Franklin School, Public school building in Franklin Square, Washington DC, United States.
The Franklin School features red brick walls, rounded arches, and a prominent central tower designed by architect Adolf Cluss in the German Rundbogenstil style.
Constructed between 1865 and 1869, this educational facility represented the first implementation of free universal public education in Washington DC during the post-Civil War period.
The building contains a Great Hall with original architectural trompe l'oeil frescoes and twin staircases that reflected the gender separation practices of the nineteenth century.
The Franklin School currently houses the Planet Word Museum, which opened in 2020 and focuses on language education through interactive exhibitions and programs.
Alexander Graham Bell conducted his first wireless communication experiments at this location in 1880, using light beams to transmit voice messages with his photophone invention.
Location: Washington, D.C.
Architects: Adolf Cluss
Architectural style: Rundbogenstil
GPS coordinates: 38.90169,-77.03046
Latest update: May 14, 2025 12:53
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