Charleston in Kanawha County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Booker Taliaferro Washington
Photographed By Craig Doda, June 25, 2023
1. Booker Taliaferro Washington Marker
1856 - Born a lowly slave;
1915 - Died a great American.
Famous educator, author, lecturer and advocate of the doctrine of interracial cooperation.
Booker T. Washington was born near Hale's Ford, Franklin, County, VA. He spent his early life here in Malden, West Virginia. He was employed in the Ruffner Salt Works and by Mrs. Viola Ruffner whom he gave credit for inspiring him to secure an education.
He graduated from Hampton Institute, Hampton, Virginia in 1875 and returned to Malden where he taught school for two years. Later he became an instructor and assistant to the president of his alma mater.
By his originality, vision and force, he established in 1881, the first vocational school for Negroes in America at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. Through his emphasis on training the hands as much as the mind, he taught the value of vocational education, not only to the Negro youth but to the world.
"He lifted the veil of ignorance from his people and pointed the way to progess through industry and education."
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1856.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. West Virginia's Female Veteran (within shouting distance of this marker); "The West Virginia Coal Miner" (within shouting distance of this marker); Gold Star Families Memorial Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Dedicated to You, A Free Citizen in a Free Land (within shouting distance of this marker); 1st Marine Division United States Marine Corps (within shouting distance of this marker); Semper Fidelis (within shouting distance of this marker); West Virginia 20th Century Congressional Medal of Honor Awards (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); West Virginia Veterans Memorial (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charleston.
More about this marker. The existing bust of Washington was sculpted by William D. Hopen as a replacement for a worn and damaged original which had been moved to the Capitol from Malden, WV some years earlier. The Washington memorial
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, 1999
2. Booker Taliaferro Washington Monument
Also see . . . Booker T. Washington. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on May 3, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
Additional keywords. Reconstruction Postbellum South
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, September 3, 2023
3. Booker Taliaferro Washington Marker
Photographed By Craig Doda, June 25, 2023
4. Booker Taliaferro Washington Marker
Photographed By Craig Doda, June 25, 2023
5. Seal of the State of West Virginia
Photographed By Harris & Ewing, 1905
6. Booker T. Washington
Public Domain
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, 1999
7. The Gilded Dome of the West Virginia State Capitol
The capitol building was designed by architect Cass Gilbert and dedicated in 1932. This is the country's largest state capitol building.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 3, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,506 times since then and 21 times this year. Last updated on July 3, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. Photos: 1. submitted on July 3, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 2. submitted on May 3, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 3. submitted on September 23, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 4, 5. submitted on July 3, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 6. submitted on September 23, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 7. submitted on May 3, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
