The Tuskegee Institute

Beginnings of the Institute

A young teacher named Booker T. White was asked to teach at the institute

When he arrived, the school itself was in no condition to be used

In fact, the roof was once so leaky, a student had to hold an umbrella over Washington's head while he taught

Opening of the Institute

The Tuskegee School was opened with Washington as the only teacher on July 4, 1881

The school did not fill with children like we see in modern times

30 mature men and women, especially teachers filled the school

We can see here as previously mentioned that the school did not fill with children, but instead with adults and even the elderly, eager to learn.

Education at the Institute

Students at the school were taught to be teachers

They were taught to return to their communities and, “put new energy and new life into farming”

They were also instructed to teach religious, intellectual, and morals to the people

Rebuilding Tuskegee

As Washington developed a respected name for himself, he amassed loans and credit to begin to rebuild a new school

He raised money from all around, and had students help construct the building

Washington envisioned this new school to teach every trade from sewing to brickmaking.

Tuskegee Today

The success of the school is demonstrated by the fact it is still standing and operational today at Tuskegee University