James Forten School

"[1] On September 6, 1822, officials followed through by opening a school in an old Presbyterian church building on Mary Street, organized on the Lancasterian System.

Philadelphia's "colored" schools had only white teachers up until the Civil War era.

However, after Bird's transfer to a white school in 1833, the Lombard Street school fell into a period of disarray and neglect by officials, with half a dozen principals taking charge over the next five years.

[1] In response, the prominent Black Philadelphian James Forten and members of the Pennsylvania Abolition Society successfully petitioned school officials to keep the Lombard School open and bring Bird back.

[6] The school was eventually renamed for prominent African American businessman, abolitionist, and civil rights activist James Forten.