The Ongoing Journey of Today’s Descendants
The family continues to travel around the country in honor of their great legacy
In 1996 the first Booker T. Washington family reunion was held on the grounds of Tuskegee University, formerly Tuskegee Institute, in Tuskegee, Alabama. Local dignitaries attended the event. News Reporters and journalists were in attendance to cover the story. The family held a memorial at the cemetery on the grounds of the University in honor of those family members buried there including Booker T. Washington, David Cabiness-a great-grandson and Earnest Davidson Washington. George Washington Carver is also buried there.
For the past six years the family reunions have followed the trail of Booker T. Washington. In 2000 we were in Hales Ford Virginia visiting the plantation where he was born, which is now a national monument. In the evening, approximately 50 family and extended family members and friends held a prayer vigil as they lit candles and marched from the cabin throughout the plantation. In 2002 we went to Malden, Virginia where he and his family went to live immediately following slavery. In June 2004 we were in Hampton, Virginia where he gained his formal education before going to Tuskegee, Alabama, where we will return to in 2008 to complete our journey and celebrate 150 years since the birth of Booker T. Washington. While in Hampton the news publication that is part of B.T.W.E.N., “Lifting the Veil,” was submitted in the Hampton University Museum archives in the Booker T. Washington Files. This is the largest African-American museum in the United States.
Booker T. Washington’s Legacy in California
Kings Canyon National Park
In August 2003 direct descendants were invited to the rededication of a giant sequoia at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park. This Sequoia was named for Booker T. Washington originally in 1903, 100 years earlier, when a modest Colonel Young, Buffalo Soldier, turned down the privilege of having the tree named after him, instead requesting that it be named for someone he greatly admired, Booker T Washington. Over the years the tree was lost in history. Through the hard work of one museum technician, it was relocated and 100 years later was rededicated in honor of both men, with both of their families in attendance.
Riverside, California
In March 2004 the direct descendants were invited to the unveiling of a Booker T. Washington bust in Riverside, California at the historic Mission Inn, in honor of Booker T. Washington speaking there 90 years ago while raising money for Tuskegee Institute in 1914. He died in 1915. The most beautiful part of the unveiling ceremony was when 9 doves were released, as the bust was unveiled, representing each decade since he’d spoken there. The eldest living descendant, the granddaughter, Margaret Washington Clifford from Atlanta was the keynote speaker for the event. His youngest living granddaughter, Gloria Washington Baskin from Los Angeles was also in attendance.
San Francisco/Bay Area, California
On July 17, 2004, Sarah O. Rush, founder of B.T.W.E.N. was hosted by Lousan’s Bed and Breakfast, an African-American owned bed and breakfast in Castro Valley, California, for a book signing, where she signed her great-grandfather’s best seller “Up From Slavery.” It was a first class event and many were inspired to see that one of his descendants continues to carry on the legacy. At this event Sarah received a certificate of commendation from the United Sates Congress for outstanding civic leadership. |
