National Historic Landmark- John Mercer Langston House

From 1856 to 1867, this simple clapboard structure was the home of John Mercer Langston (1829-1897), the man who became the first Black American elected to public office when he was elected township clerk in 1855.

He later served in the Freedman's Bureau and was first dean of the Howard University Law School, U.S. Representative from Virginia (1890-91), and Minister to Haiti.

Courtesy National Park Service National Historic Landmarks