Day 153: Quincy Grammar School, Boston, Massachusetts
📌APIA Every Day (153) - The Quincy Grammar School, opened in 1848, was a model public school conceived by renowned educator Horace Mann. Designed by architect Gridley J.F. Bryant, the building featured classrooms for individual teachers and separated students by grade, which were progressive ideas at the time.
By the late 19th century, the Quincy Grammar School offered evening classes for the immigrants of South Cove and became a key institution for educating immigrant children, including a growing number of Chinese students. The first Chinese student enrolled in 1891, and the trend of Chinese enrollment increased significantly after World War II with the arrival of many Chinese families. By the mid-20th century, more than 90% of the students were Chinese American, making the Quincy Grammar School the primary educational facility for Chinese American children in Chinatown.
The school closed in 1976, and in 1983, it was acquired by the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA). The CCBA transformed the building into a cultural center, providing social services and cultural programs for the community. The Quincy School is now recognized for its role in the history of Chinese immigrants and Chinese Americans in Boston and its progressive architectural design. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in June 2017.
LEARN MORE:
The Historical Marker Database: Josiah Quincy School
National Park Service: Quincy Grammar School NRHP Form
Chinese Historic Society of New England: National Register of Historic Places
Historic Boston Incorporated: A First for Asian American History in Massachusetts
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