Douglass School Memorial Dedicated Monday

Community members, local leaders, and supporters gathered this week to celebrate the dedication of the new Douglass School Memorial, honoring an important chapter of Parsons' history and preserving the legacy of the former all-Black Douglass School. 

The Parsons Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 1 at the memorial site, located at 822 S. Central. The memorial serves as a lasting tribute to the students, educators, and families connected to Douglass School, which operated until 1958 and was later demolished in 1962. There were even a few members of the community in attendance who went to the Douglass School, including Delphia Davis Jones (pictured above with her daughter). 

The project grew from years of community conversations about preserving and recognizing Black history in Parsons. In 2024, discussions surrounding the possibility of renaming Glenwood Park in honor of Frederick Douglass sparked broader conversations about how best to commemorate the school's history and its impact on the community.

Parsons USD 503 Board Member Lou Martino became involved after hearing residents advocate for recognition of Douglass School and its place in local history. Through research, conversations with former students and community members, and collaboration with local leaders, a vision for a permanent memorial began to take shape.

"It really wasn't just about a building," Martino said. "It was about honoring the people, the history, and the experiences connected to Douglass School."

The memorial is located near the school's original site and features a granite monument with historical information and a QR code that allows visitors to access additional resources about the school. The accompanying website includes photographs, historical documents, newspaper articles, maps, and a video documenting the memorial's construction.

The project was made possible through a partnership between Parsons USD 503, the City of Parsons, the Parsons Area Community Foundation, private donors, and community volunteers. The City of Parsons contributed tourism funding toward the approximately $20,000 project, while the Parsons Area Community Foundation provided grant support. Additional donations helped bring the memorial to completion.

Superintendent Lori Perkins worked closely with community partners to oversee the project, while local contributors assisted with design, planning, and construction efforts.

The memorial also highlights the legacy of notable individuals connected to Douglass School, including the Watkins family. Levi Watkins Sr. served as principal of the school, while his son, Dr. Levi Watkins Jr., went on to become a pioneering heart surgeon at Johns Hopkins University and the first physician to implant an automatic defibrillator into a human patient. His daughter, Annie Watkins Garraway, became a respected mathematician, inventor, and telecommunications innovator.

For many involved, the memorial represents more than a historical marker. It serves as a place for reflection, education, and community understanding.

Visitors are encouraged to stop by the memorial, learn about the history of Douglass School, and reflect on the contributions of the students, educators, and families whose stories helped shape Parsons.

Additional information about the memorial and the history of Douglass School can be accessed through the QR code displayed on the monument or by visiting the memorial website.