Phillips School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Phillips School |
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| General information | |
| Location | Beacon Hill |
| Address | Private Residence: Pinckney and Anderson |
| Town or city | Boston |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 42°21′32″N 71°04′04″W / 42.358974°N 71.067835°W |
The Phillips School was an important school in Beacon Hill, Boston, Massachusetts. It was built in 1824. At first, it was a school only for white children.
But in 1855, a new law in Massachusetts made schools open to everyone. The Phillips School then became one of Boston's first schools to welcome all students, no matter their race. Today, the building is a private home. You can learn about its history on the Black Heritage Trail.
Contents
School History
English High School
The building that became the Phillips School first opened as the English High School. It was built between 1823 and 1825. Its design was like many other schools in Boston during that time.
Phillips Grammar School
In 1844, the building became a grammar school. It was named the Phillips Grammar School. It was named after John Phillips, who was Boston's very first mayor. John Phillips was also the father of Wendell Phillips, a famous leader who worked to end slavery.
This school taught children from nearby families, many of whom were wealthy. At that time, there was a separate public school for African American children called the Abiel Smith School. The Phillips School was known as one of the best schools in Boston.
African American people in Boston worked very hard to get equal chances for education. For example, in 1847, a man named Benjamin tried to enroll his daughter in a white school, and then at Phillips School, but he was not successful.
Finally, in 1855, the state of Massachusetts passed a law. This law said that all schools must be open to students of every race. After this law, the Phillips School became one of the first schools in Boston to have both white and Black students.
Wendell Phillips School
In 1863, the Phillips School moved to a new building on Phillips Street. It was renamed the Wendell Phillips School. This new name honored Wendell Phillips, the son of the first mayor, John Phillips. Wendell Phillips was a very important leader in the movement to end slavery.
In the early 1870s, a woman named Elizabeth Smith started teaching at the Phillips School. She was the daughter of another important abolitionist, John J. Smith. Elizabeth Smith was likely the first African American teacher in an integrated public school in Boston.
Black Heritage Trail
The Phillips School building is an important historical site. It is part of the Black Heritage Trail in Beacon Hill. This trail helps people learn about the history of African Americans in Boston.
The National Park Service explains why these places are important: The historic buildings on the Black Heritage Trail were homes, businesses, schools, and churches. They belonged to a strong Black community. This community worked together to help those who faced unfair treatment in Boston and slavery across the country. They fought for the equality and freedom that America promised.
Gallery
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Engraving of the second home of The English High School, 1824. This was the first building in North America built just for a high school. It was later renamed Phillips School.
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Phillips School, from a book called Sketches of Boston, Past and Present, 1851.
