This semester’s research trip in our Introduction to Humanities was centered around our visit to the Tuskegee archives. Students were able to explore the connections between Booker T. Washington and William H. Holtzclaw that we’ve discussed in class through a hands-on tour of the campus. Tuskegee archivist Dana Chandler and assistant director Cheryl Ferguson rooted students’ museum visits in the archival collection, with a moving presentation of the story of the Carver meteorite, along with a presentation on the importance of the archives in understanding the African American experience. While the students were touring Tuskegee sites, the Humanities faculty met with our counterparts at Tuskegee to discuss future partnerships.

See below for photo galleries from our trip!

Utica humanities students and faculty at the BTW monument.
Dana Chandler discussing the importance of the archives with Hinds-Utica students.
George Washington Carver and a local farmer discovered this meteorite. As Dana Chandler shared with us the story, he noted how special it is that the meteorite is in the shape of Africa.
Ms. Mack and the Carver meteorite.
Found in the archives: William H. Holtzclaw’s signature in BTW’s visitor log!
The Singing Window features lyrics from Negro Spirituals in the Tuskegee Chapel.
BTW’s headstone.
Carver’s gravesite at Tuskegee.
Red tails at the Tuskegee Airmen museum.

During our drive to Tuskegee, we also had the opportunity to tour Selma and learn more about the historic Selma to Montgomery march.

Students walking over the Pettus Bridge in Selma.
At the Selma Interpretative Center, this exhibit allows you to march with the participants.
The Civil Rights Memorial at the Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery.
The memorial was designed by Maya Lin (designer of the Vietnam Wall) with civil rights events and the names of some of the martyrs of the movement.
On the steps of the capital in Montgomery.

On our way back, we were able to pay a visit to the site of the Snow Hill Institute, where Holtzclaw got his start after graduating from Tuskegee.

This is the tree where Nurse Rivers met with participants of the National Public Health Service’s infamous syphilis study.
At the Shiloh-Rosenwald school
Snow Hill’s school bell.
The Snow Hill Institute is where Holtzclaw got his start.
Principal Edwards and William Holtzclaw were close friends throughout their careers.