The Tribune. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1951-19??, 1955-01-29
FACTS AND ACC0MPL |SHMENTS OF BOOKER
7. WASH|NGT0 TON BIRTHPLACE MEMORIAL
Covering a Nine Year Period

o''Ooo'ooO Booker L. Washington Commemorative half
dollars passed by the 8st Congress largely through
the efforts of S. j. Phillips President of the Memorial
inns recognition of the memorial idea by the Federal
served incentive to the
OF the nation in the effort of the Booker T. Washington
Birthplace Memorial The Bill made provisions for The
CONS to be disposed of at face premium value and any
funds thus raised to be by the Memorial in CARVING
out it's program.
Inc Booker T. Washington half dollar carried tho
eiorai message to all parts of the nation It became
goodwill builder that added to racial pride and enoen
dered national respect
W., ~. Inc securing of $4,000 appropriation from
'"e virginia General Assembly which made possible the
construction of hard-surfaced road into the old p
rough's Plantation ~ ~
ny way OF securing the cooperation of the Com
-. 'n u VIRGINIA a presentation made to the
virginia General Assembly requesting financial aid in
Cne establishment of memorial to Virpnian who ,a
distinguished himself through service TO his feor,
hleeh Thousand dollars appropriated by the as
senoy to assist in the undertaking. Part of these finds
was used IN the construction of hard-slirfaced road
WHICH leads from the main highway into the Old Rur
rough's Plantation, thus making possibe e.sv .o ~
the spot where Booker T. Washington was born The re
mamder OF the appropriation used as indicated else
where in this summary
.. The restoration of the cabin on the spot where
Booker t. Washington was born and the ;r,nrover,et
OF all permanent buildings
replica or the cabin in which Booker r. Wash.
goh was born was constructed upon the exact site upon
Whlch the original birthplace cabin stood Location was
made possible through the writings of Booker r Wash
ngton; foundation material of the cabin: and with
the help of the late Uncle Henry Swain then the on1
hvlng boyhocd friend of Booker T. Washington Cost
OF TINS construction was made possible through the Vir
glnia General Assemby's appropriation Two other per-
manent buildings the grounds were renovated through
the help of this same $4,000 appropriation
.. The establishment of the Booker T. Washing
Ton nemorai Trade School in Roanoke Virginia for the
framing OF Negro veterans of World War II for five
year PERIOD graduating shan and touching
or more veterans, who did graduate and bringing
more than S3O0O,0OO into the Roanoke trade area
up to 1943 the educational opportunities made
possible TO veterans OF World War II by the u S. Gov
eminent meant but very little to Negro veterans in the
Virginia area This true the reason that with the
exception of few who had been admitted into existr
white schools and few who had registered in special
classes educational institution that catered to Nepr
veterans below college level opened to Negro regs
raton in this The Board of Education of the Com
mohWealth OF Virginia had given it's approval to
privately operated educational institution and no public
ones OF the type needed were in existence.
In 1913 the Booker T Washington Birthplace Me
mortal opened the Booker T. Washington Trade School
Roanoke Virginia It's of study included Carmen
try Brickaying, Radio Repair Auto Mechanics Beauty
Culture and Business It's program was planned to take
care OF adult learners at any level order to secure the
state approval which necessary to veterans attend
ance at expense the school had to
one year as free institution During this time it's shops
teachers, administrators and all other facilities and per-
sonne were kept under close study and frequent nspec
ton by the State Board of Education The cost of this
undertaking to the memorial tremendous since we'll
equipped shops three buildings and large force of teach
ers had to be used to accommodate the student enroll
ment These efforts rewarded by approval
the Booker t. Washington Memorial trade School in So
tember 1947.
The school was kept in operation for five years
unit! all enrolled veterans of World War III had com
pleted their courses and the GIL Bill had expired More
than 500 skilled workers turned and nearly 1900
others received training More than SO 900 600
brought into the Roanoke trade through this un-
dertakng
10. Conducted an Opportunity School at the Birth
place OF Booker T. Washington for year for under
privileged worthy students This projec: did not prove
successful.
In an effort to create opportunities for trade train
ing for deserving Negro youth who lacked sufficient
means to pay for such training the Memorial opened an
Opportunity School" at the birthplace of Booker T