New London Avenue School (NC-183) - Newark, DE
Posted by: 
Don.Morfe
N 39° 41.371 W 075° 45.653
18S E 434757 N 4393574
The first documented public school for African-American youth in the Newark community was established in 1867 by the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands. The marker is mounted on the wall at 303 New London Road, Newark, DE 19711
Waymark Code: WM119ZD
Location: Delaware, United States
Date Posted: 09/14/2019
Views: 2
The text on the historical marker is: New London Avenue School-The first documented public school for African-American youth in the Newark community was established in 1867 by the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands. This was one of several schools established in Delaware during the post Civil War "reconstruction" period through this federal government program, which was designed to assist African-Americans in former slave states. In 1922 a new school housing grades 1-8 was built here on land purchased from John Nields. There were four classrooms on the first floor and a lunchroom in the basement. Funding for construction was provided by P. S. duPont and the Delaware School Auxiliary Association. The building functioned as a school until integration took place in 1958. The school and surrounding property, also known as "School Hill", was an important meeting place for neighborhood residents for social and recreational gatherings as well. In 1961, the City of Newark purchased the building and grounds. Significant renovations took place and the New London Community Center opened in 1970. In 1977, the building was renamed in honor of George M. Wilson, a leader in improving housing conditions for members of Newark's African-American community and former member of Newark's City Council.
Erected 2008 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number NC-183.)
Visit Instructions:
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