Advocates push to secure local, state and national landmark status for Charles Sumner High School

Mister Blackshear, representative of Protect, Restore, and Forever Celebrate (PRFC Inc.), told the Saint Louis Public Schools Board of Education on Aug. 26 that Charles Sumner High School should be designated a historic landmark at the city, state and national levels and that the effort would not impose a significant financial burden on district funds. "Without imposing any significant financial burden on Saint Louis Public Schools District funds," Blackshear said during his 10-minute presentation.

Supporters told the board why the designation matters. Sumner was founded in 1875 and, advocates said, is the oldest African American high school west of the Mississippi River; the building now at 4248 West Cottage dates to 1910. PRFC argued the schools history connects to major national events and that landmark status would increase visibility and open access to federal grants, federal tax incentives and National Park Service technical resources.

At a nut-graf level, advocates framed landmark status as a tool to preserve the building, expand heritage tourism and secure funding for repairs after tornado damage. The group said it hired a historian to prepare the national nomination and has local and national supporters, including the Sumner Alumni Association, the For The Veil organization, Congressman Wesley Bell, and historians John Wright and Dr. Amber Wiley.

Board members responded with positive remarks and questions about next steps. Vice President Hubbard and others thanked Blackshear for the history and urged moving quickly. The superintendent expressed personal support for the designation during the meeting but did not place a formal endorsement before the board for a vote.

The presentation outlined expected benefits of national historic designation: eligibility for National Park Service support, access to grant programs and historic tax incentives; the presenters emphasized that National Historic Landmark recognition does not itself require public access. Blackshears group, PRFC Inc., said the work to prepare nominations and background materials would proceed without using significant district funds.

No formal board action or vote was taken on the landmark request at the Aug. 26 work session. The item was a public presentation and Q&A; the board will decide whether to add any formal endorsement or action at a future meeting if the proponents request it.

Community members and district leaders who spoke praised the schools legacy and urged coordination with district staff and outside historians as the nomination moves forward. PRFC said next steps include completing a historian's report for the National Park Service and pursuing city and state landmark processes.