Legacy & Inheritance: A Free Panel Discussion on the Evolution of DC’s Teaching Schools

Due to the weather this event will now be virtual, please use this link to access the online program.

Thursday, February 20th marks the 174th anniversary of the University of the District of Columbia. In celebration, join the Heurich House Museum, the Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives, and the University of the District of Columbia from 6-8pm in the museum’s conservatory for “Legacy & Inheritance,” a free panel discussion on the evolution of DC’s teaching schools - from Myrtilla Miner’s “Normal School for Colored Girls” to today’s University of the District of Columbia. 

Myrtilla Miner was a leader in teacher training. In 1851 Myrtilla founded the first African-American teaching school for free African-American women and girls in DC, which is now the site of the Heurich House Museum. 

Myrtilla Miner’s school is the bedrock of education in DC: the money from the sale of her school funded Miner Teachers College, which taught the majority of DC’s 20th century public school teachers, and was also one of the schools that merged to become the University of the District of Columbia (UDC). 

The legacy that she created paved the way for education reform and practice in DC and the drive, commitment, and passion of teaching has been inherited by thousands of students and teachers after her.  

Speakers:

• Kimberly Springle, Executive Director, Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives
• Anika Burtin, Acting Associate Dean of Academics, University of the District of Columbia (UDC)
• Patricia Ford Neal, DC Teachers College Class of 1971; Longtime Public School Educator
• Rahshita Lowe-Watson, Kindergarten Teacher, DC Public Schools; 2025 DCPS Teacher of the Year Finalist
• Robert Rouse, candidate, Master of Arts in Teaching, UDC
• Natalie Davis, candidate, Master of Arts in Teaching, UDC

Moderated by: Amanda Huron, Associate Professor of Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, University of the District of Columbia (UDC)

Schedule: 

• 5:45 pm: Doors open
• 6:00 - 7:00 pm: Panel Discussion
• 7:00 - 7:30 pm: Q&A
• 7:30 - 8:00 pm: Mingling
• 8:00 pm: Event Ends

The program is free, but registration is required. The museum’s bar will be open with local craft beverages for guests to purchase prior to and after the program. 

CLICK HERE FOR TO REGISTER