Unveiled Friday (7/17) afternoon, the state’s newest historical marker honors the site of Greenwood School 222-C, which served African American children during the era of segregated education.
Built in 1922 with support from philanthropist Pierre S. du Pont, the school provided elementary education and served as an important center for community life.
For many black families in the Greenwood area, the school was their only source of formal education for four decades. The landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education in 1954 led to the eventual desegregation of public schools.
The Greenwood School closed in 1962, fell into disrepair, and was later demolished.
“The school may be gone but this marker ensures that it will remain a part of our legacy,” said State Archivist Maegan Peterman, speaking at the unveiling ceremony.
The Delaware Public Archives operates the Historical Markers program as part of its mandate. Markers are placed at historically significant locations across the state.
Every new marker is the result of partnerships between the Delaware Public Archives, state legislators, and local community members. Funding for each marker comes as a result of a direct request to members of the General Assembly from interested individuals and organizations.
Bryant T. Bell, an alumnus of the school, applied for the marker and worked with western Sussex state lawmakers to move the project forward and secure the funding.
State Rep. Jesse Vanderwende (R-Greenwood, Bridgeville) and State Sen. Dave Wilson (R-Cedar Creek Hundred) jointly paid the $3,310 cost of the marker with appropriations from their Community Transportation Fund allocations.
