02/26/2025
♥️
Ever wonder why we celebrate Black History Month in February? It all traces back to Carter G. Woodson, a scholar, educator, and historian who was widely known as the “Father of Black History.” But did you know that before he made history, Woodson lived and worked right here in Fayette county, West Virginia?
Born in 1875 to formerly enslaved parents in Virginia, Woodson’s family relocated to West Virginia, drawn by the promise of opportunities in the New River Gorge’s burgeoning railroad and coal mining industries. Settling on a farm, young Woodson assisted his father in the fields and, driven by a thirst for education, joined the local mining workforce to fund his schooling.
During his time in the mines, Woodson worked in several locations, including the Kaymoor and Nuttallburg mines. The experiences and stories shared by his fellow Black miners profoundly influenced him, igniting a passion to educate others about the significant contributions of African Americans. After six years of diligent work, he saved enough to enroll in Douglass High School in Huntington, West Virginia.
From 1897 to 1900, Woodson returned to Fayette County to teach at a school in Winona, established by Black miners for their children. This school was located merely five miles from the Nuttallburg mines where he once labored. His dedication to education continued as he pursued higher studies, earning a bachelor’s degree in literature from Berea College in Kentucky in 1903. Woodson’s academic journey culminated in 1912 when he became the second African American to receive a Ph.D. from Harvard University.
Recognizing the glaring omissions in historical narratives regarding African American achievements, Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915. A decade later, in 1926, he initiated “Black History Week” during the second week of February, aligning with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. This observance laid the foundation for what we now celebrate as Black History Month, honoring the rich and diverse history of African Americans. His enduring legacy serves as a testament to the power of education and the importance of acknowledging and celebrating the contributions of all individuals to our collective history.
“What we need is not a history of selected races or nations, but the history of the world void of national bias, race hatred, and religious prejudice.” – Carter G. Woodson on Black History Week
Source: Carter G. Woodson, New River Gorge National Park Service
https://visitfayettevillewv.com/carter-g-woodson-the-father-of-black-history-and-his-fayette-county-roots/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0ttUcmWoKZs7qQaeqSa3nSAgEBp__mot3eiIzLphmcLwdJ2qYGZbP1HTM_aem_s7ozZ_wBpP8NeLJKRV6ENg
📷:
