The Black School House

Public education for the area's black youth began in the 1880's, when the original one room school was built on this property.  An 18 by 26 foot structure, it was typical of the school buildings of the time.  This structure was used until an education reform movement in the early 20th century identified the needs for more modern school facilities.

Led by philathropist Pierre S. DuPont, a new generation of more modern schools were built across Delaware for the education of black students.  The school in Christiana, one of the first, was personally dedicated by DuPont.  It was used until decreasing enrollment and then desegregation in thee 1950's ended its usefulness.  Although several attempts were made to refurbish the building for community use, it became abandoned and was nearly lost in a fire in February, 1990.

Another attempt is currently being made to restore the structure, but progress so far has been slow.