1956 Centennial of Booker T. Washington 3¢ Stamps

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Booker T. Washington, the first president of the Tuskegee Institute, was the first African American pictured on a U.S. postage stamp. Washington was born a slave, and after the Civil War, worked his way through the Hampton Institute and Wayland Seminary. In 1881, at age 25, he was named the president of the newly created Tuskegee Institute. In 1901, Washington became the first African American to dine at the White House, accepting an invitation from U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt. Washington was a skilled orator and became a spokesman for blacks in America. Along with Julius Rosenwald, part owner of Sears Roebuck, Washington helped develop over 5,000 small community schools to educate black students throughout the South. Washington and Rosenwald provided organization, and matched funds raised by the communities.
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Issue Date: April 5, 1956
City: Booker T. Washington Birthplace, Virginia
Quantity: 121,184,600
Printed by: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Printing Method: Rotary Press
Perforations: 11 x 10 ½
Color: Deep blue
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These U.S. # 1074 were issued to honor the 100th birth anniversary of Booker T. Washington, first president of the Tuskegee Institute. Washington was born a slave on April 5, 1856, on the farm of James Burroughs, in Franklin County, Virginia. The location has been made into a National Park. The post office located there was the site where this commemorative stamp was issued. The log cabin shown on the stamp is a replica built at the plantation.