New Canton in Buckingham County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Carter G. Woodson Birthplace
New Canton, Virginia
— Buckingham County —
North of this sign is the birthplace of Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Dr. Woodson was born December 19, 1875, to former slaves, James Henry and Eliza Ann Riddle Woodson. Young carter left Buckingham to work in West Virginia when he was 17 years old. He began working in the coal mines in the Huntington, West Virginia area. While in West Virginia he entered Douglass High School and completed four years of high school in less than two years.
Dr. Woodson was committed to education. He attended Berea College in Kentucky, The University of Chicago and the Sorbonne in Paris. He was the second African American to receive a Ph.D. degree in history from Harvard University. He returned to Douglass High School as a teacher and principal. He taught and held administrative positions in the Philippines, at Howard University and at West Virginia State College.
Dr. Woodson was dedicated to researching, writing and preserving the historical contributions of people of African descent. In 1915 he founded the Association for the Study of Negro History (now the Association for the Study of African American Life and History) and the Journal of Negro History. He was founder and editor of the Negro History Bulletin and the author or co-author of more than 30 books and 125 articles. Dr. Woodson founded Negro History Week in 1926. His legacy lives on in the yearly observance of Black History Month.
“When you control a man’s thinking you do not have to worry about his actions.” - Dr. Carter G. Woodson
Erected by Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail®. (Marker Number 5.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education. In addition, it is included in the Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail, and the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1959.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 37° 41.447′ N, 78° 17.516′ W. Marker was in New Canton, Virginia, in Buckingham County. Marker was on C G Woodson Road (Virginia Route 670) 0.2 miles north of Liberty Road (Virginia Route 759), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: New Canton VA 23123, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. In Memory of Dr. Carter G. Woodson (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Carter G. Woodson Birthplace (here, next to this marker); Carter G. Woodson, Ph.D. (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Carter G. Woodson Birthplace (approx. 1.3 miles away); Buckingham County / Fluvanna County (approx. 1.4 miles away); Bremo (approx. 1.9 miles away); Arvonia (approx. 2.3 miles away); a different marker also named Carter G. Woodson (approx. 4.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Canton.
More about this marker. On the left are two photos with the captions:
"(Top Left) The Negro History Bulletin, a monthly publication founded by Dr. Woodson in 1937."
"(Bottom Left) Carter G. Woodson, young college graduate."
On the right is a photo of "(Above) Dr. Carter G. Woodson."
Magazine cover and graduation photo courtesy of Virginia State University Archives
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. New Marker At This Location also titled "Carter G. Woodson Birthplace".
Also see . . .
1. Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail. Virginia's Retreat (Submitted on June 7, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
2. Carter G. Woodson. The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (Submitted on June 7, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 3, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 7, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,216 times since then and 69 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 7, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.