This lesson is part of the National Park Service’s Teaching with Historic Places (TwHP) program
Introduction
Tuskegee Institute, now Tuskegee University, is the first National Historic Site on an active college campus. Before Tuskegee became a staple in the lives of many Americans, one man took on the task to design buildings from a mere vision. His name was Robert Robinson Taylor. Robert Robinson Taylor was born free. His formerly enslaved father was fortunate enough to be able to send him to one of the best architectural schools in the United States, The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.). He was the first African American to graduate from M.I.T., graduating with a degree in architecture. Dr. Booker T. Washington heard of the young Robert R. Taylor and invited him to join Tuskegee Institute’s faculty. After Taylor graduated from M.I.T. in 1892, he traveled to Tuskegee, Alabama to design buildings that still stand on the campus of Tuskegee University today.
Lesson Contents
About This Lesson
Includes authors, learning objectives, materials for students, and details about visiting the site
Getting Started: Inquiry Question
Locating the Site
Map 1: A partial map of Tuskegee University showing historic campus buildings (Tuskegee Institute)
Determining the Facts
Reading 1: “From Tech to Tuskegee: The life of Robert Robinson Taylor"
Reading 2: “The New Laundry"
Visual Evidence
Photo 1: Thrasher Hall
Photo 2: The George Washington Carver Museum
Optional Activities
Activity 1: Robert R. Taylor and Tuskegee
Activity 2: Connect with the Arts
Activity 3: Visiting the Oaks
References and Additional Resources
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
