The Founding of Tuskegee Institute

Hardy, VA - On Thursday, July 4, Friday, July 5, and Saturday July 6 at 2:00 p.m., “The Founding of Tuskegee Institute” will be presented at Booker T. Washington National Monument by park ranger Brittany Webb Lane. Visit your local National Monument over the Fourth of July weekend to discover the intriguing story about the founding of Tuskegee Institute; the post-Civil War industrial and normal school that Booker T. Washington helped establish as its first principal. Ranger Lane will delve into the intricate story of the “Pride of the Swift Rolling South” and lead a one hour lecture and conversation each day on the triumphs and obstacles of civic and educational leaders such as Booker T. Washington, Lewis Adams, and George W. Campbell through their association with Tuskegee.  

Tuskegee Institute (now University) was founded on July 4, 1881 at Butler A.M.E. Zion Church in Tuskegee, Alabama. Washington, then an accomplished fundraiser, secured a deposit on an abandoned 100-acre plantation in the heart of Tuskegee and from there, the opportunity began to learn with the “head, hand, and heart”. The early students of the Institute were taught to make their own bricks and kilns and by the turn of the century, were producing more than one million bricks per year, helping not only to physically build the Institute’s campus but it’s reputation as an emerging leader in African-American education in the south. Booker T. Washington served as founding principal for 34 years until his passing on November 14, 1915 and truly fulfilled his own words, “If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.”

 The public is invited to attend this FREE program. Join the discussion starting at 2:00 p.m. in the park visitor center and learn more about Booker T. Washington’s fascinating journey and tremendous contribution to our collective American Experience!

 For more information, please contact the park at (540) 721-2094.

Fees

This event is free to attend.

Schedule

Contact Information

Brittany Lane
540-721-2094
Contact Us

Event Type

• Talk