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 PhD 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 Life and History (now the Association for the Study of African American Life and History) and The Journal of Negro History. He was the founder and editor of The Negro History Bulletin and the author or coauthor of more than 30 books and 125 articles. Dr. Woodson founded Negro History
this page online
"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 BK3.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • 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 date for this entry is December 19, 1875.
Location. 37° 41.447′ N, 78° 17.519′ W. Marker is in New Canton, Virginia, in Buckingham County. Marker is on C G Woodson Road (Virginia Route 670) 0.2 miles south of Bolling Woodson Lane, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2328 C G Woodson Rd, New Canton VA 23123, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. In Memory of Dr. Carter G. Woodson (here, next to this marker); Carter G. Woodson, Ph.D. (a few steps from 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
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Old Marker At This Location also titled "Carter G. Woodson Birthplace".
Credits. This page was last revised on November 3, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 205 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 6, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
