Benjamin Franklin School

Operated:

1869 -- 2000s

Location:
13th and K Streets., NW.
Washington, D.C.

Key Figures:

Adolf Cluss, Alexander Graham Bell, Occupy Movement, Ann B. Friedman

Other Names:

Planet Word Museum

HISTORICAL TIMELINE

Founding

The Franklin School was designed by Adolf Cluss in 1869.

Between 1862 and 1875, Washington D.C. was establishing a universal education system. Franklin School was amongst those created in that time slot.

The building style is called Rundbogenstil, or the German round-arch style.

School

In 1880, the School had the first wireless communication designed by Alexander Graham Bell. Bell's laboratory was only a few blocks away on L Street.

The 1870s were the highlight of the school's prestigious education. Their students would go on to study at international expeditions in Paris, Philadelphia, and Vienna.

2000s

In the 2000s, the school was turned into a homeless shelter.

In 2011, the Occupy Movement took over the building.

In 2017, Ann B. Freidman took over the building and established a linguistic museum called Planet Word.

Preservation Today

In 1966, the building was placed on the National Historic Landmark register.

In 2015, Mayor Bowser began proposals to convert the school into a public arts facility.