Sumnerite African-American History Museum and Multipurpose Center

1016 Avery St, P.O. Box 4426 Parkersburg, West Virginia 26104 (304) 428-0503

If You Respect Your History, Then You Respect Yourself

The Historic Sumner School

Sumner High School, established in 1862, was the first free school in West Virginia, two years before the state had a public school system.

A handful of farsighted businessmen envisioned a school where learning was free. These men were Robert W. Simmons, Matthew Thomas, Robert Thomas, William Smith and William Sargent.

Following through with their dream, they founded a school where children of their race could attend without charge, the first not only in the city and the state, but also the entire South. Robert W. Simmons, a barber by trade, rode horseback to the nation's capital and secured the support needed to open the school from President Abraham Lincoln. Simmons is the great grandfather of Sumnerite Ms. Ellen Lacy, Class of '29.

Exhibits

• Sumner School Memorabilia (1200 pictures and artifacts)
  
• First Black Families of Parkersburg
  
• Underground Railroad
  
• Black History of Early Parkersburg (slide presentation)
  
• Tours arranged on request

Services

• "Connections and Directions" is a recently initiated welcoming service to benefit new families moving into our area. For more information call (304) 422-0985 or 422-2695
  
• Black Calendar of Events
  
• Educational Service Information
  
• Free Tutoring Service: All Grades and Subjects
  
• Social Organization and Social Service Information
  
• Rooms are available for meetings, conferences, workshops, etc.

Join us for the Annual Sumner Summer Festival Jazz & Rib Fest!
3rd Weekend in September