Tuskegee Institute in Macon County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Up From Slavery

— Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site —

Photographed By Mark Hilton, March 11, 2017

1. Up From Slavery Marker

Inscription. I determined when quite a small child . . . I would in some way get enough education to enable me to read common books and newspapers.
—Booker T. Washington, Up From Slavery

Booker T. Washington changed the name of this building about 1903 from Science Hall to Thrasher Hall as a tribute to Max Bennett Thrasher's assistance in publishing Up From Slavery. Thrasher reviewed and edited the manuscript that Washington wrote in his spare time "on board trains or at hotels or railroad stations."

In his autobiography, Washington tells of his rise from bondage to become an internationally known educator and spokesman for African Americans. The book, first published in 1901, is required reading for Tuskegee students and recommended for others interested in black history and civil rights.

[Photo Captions]
{Top Right}: By the eve of the twentieth century, Washington was regarded as a powerful orator as he promoted economic and educational development as the answer to social inequality. The 1895 speech at the Atlanta Cotton Exposition and his autobiography Up From Slavery turned him into a major public figure.

{Main Photo}: For many years, starting in 1893, students attended science classes in this building.

Erected by

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

the National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1903.

Location. 32° 25.654′ N, 85° 42.194′ W. Marker is in Tuskegee Institute, Alabama, in Macon County. Marker is at the intersection of University Avenue and Tuskegee Airmen Circle, on the right when traveling east on University Avenue. Marker located within the Tuskegee University Campus. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: University Avenue, Tuskegee Institute AL 36088, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Thrasher Hall (here, next to this marker); Site of Olivia Davidson Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); The Burnt Place (within shouting distance of this marker); Carver Research Foundation (within shouting distance of this marker); Birth of Trades Program (within shouting distance of this marker); Porter Hall 1883 / Huntington Academic Building 1905 (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Managing the School (about 600 feet away); The Oaks (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tuskegee Institute.

Regarding Up From Slavery.

Thrasher Hall and bell formerly located in bell tower of building. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, March 11, 2017

2. Thrasher Hall and bell formerly located in bell tower of building.

Thrasher Hall was completed in 1895 by students and teachers using bricks they made on campus. It was renovated in 1983 and only the exterior walls remain from the original building. The building is currently unoccupied and falling into disrepair.

Tuskegee University is a private, historically Black university established in 1881. The campus has been designated as the Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site, a National Historic Landmark. Tuskegee University's campus is the only school in the United States to hold this distinction.

Bell located in front of Thrasher Hall. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, March 11, 2017

3. Bell located in front of Thrasher Hall.

Booker T. Washington image. Click for full size.

Public Domain

4. Booker T. Washington

Credits. This page was last revised on March 12, 2017. It was originally submitted on March 12, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 506 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 12, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.