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GRPM showcases recently discovered images of Tuskegee Institute in new exhibit

 This black and white photographic lantern slide depicts Booker T. Washington sitting in an office at a desk.
Grand Rapids Public Museum
Rare Discovery of Slides of the Tuskegee Institute Found in the GRPM’s Collections

The Tuskegee Institute, now referred to as Tuskegee University is a private, historically Black university in Tuskegee Alabama. It’s well known for its first president, Booker T. Washington and as the home of scientist George Washington Carver and of the World War II era Tuskegee Airmen.

The Grand Rapids Public Museum will welcome a special display in honor of Black History Month, showcasing recently discovered images of the Tuskegee Institute.

The Tuskegee Institute, now referred to as Tuskegee University is a private, historically Black university in Tuskegee Alabama. It’s well known for its first president, Booker T. Washington and as the home of scientist George Washington Carver and of the World War II era Tuskegee Airmen.

In March of 2021, even more was discovered about this iconic establishment, when Grand Rapids Public Museum uncovered 69 black and white, images depicting life at the institute at the turn of the 20th century.

GRPM staff made the rare find while digitizing images from a magic lantern slide collection, a process that was possible thanks to a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences. With the help of local historian, Dr. Randal Maurice Jelks, GRPM was able to verify the time and place of what’s being called the Tuskegee slides.

“Sharing these images and slides with the public is exciting,” said Alex Forist, Chief Curator for the GRPM. “This is what museums are all about, preserving the physical pieces of the past so that we can learn from and be inspired by them in new contexts today, and into the future.”

GRPM plans to showcase the recently discovered Tuskegee Slides as part of a temporary display called Booker T. Washington Visits Grand Rapids within the Streets of Old Grand Rapids exhibit beginning February 1. The slides can also be viewed online at grpmcollections.org.

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