This bill establishes the Justice Thurgood Marshall National Historic Site at his former elementary school in Baltimore, Maryland, to preserve and interpret his legacy, while ensuring the school remains under the ownership and management of the Beloved Community Services Corporation.
Chris Van Hollen
Senator
MD
The Justice Thurgood Marshall National Historic Site Establishment Act of 2025 establishes the Justice Thurgood Marshall National Historic Site at Public School 103 in Baltimore, Maryland, where Marshall attended elementary school. The Beloved Community Services Corporation will continue to own and manage the School and serve as the management entity for the Historic Site, with the National Park Service providing technical and financial assistance. This act aims to preserve and interpret Justice Marshall's historic contributions as an affiliated area of the National Park System, without authorizing the Secretary of Interior to acquire the School or assume financial responsibility for its operation.
Thurgood Marshall's Elementary School Becomes National Historic Site: Act Preserves Civil Rights Legacy in Baltimore
The Justice Thurgood Marshall National Historic Site Establishment Act of 2025 officially designates Public School 103 in Baltimore, where Thurgood Marshall attended elementary school, as a National Historic Site. This move aims to preserve and highlight Marshall's massive contributions to American civil rights – from leading the NAACP Legal Defense Fund to arguing landmark cases like Brown v. Board of Education and ultimately serving as a Supreme Court Justice. The Act acknowledges Marshall's role in dismantling legal segregation in the U.S. (SEC. 2).
Keeping It Local: Community-Managed History
Instead of a federal takeover, the bill keeps things local. The Beloved Community Services Corporation, which already owns and beautifully restored the school, will continue to manage it. Think of it like this: the building stays in community hands, but gets national recognition and support. The National Park Service can offer technical and financial help for things like marketing and preservation, but they won't own or run the site (SEC. 4). This means the day-to-day operations, the tours, and the educational programs remain under local control.
Real-World Roots: From Classroom to Courtroom
This isn't just about putting up a plaque. It's about connecting a physical place – a classroom where a young Thurgood Marshall learned – to the monumental changes he brought to the entire country. Imagine students, families, and anyone interested in history walking those same halls, learning not just about the man, but about the community that shaped him. The bill specifically mentions the school's address (1315 Division Street, Baltimore) and even includes a map reference (map titled "Justice Thurgood Marshall School National Historic Site Proposed Boundary," numbered 962194939, and dated September 2024) to make it crystal clear what's being preserved (SEC. 3, SEC. 4). This is about making history tangible, accessible, and real.
The Bottom Line: Funding and the Future
The bill authorizes Congress to appropriate funds to support the Act's implementation (SEC. 5). While the federal government won't be writing a blank check for the site's operations, this funding can help with things like creating exhibits, training staff, and ensuring the building is properly maintained. The Secretary of the Interior is required to create a cooperative agreement with the management entity, Beloved Community Services Corporation, to define the roles and responsibilities. (SEC.4) It's a partnership, recognizing that preserving this piece of history benefits everyone.