Payne ES, built in 1896, burned in 1983

Kimberly Springle, Executive Director, Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives, and Jen Harris, Executive Director, The Story of Our Schools presented a virtual Preservation Cafe, The Story Behind Our Schools, Tuesday, January 17, 2023. A recording of the event is now available.

With more than 200 years of history, D.C. Public Schools are the anchors and reflections of the communities they serve. Join us for a conversation that dives into the history of public education in the District and the story behind our schools – how they began, how they affected our community, the imprints we can see today, and how we are preserving their history.

Payne ES, 2022

We hope you will join this engaging virtual discussion on the pivotal moments in the history of public education in the Nation’s Capital since 1804. The presenters focus on our Capitol Hill schools with a close examination of the history of Payne Elementary School in Ward 6. They use the student research the Story of Our Schools project recently unveiled, The Story of Daniel A. Payne and Our School.

Our CHRS Preservation Cafés are free to both CHRS members and non members.