McDonogh 19 Elementary School, school building in New Orleans, United States
McDonogh 19 Elementary School is a school building in New Orleans that now serves as an educational and remembrance center. The restored structure houses exhibition spaces about desegregation history, offices of community organizations, and approximately 25 affordable apartments for residents aged 55 and older.
The school was originally reserved for white students until three Black girls arrived in 1960 for their first day, marking one of New Orleans' first desegregation efforts. After years of use, the building was damaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and remained empty for 15 years until reopened in 2022 as a memorial center by the Leona Tate Foundation.
The school carries McDonogh's name, a 19th century merchant, and became tied to a turning point in racial integration. Today visitors can see how the community has transformed this place into a center for learning and remembrance that honors those who fought for equal access to education.
The center is located in the Lower Ninth Ward and is best visited during daylight to fully appreciate the restored architecture and exhibition spaces. Plan at least an hour to explore the history and offerings of the site, and remember it functions as a working community space with residential units.
A surprising aspect is that one of the original students, Leona Tate, purchased the school decades later and transformed it into a memorial center. This personal connection makes the place a living example of how individuals can shape and reclaim history.
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