Commems Collection Classic: 1946-51 Booker T Washington Birthplace Mem. - Ideals & National Interest

Returning to Sidney J. Phillips's article that appeared in The Tribune (Roanoke, VA) in January 1955 that was titled "Facts and Accomplishments of Booker T. Washington Birthplace Memorial," I present two more items from his list that I believe are useful in understanding BTW and the coin that honored him.

1946 Booker T. Washington Birthplace Memorial Half Dollar


Note: Minor spelling and punctuation errors in the original article were corrected.

"1. Conception of a suitable Memorial to be erected at the Birthplace of Booker T. Washington.

When, in 1946, Mrs. Portia Washington Pittman, daughter of Booker T. Washington, approached S. J. Philips with the request to save her father's birthplace for posterity, the concept of a suitable memorial to this famous American immediately shaped itself around the idea of perpetuating his ideals and teaching. Justification in establishing a memorial to Booker T. Washington was found in the following facts:

(a) Booker T. Washington rose from a log cabin to the Hall of Fame. A memorial in his honor would stand as a tribute to the broadness of the government under which we live and would serve as an inspiration to humble Americans of every race and creed.

(b) WORK is a powerful factor in the progress of any nation. Booker T. Washington taught millions of people the glory and dignity of work well done. It is fitting that a memorial be established to do honor to an Apostle of Labor.

(c) Booker T. Washington's teachings are sane and fundamental. Their value has been proved beyond a doubt. They can be applied to today's problems as well as to yesterday's. It is timely to establish a memorial that will focus the attention of the American people upon his philosophy and teachings.

(d) Several projects stand in America today that are closely connected with the name of Booker T. Washington. These are the results of HIS LABOR - HIS GIFTS to the American people. It is fitting that the AMERICAN PEOPLE establish a Booker T. Washington Memorial as THEIR GIFT of appreciation for his labors.

(e) Booker T. Washington was an apostle of interracial and sectional goodwill. All groups working together to build a memorial in his honor would be a practical demonstration of the fact that men and races can work together for mutual welfare and mutual inspiration.

(f) Booker T. Washington worked unselfishly and untiringly for his fellowmen. It would be fitting here were his efforts recognized in this tangible way.

...

5. Nationwide interest aroused because of the legislation which provided for the coinage of 5,000,000 Booker T. Washington Commemorative half dollars.

House Bill 3176 which authorized the minting of 5,000,000 Booker T. Washington Commemorative half dollars was passed by the 81st Congress largely through the efforts of S. J. Phillips, President of the Memorial. This recognition of the memorial idea by the Federal Government served as an incentive to arouse the interest of the nation in the effort of the Booker T. Washington Birthplace Memorial. The Bill made provisions for the coins to be disposed of at face or premium value and any funds thus raised to be used by the Memorial in carrying out its program.

The Booker T. Washington half dollar carried the memorial message to all parts of the nation. It became a goodwill builder that added to racial pride and engendered national respect."


Phillips was certainly a fan of Booker T. Washington, and its hard to fault him for the tireless effort he put in to make a BTW Birthplace Memorial a reality. He may have suffered from the same shortcoming as many other promoters - playing a bit fast and loose with the facts when it appeared it would be advantageous to do so - but he worked constantly for more than a decade to secure the memory and legacy of Washington. The BTW Memorial did not turn out as he originally planned, but the Booker T. Washington National Monument that operates today under the administration of the National Park Service ensures the realization of Phillips' vision for a "perpetual memorial" to BTW.(Booker T. Washington National Monument.)

I plan on visiting Phillips' list of "Facts and Accomplishments" one more time with a few more items specific to the coins he/his organizations sponsored. Stay tuned!


For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more Booker T. Washington Birthplace Memorial half dollar stories, see: Commems Collection.