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

Birth of Trades Program

— Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site —

Photographed By Mark Hilton, March 11, 2017

1. Birth of Trades Program Marker

Inscription. We shall prosper . . . as we learn to dignify and glorify labor and put brains and skills into the common occupations of life. —Booker T. Washington

Tuskegee Institute's vocational training program began in this building in 1890 when Lewis Adams, former slave, moved his tinsmith shop here from the town of Tuskegee. Adams taught students how to make kitchen utensils and roofing materials.

Soon students were making bricks, nails, furniture plows and other products. Adams remained in charge of the trades program until he died in 1903. Today this is the oldest building on the campus and the home of the Tuskegee University Band.

[Photo Captions]
{Main Photo}: Lewis Adams, second from right, teaches students how to make weathervanes and household items in the tinsmith shop.

{Top Right}: Students practice their shoemaking skills.

Erected by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.

Location. 32°

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25.627′ N, 85° 42.165′ W. Marker is in Tuskegee Institute, Alabama, in Macon County. Marker is at the intersection of Lewis Adams Street and University Avenue, on the left when traveling south on Lewis Adams Street. Marker located within the Tuskegee University Campus. It is known as the 'Band" building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Lewis Adams Street, 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. Carver Research Foundation (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Olivia Davidson Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Up From Slavery (within shouting distance of this marker); Thrasher Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); The Burnt Place (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Porter Hall 1883 / Huntington Academic Building 1905 (about 600 feet away); Managing the School (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Oaks (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tuskegee Institute.

Regarding Birth of Trades Program. The building houses the Tuskegee University Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps.

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

Birth of Trades Program Marker and "Band" building in background. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, March 11, 2017

2. Birth of Trades Program Marker and "Band" building in background.

is the only school in the United States to hold this distinction.

Marker, on right, at end of University Avenue on Lewis Adams Street. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, March 11, 2017

3. Marker, on right, at end of University Avenue on Lewis Adams Street.

Marker is next to the Andrew F. Brimmer College of Business and Information Sciences (Brimmer Hall).

Credits. This page was last revised on April 9, 2019. It was originally submitted on March 12, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 479 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 12, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.