The building was constructed in 1822—23 by Henry Smothers, a free black man who lived in Georgetown.
Prout appears to have called it the "Columbian Institute," perhaps because of a connection to the local learned society called the Columbian Institute for the Promotion of Arts and Sciences.
Schooling was free to students, and funded by subscription supporters.
[citation needed] The Smothers Schoolhouse was used for schools run by the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul from 1858 to 1861.
[4] Another school was named for John F. Cook, Sr., whose son became a noted educator too.