Phyllis Wheatley Two-room Schoolhouse
1877 - 1951
School # 2; District # 6

Phyllis Wheatley Two-room Schoolhouse, circa 2002; photo courtesy St. Mary's County government

The Phyllis Wheatley school, located on Hollywood Road, is listed in county records from 1877 until 1951 when students were sent to other area segregated schools. Soon after, the Board of Education sold the property and it has been used as a private residence ever since. The photograph above, taken about 1998 by a consultant hired by St. Mary's County Government, shows the structure after an addition.

The July 5, 1900 edition of the St. Mary's Beacon lists the "Board of Schools Commissioners" appointments for local "boards of trustees". Under the heading "COLORED SCHOOLS - Hollywood # 2", are the names: Hezekiah Clark and Basil Bankins.

In 1939, there were two teachers who taught grades 1 - 3 and 4 - 7. The teachers were a Mr. Henry Lee and a Ms. Estel Bell. Sometime after 1939, the two teachers married.