. As part of the D.C. Women's Hall of Fame and a registered historic landmark, the site is an important destination for anyone researching local cultural history.