Charlotte Forten Grimké House

Charlotte Forten Grimké House

Charlotte Forten Grimké was a prominent abolitionist and women's rights advocate. During the Civil War, Forten taught newly freed blacks on the Sea Islands of South Carolina.

Her writings and poetry showed her commitment to battling racial and gender inequality. From 1881 to 1886, she resided in Dupont Circle, Washington, DC. Born free to activist parents in 1837, Charlotte Forten’s family was part of Philadelphia's elite black community.

Her father, Robert Forten, refused to send Charlotte to a state-mandated segregated school. She received early training from private tutors.

Later Forten moved to Salem, Massachusetts to attend public school. While there she boarded at the home of Charles Lenox Remond, a leading black follower of abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison.

At the age of seventeen, Forten joined the Salem Female Anti-Slavery Society. In 1856, she entered Salem Normal School to receive instruction in teaching.

Upon graduation, Forten became the first black teacher at Epes Grammar School of Salem.

The Charlotte Forten Grimké House was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1976.

The Charlotte Forten Grimké house is a private residence and not open to the public.