Charles Sumner School Museum & Archives

Charles Sumner School Museum & Archives Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Charles Sumner School Museum & Archives, History Museum, 1201 17th Street NW, Washington D.C., DC.

This historic site was one of the first public schools in the nation for African American children and currently houses records and artifacts related to DC Public School history and serves as a cultural venue, hosting programs, events, and exhibitions.

Please join us on Thursday, June 25, 2026 at 6pm to kick off the 2026 Hurlbut-Walker Memorial Research Forum Series.This...
06/15/2026

Please join us on Thursday, June 25, 2026 at 6pm to kick off the 2026 Hurlbut-Walker Memorial Research Forum Series.

This month's forum is in collaboration with the DC History Center and features Rhonda Henderson, who will present on a history of her alma mater, Benjamin Banneker Academic High School.

Rhonda began researching the history of Banneker as a Fellow with Humanities DC, where she explored the youth advocacy for a new Banneker High School Building. She will present on how this project continues to develop and what she has discovered in the Sumner Museum collections that prove the 2019 advocacy was a culmination of nearly four decades of strident parent and student advocacy. What lies in the Sumner Museum archives is critical in relaying the original intention of Banneker High School, and the decades long pursuit for facilitates commensurate with Superintendent Vincent Reed’s vision. These uncovered voices raise questions about educational equity with which we continue to grapple.

Fittingly, the first session will be held in DC History Center's "Class Action" Exhibit.

Please register here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-history-of-benjamin-banneker-high-school-featuring-rhonda-henderson-tickets-1991936260978?aff=oddtdtcreator


REMINDER: PROPOSALS DUE APRIL 17, 2026HURLBUT-WALKER MEMORIAL RESEARCH FORUM IS BACK!We are looking forward to reviving ...
04/10/2026

REMINDER: PROPOSALS DUE APRIL 17, 2026

HURLBUT-WALKER MEMORIAL RESEARCH FORUM IS BACK!

We are looking forward to reviving the Hurlbut-Walker Memorial Research Forum this summer in-person! If you are interested in sharing some of the research you have conducted on DC Public Education using the Sumner Archives or other collections in the city, please submit your proposals to us by April 17, 2026.
Hurlbut-Walker Memorial Research Forum:
CALL FOR PROPOSALS
We are accepting proposals through April 17, 2026 for our annual summer research forum with the following objectives:
Honor the Life, Memory, and Contributions of Richard L. Hurlbut and James D. Walker.
Introduce and Engage the public with aspects of the Sumner Museum Collection.
Promote the work and valued research of individuals who have used the Sumner Archives as one of their major resources for a finished work; i.e. book, dissertation, film, community project, personal project, etc.
Facilitate lively discussion about the culture, history, and legacy of DC Public Education.
The summer forum will occur monthly, June-August from 6:00-8:00pm in-person. Specific dates TBD. The forum is free and open to the public.
HOW TO SUBMIT:
If you are interested in being a featured speaker, please submit a summary of what you would like to present in 300 words or less. Be specific when referencing the completed work or if the work is in-progress. This includes, but is not limited to book, film, dissertation, thesis, community project, oral history project, etc. Your selected presentation must include significant use of the Sumner Museum Collection as a resource.

All submissions must include your name, mailing address, e-mail address, and professional/organizational affiliation.

For consideration, please e-mail your submission by C.O.B. April 17, 2026 to [email protected]. Notifications will be sent out by May 1, 2026.

We look forward to another outstanding series!

Class Action Reads! Nothing Less Than EqualityJoin the DC History Center for a highly anticipated lecture from historian...
03/30/2026

Class Action Reads! Nothing Less Than Equality

Join the DC History Center for a highly anticipated lecture from historian Tikia K. Hamilton about her new book Nothing Less Than Equality: The Battle over Segregated Education in the Nation’s Capital.

DATE & TIME
Tue, Mar 31, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

LOCATION
DC History Center (801 K Street NW)

We are sharing this on behalf of our friends at DC History Center and in support of one of our long-time researchers. CONGRATUALTIONS ON THE RELEASE OF YOUR BOOK, Tikia K. Hamilton!

For more information on how to attend the program and purchase" Nothing Less Than Equality: The Battle Over Segregated Education in the Nation’s Capital" written by Dr. Tikia K. Hamilton, please visit the DC History Center website: https://dchistory.org/events/

While you visit, take a look at all the exciting events and programming offered at the DC History Center over the upcoming months!



BETTY BROOKSBetty Brooks was a student and educator in DC Public Schools. She attended Shaw Junior High School and Dunba...
03/09/2026

BETTY BROOKS

Betty Brooks was a student and educator in DC Public Schools. She attended Shaw Junior High School and Dunbar High School, and later attended Miner Teacher’s College in D.C. Brooks was among the first teachers to enter integrated classrooms, and quickly became beloved and respected by parents, faculty, and students. After spending a brief time at what is now Oyster-Adams Middle School, Brooks was selected to teach at the Amidon Elementary School. A lifelong choir singer and lover of activities, the children in Ms. Brooks’ classes fondly remember music and class trips as central to their experiences. Her classroom was the research site for “many exciting visits” by author Carl F. Hansen, for his 1962 book, The Amidon Elementary School: A Successful Demonstration of Basic Education.” In this way, she contributed to a new era of public-school education, helping to shape not only children but systems.

Ms. Brooks would go on to become a principal for DCPS schools, and after retirement, remained heavily involved in the cultivation of youth education through establishing scholarships for Dunbar students. Brooks also was known as an avid tennis player and trained DC youngsters in the sport well after her retirement.

