Tuskegee can be explored through several historical highlights: the training of the Tuskegee Airmen, a historic university campus, and museums with their own collection and exhibition themes. For planning, it helps to first decide which history you would like to explore in greater depth. The various sites offer ways to discover aviation, science, and regional history.
Tuskegee Airmen and Aviation History
The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African Americans to be trained and qualified as military pilots in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. At Moton Field in Tuskegee, the Army Air Corps conducted a military test to determine whether African Americans could be trained to fly fighter aircraft.
The Hangar #1 Museum has an orientation room with a four-minute introductory video and a museum area with two World War II-era training aircraft. The visit therefore includes both a brief introduction and actual aircraft exhibits. The Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site is open to the public Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Children can complete the Junior Ranger program during one visit or over several visits.
The Oaks: Visits by Advance Reservation
The Oaks is open by advance reservation only. A 30-minute tour led by a National Park Service ranger takes visitors through the ground floor and first floor of the house. The tour includes original furnishings, period artifacts, and personal belongings of the Washington family. The duration and floors visited give you a clear framework for planning this stop into your stay.
Historic Campus and George Washington Carver
The Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site preserves and interprets a historic university campus at Tuskegee University. The focus here is therefore the history of the campus, offering a different perspective from military aviation history.
Visitors to the George Washington Carver Museum must obtain a visitor pass before entering the campus. The museum also serves as the park's visitor center. Its original collections included geological and mycological specimens, works of art, specimens of regional birds, and preserved agricultural exhibits. These types of collections range from natural history to art and agriculture, offering an impression of the breadth of the original holdings.
Interactive exhibits on George Washington Carver's scientific achievements offer another way to explore his legacy. They cover his work with peanuts and sweet potatoes, his contributions to sustainable agriculture, and his impact on education and innovation.
Museums and Different Historical Perspectives
At the Tuskegee History Center, visitors can explore details of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study through museum exhibits, videos, and photographs. The exhibits also explore the cultures of Native Americans, European Americans, and African Americans. Next to the center, you can explore an outdoor replica of Booker T. Washington's childhood home in Virginia.
The Legacy Museum presents the Tuskegee University's visual art collections and explores its history in science, healthcare, and bioethics. It offers a distinct focus within the city's cultural attractions.
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