Located off of Route 9 on Buttonwood Avenue in New Castle, the Buttonwood Colored School first opened in 1919 during the nation’s period of segregation to serve the needs of “colored” students growing up in the historically Black suburban neighborhood. The neighborhood got its name from the adjacent estate, Buttonwood Plantation, built by James Booth, Sr. in the early 1800s. Booth, a prominent statesman, and judge, played a critical role in the abolition of slavery. The first teacher at the school was James Coulborne. In 1926 a new one-room schoolhouse was built for students in grades 1-8 on land obtained from the Lukens Steel Company. Funding for construction was provided by P.S. DuPont and the Delaware School Auxiliary Association. Sylvester Woolford became the second instructor for all of the students in 1934. He was dearly loved by his students and made certain they got the best education possible under the circumstances. An additional classroom was added in 1938. When integration began in 1955, the school closed in 1957. It has since been refurbished and is now open as a public museum and community center. Learn more at https://www.buttonwoodschool.org/ #BlackHistoryMonth2021 #EquityCSD #powerofwecsd
WE Celebrate: Polktown
This African American community was located in Delaware City near the foot of the Reedy Point Bridge. Polktown was one of the earliest free black settlements in Delaware. It included a church, school, and many residences. Polktown land ownership was controlled by...
We Honor: African Union Church Cemetery
Located in Delaware City along the Mike Castle Trail, a half-acre of land was purchased by five trustees of the African Union Church in 1835 for $80 where a church, now razed, was built with only the cemetery remaining. The church and cemetery served residents of...
We Celebrate – Eugene Petty
Eugene Petty, a resident of Buttonwood, became the first African American Police Chief for the city of New Castle in 1975. In 1963 Petty began his career with the city as a part-time officer with the New Castle City Police (NCCPD), becoming a full-time officer in...