Ms. Brooks passed peacefully in June of 2015.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives
1) Betty Brooks With Students
2) Betty Brooks at Dunbar Alumni Reunion
3) Betty Brooks featured in the Varsity, Miner Teachers College
4) Betty Brooks with colleagues at Amidon ES



LUVENIA A. GEORGE, Ph.D.Luvenia A. George was a music educator and ethnomusicologist who greatly contributed to the land...
03/05/2026

LUVENIA A. GEORGE, Ph.D.

Luvenia A. George was a music educator and ethnomusicologist who greatly contributed to the landscape of music education in Washington, DC. Born in Chicago Illinois, Dr. George graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Howard University. She then went on to receive a Master's and Ph.D. in Music Education and Ethnomusicology from the University of Maryland, College Park, and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. After making Washington D.C. her home in 1953, she began her career as a teacher in DCPS, using her expertise to teach every level of from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Among her many accolades as an educator, Dr. George led the Wilson High School choir to compete in Vienna, Austria. This achievement made the choir the very first DC public school to compete in the prestigious competition.

Dr. George’s accomplishments extend beyond the K-12 classroom, as she was a beloved visiting lecturer in universities nationwide. After retiring from DC Public Schools, she joined the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in the Program in African American Culture. There she acted as a consultant on major exhibits, contributed to education kits, and directed music programs. Dr. George also co-authored a renowned curriculum kit, which would become a national model for cross cultural music education.

Dr. George passed at age 94 on December 28th, 2024.

Phot Credit: Courtesy of Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives
1) Dr. Luvenia A. George
2) Dr. Luvenia George Austrian Program (front and back)
3) Dr. Luvenia George Choir
4) Dr. Luvenia George with Fayard Nicholas
5) Dr. Luvenia George Directing Choir
6) Dr. Luvenia George with Choir



HURLBUT-WALKER MEMORIAL RESEARCH FORUM IS BACK!We are reviving the Hurlbut-Walker Memorial Research Forum this summer in...
03/04/2026

HURLBUT-WALKER MEMORIAL RESEARCH FORUM IS BACK!

We are reviving the Hurlbut-Walker Memorial Research Forum this summer in-person! If you are interested in sharing some of the research you have conducted on DC Public Education using the Sumner Archives or other collections in the city, please submit your proposals to us by April 17, 2026.

CALL FOR PROPOSALS
We are accepting proposals through April 17, 2026

HOW TO SUBMIT:
If you are interested in being a featured speaker, please submit a summary of what you would like to present in 300 words or less. Be specific when referencing the completed work or if the work is in-progress. This includes, but is not limited to book, film, dissertation, thesis, community project, oral history project, etc. Your selected presentation must include significant use of the Sumner Museum Collection as a resource.

All submissions must include your name, mailing address, e-mail address, and professional/organizational affiliation.

For consideration, please e-mail your submission by C.O.B. April 17, 2026 to [email protected]. Notifications will be sent out by May 1, 2026.

OBJECTIVES
Honor the Life, Memory, and Contributions of Richard L. Hurlbut and James D. Walker.
Introduce and Engage the public with aspects of the Sumner Museum Collection.
Promote the work and valued research of individuals who have used the Sumner Archives as one of their major resources for a finished work; i.e. book, dissertation, film, community project, personal project, etc.
Facilitate lively discussion about the culture, history, and legacy of DC Public Education.
The summer forum will occur monthly, June-August from 6:00-8:00pm in-person. Specific dates TBD. The forum is free and open to the public.

We look forward to another outstanding series!

03/03/2026

The theme of Women's History Month in 2026 is “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future.” This theme celebrates the diverse contributions of women who are leading sustainability efforts across environmental, economic, educational, and social justice movements.

Over the course of this month, we will highlight a number of DC's Educational Heroines.



CALLING ALL SUMNER SCHOOL ALUMNI AND AFFILIATES!We are excited to announce that we are collaborating with The Story of O...
03/02/2026

CALLING ALL SUMNER SCHOOL ALUMNI AND AFFILIATES!

We are excited to announce that we are collaborating with The Story of Our Schools to develop a permanent interpretive exhibit on the history and impact of Charles Sumner School! This will be the first exhibit fully exploring the history of our historic site. We plan to open the exhibit in Fall of 2027 to mark the Museum’s 40th Anniversary.
We need your help to build the story. If you fit one or more of these categories, please reach out to us at [email protected] or call 202-730-0478.

-Sumner School Alumni (attended Sumner School as a student)
-Engaged with/visited Sumner School as a student
-Has a family member living or deceased who attended or taught at Sumner School
-Have artifacts or other memorabilia related to Sumner School
-How You Can Help:

-Donate: Gift your item permanently to the Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives.
-Scan/Photograph: Allow us to digitize your photos or documents—you keep the original!
-Oral History: Schedule a recording session to share your story.

We look forward to learning about your memories made at Sumner School!

A CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION! We turn 40 years old this November! Throughout the year, we'll share notable Anniversary Momen...
02/27/2026

A CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION!

We turn 40 years old this November!

Throughout the year, we'll share notable Anniversary Moments from our four decades of existence. Here's where we're kicking it off:

THE SUMNER BELL

We have reclaimed the title of our public communication, 'The Sumner Bell' which has not been used since 2002. From this issue forward, our newsletter will be referred to as 'The Sumner Bell.' From 1987 until 2002, the Museum issued 'The Sumner Bell' to inform public stakeholders of exhibitions and programs that were taking place at the Museum. We have the full run of them as part of our research collection and also documenting our institutional history.
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Address

1201 17th Street NW
Washington D.C., DC
20036

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

(202) 730-0478

Website

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