03/11/2025
The house in the first picture belonged to Emma V. Brown (2nd picture), a woman who dedicated her life to the education of African American children. Born in Georgetown in 1843, she was a student of Myrtilla Miner, a white woman who opened a school for black children with a grant from Henry Ward Beecher. Emma Brown went on to study at Oberlin College in Ohio. She returned to Georgetown after the Civil War broke out and started a school in her childhood home's basement. During the war, the City of Washington began setting up a public school system for black children, and Emma was appointed as a teacher at the Ebenezer Church (article in picture 3). Then, she was summarily dismissed without pay from her position at Ebenezer by a white board member in favor of a white teacher. She successfully sued the Board of Colored Schools for backpay of $70 for a month of work, then ended up with a new position at the John F. Cook school on O Street between 4th and 5th NW. In 1872, she was promoted to the position of Principal of the Sumner School, which sits at the intersection of 17th and M Street NW. (picture 4). She retired in 1879, having dedicated most of her life to the education and elevation of the black community of Washington, DC (picture 5). Learn more about her and other notable women who made a difference in the upcoming History of Black Georgetown tour, happening this Saturday, March 15th at 2pm! Tour lasts 2 hours, and tickets are available through link in bio, or at www.otmdc.com.
See full description of tours and prices at 
