One of the last slavery-era schools for Black children is now a protected landmark in NYC

One of the country’s last known “colored” schools is becoming a part of history. According to The New York Times, on Tuesday, New York City’s Landmarks Preservation Commission unanimously voted to preserve Colored School No. 4 and deem it a landmark. The yellow brick building on West 17th Street in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan was a school for Black children during the slavery era.

Historian Eric K. Washington proposed the idea of the location to be considered an official landmark in 2018. Over four years, his grassroots organization gained support from the community. Washington completed a petition with more than 2,800 signatures during his campaign.

A “delightfully exhausted” Washington told the NY Times, “My fingers are sore from being crossed all of this time.” He added that he was glad the city was protecting the building, rather than others making “mean” efforts to ban the teaching of Black history.

“I think that the fact that this school and what it represents is being landmarked in this major city will serve as an example to locales across the country, so I’m thrilled in that regard,” he said.

The outlet states Colored School No. 4 was built around 1849, and in 1860 it became one of eight public schools for Black students in Manhattan. The halls of the school have seen over 2,377 students. Under its new name, Grammar School No. 81, the school continued to serve Black children exclusively until the city closed segregated public schools 10 years later. The school was a safe space for Black students during the New York Draft Riots in 1863 and was the workplace of Sarah J.S. Tompkins Garnet, the first Black female principal to serve in the New York City public school system.

City officials have pledged a budget of $6 million to rehabilitate the school. Mayor Eric Adams provided a statement ensuring his commitment.

“We stand on the shoulders of the young men and women that attended this school, and while they may be gone, I am honored to ensure they will never be forgotten,” Adams said.

During a 2022 interview with NBC News, Washington shared that the “ideal outcome” of the landmark’s rehabilitation would “be turning it into a museum or lyceum of sorts, so people, especially tourists, could learn about the trajectory of African American experiences.”

The plan to restore Colored School No. 4 to its full glory is projected to be completed by 2027.

Martie Bowser is a journalist and public relations professional in Charlotte, NC. She enjoys amplifying the voices of POC and women that fill a void within their community. Her favorite things to cover include “person of interest” pieces, small business highlights, pop culture commentary, entertainment features, and everything about Beyoncé. Her bylines can be found in Blavity, Black Excellence, Signature Bride, Black Wall Street Times, and HipHop Weekly. Martie can be reached via email at martiebowser@detourxp.com.

This story was originally published May 25, 2023 at 2:20 PM with the headline "One of the last slavery-era schools for Black children is now a protected landmark in NYC."