Booker T. Washington had become one of the most influential African-American leaders following the Civil War. Born on a plantation in Virginia, he recounted in his autobiographies the deprivations he and his family suffered as slaves. Because he had never been called by any name other than Booker, he chose the surname of Washington when he enrolled in primary school after emancipation. Later his mother told him that she had named him Booker Taliaferro and he accepted this for his full name.
As a young man, he worked in a salt mine and coal mine in West Virginia where his family had moved. After having heard several men talking about a school which had been established for the education of the former enslaved, Washington determined that he would find a way to attend. After working for the wife of the mine's owner for about two years and attending school for one hour a day and studying at night, Washington decided that he would make his way to Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute. This was a pivotal decision for him. Once he arrived in Hampton, Washington pushed himself to achieve his goal. Upon graduating, he taught school in Virginia. After several years he was offered a position at Hampton which he accepted.
In 1881, an opportunity was offered which led him to accept the responsibility of developing a normal school in Alabama. His life's work at Tuskegee Institute had begun. He was twenty-five years old. Washington traveled extensively promoting the school and soliciting donations for its support. He believed strongly in the value of education as well as the manual training of students.
He founded the National Negro Business League in 1900. A number of business men of Lexington were members as well as national officers. Washington was invited several times to Lexington to make speeches. From newspaper accounts, it was learned that Mr. Hathaway had been commissioned to design a souvenir for Booker T. Washington when he came in 1902. The piece, made of ivory colored plaster-of-paris, was shaped like a horseshoe which surrounded a whiskey barrel, two horses' heads outstretched as if running and the profile of a woman. He called it "The Spirit of Kentucky." (Lexington Leader January 12, 1902) The piece was one of the items shown in a 1950s catalog of Isaac's work.
Isaac had another occasion to greet Mr. Washington during a visit in Washington, D.C. Mr. Washington consented when Isaac asked if he could take a life mask of him. Isaac made his way to Tuskegee, Alabama in 1907 to perform the work. He sculpted busts which were twelve inches high which Mr. Washington purchased as gifts to family and friends. The mask taken during the sitting was the only one made of Booker T. Washington during his lifetime. (The Kentuckian, Spring 1947)
Because of his having taken this mask and having sketched Washington's profile for the final work, Isaac had placed himself in a perfect position to become the designer for the first coin to commemorate an African-American. August 7, 1946 was the date President Truman signed the bill authorizing the production of the coin. The concept for the mold had been submitted by others who had done design work for the Fine Arts Commission in the past. But Mr. Hathaway asked that his design be given consideration and he sought out others to endorse his request, which they did. The sketch which Isaac submitted gave the facial details that were truer to Mr. Washington's image than other work. The acceptance of his design netted him recognition of his talent and a check of five hundred dollars as a commission.
This first silver coin, which was produced from 1946 to 1951, was utilized to raise funds for the establishment of a memorial park in Virginia at Mr. Washington's home site. The coins were minted at three locations, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Denver and initially offered in sets. Single coins were later sold for $2.00 each. Although no longer in general circulation, the coins are still available.
The Museum Board has acquired coins that are in good condition and is offering them at a donation level of $50. The coins are in snap-lock cases. Please contact us.
The United States Postal Service issued the Booker T. Washington stamp in 1940. He was the first African-American to be so honored.
The elementary school that was opened in 1915 in west Lexington between Georgetown Street and Newtown Pike was named in his honor.
Booker Taliaferro Washington was born around 1856 in Hale's Ford, Virginia and died November 14, 1915 at Tuskegee, Alabama.
