This bill establishes the Justice Thurgood Marshall National Historic Site at his former elementary school in Baltimore, MD, to preserve and interpret his legacy, while the school will continue to be owned and operated by the Beloved Community Services Corporation with support from the National Park System.
Kweisi Mfume
Representative
MD-7
The "Justice Thurgood Marshall National Historic Site Establishment Act of 2025" establishes Justice Thurgood Marshall's elementary school, Public School 103 in Baltimore, Maryland, as the Justice Thurgood Marshall National Historic Site, affiliated with the National Park System. The Beloved Community Services Corporation will continue to own and manage the site, while the Secretary of the Interior may provide technical and financial assistance. This act aims to preserve and interpret Justice Marshall's historic contributions without authorizing the federal acquisition of the property or assuming financial responsibility for its operation. Necessary funds are authorized to be appropriated for the implementation of this Act.
Thurgood Marshall's Elementary School Becomes National Historic Site: New Law Honors Civil Rights Legacy
The "Justice Thurgood Marshall National Historic Site Establishment Act of 2025" officially designates the former Public School 103 in Baltimore, Maryland, as a National Historic Site. This is where Thurgood Marshall, the first African American Supreme Court Justice, went to elementary school. The bill aims to preserve Marshall's legacy and educate the public about his massive contributions to civil rights, including his win in Brown v. Board of Education (1954) that ended segregation in public schools. (Sec. 2)
Honoring a Legacy
The Act establishes the school building at 1315 Division Street, Baltimore, MD, as the Justice Thurgood Marshall National Historic Site (Sec. 3). What's cool here is that the Beloved Community Services Corporation, which already owns and runs the school as a museum, will continue to manage the site. Think of it like keeping the local experts in charge, but with some added national recognition. (Sec. 4)
Keeping It Local, with a Little Help
While the site becomes part of the National Park System, it's an "affiliated area." This means the feds aren't taking over. The Beloved Community Services Corporation stays in the driver's seat, handling day-to-day operations. The Secretary of the Interior (the person who oversees the National Park Service) can offer technical and financial assistance for things like marketing and preservation – think of it as expert advice and maybe some grant money to help keep things running smoothly. But, importantly, the federal government won't be responsible for the site's operating costs. (Sec. 4)
What It Means in the Real World
This bill is a win for preserving history and making it accessible. Imagine school groups, researchers, and anyone interested in civil rights history being able to visit the actual school where a young Thurgood Marshall started his journey. It's a tangible connection to a pivotal figure in American history. The Beloved Community Services Corporation gets a boost in visibility and potential resources, while the public gets a new, nationally recognized place to learn about a crucial part of our past. It's a smart way to honor Marshall's legacy while keeping the management local and community-focused. The necessary funding will be authorized to make this happen. (Sec. 5)