Midtown in Atlanta in Fulton County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Booker T. Washington

1856-1915

Photographed By Byron Hooks, January 6, 2008

1. Booker T. Washington Marker

Inscription. Former slave, Principal of Tuskegee Institute and author of Up From Slavery, Washington delivered the Atlanta Exposition Address on September 18, 1895 at this site, the former auditorium of the Cotton States and International Exposition. Washington delivered this address at the Exposition Inauguration before a segregated audience, and in an unprecedented departure from regional customs, he shared the platform with Charles Collier, President of the Exposition. In 1894 Washington had joined Collier and other supporters of the exposition in an appearance before the House Committee on Appropriations. Together they secured $200,000 appropriations from Congress. In addition to serving as a lobbyist for the Exposition, Washington was also an Exposition commissioner and supervised the construction of the Negro Building, the Exposition´s site of African American exhibitions formerly located near the 10th street entrance to Piedmont Park. An alumnus of Hampton Institute and President of the National Negro Business League, Washington became a national leader because of the interracial compromise he proposed in the Atlanta Exposition Address.

Erected 1995 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 060-176.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists:

Paid Advertisement

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

Click or scan to see
this page online

African Americans • Civil Rights. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society, and the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is September 18, 1895.

Location. 33° 47.179′ N, 84° 22.651′ W. Marker is in Atlanta, Georgia, in Fulton County. It is in Midtown. Marker is at the intersection of Piedmont Ave and 14th St NE on Piedmont Ave. This marker is located at the main entrance to Piedmont Park. The marker is not visible from the street. The park is closed between 11:00 pm and 6:00 am. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1491 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta GA 30309, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Cotton States Exposition of 1895 (within shouting distance of this marker); Second Oldest D.A.R. Chapter (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Habersham Memorial Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Atlanta Woman's Club (approx. 0.3 miles away); Ansley Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Castle (approx. 0.4 miles away); Sector of Siege Line (approx. half a mile away); 61 16th Street Apartment Building (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Atlanta.

Booker T. Washington image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, August 9, 2015

2. Booker T. Washington

This 1973 bust of Booker T. Washington by Richmond Barthé sits in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC.

“In the face of racial hatred, segregation, and disenfranchisement following the Civil War, it was unrealistic, Booker T. Washington contended, to expect African Americans to gain entry into America's white-collar professions. Instead, he suggested they establish themselves as a skilled and indispensable laboring class. With that accomplished, racial discrimination would gradually disappear. In 1881 Washington put this theory to the test, becoming the director of the newly created Negro Normal School in Tuskegee, Alabama. As the school grew, Washington became viewed as the nation's leading spokesman for African Americans. Yet by the century's end, many critics began to challenge his ‘get along’ philosophy.’” — National Portrait Gallery

Also see . . .
1. Booker Taliaferro Washington. (Submitted on May 2, 2014, by Byron Hooks of Sandy Springs, Georgia.)
2. Cotton States and International Exposition. The 1895 Cotton States and International Exposition was held at the current Piedmont Park in Atlanta, Georgia. Nearly 800,000 visitors attended the event. The event is best remembered for the both hailed and criticized "Atlanta Compromise" speech given by Booker T. Washington on September 18, promoting racial cooperation. (Submitted on May 2, 2014, by Byron Hooks of Sandy Springs, Georgia.)

Entrance to Piedmont Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Byron Hooks, January 6, 2008

3. Entrance to Piedmont Park

The stone columns supporting the gate were built for the Cotton States and International Exposition.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 2, 2014, by Byron Hooks of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 882 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 2, 2014, by Byron Hooks of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 2. submitted on October 17, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 3. submitted on May 2, 2014, by Byron Hooks of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide view photo of the marker and surrounding area together in context. • Can you help?