Administrative Information

Access

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

The George Washington Owens Papers, 1944-12 , Special Collections and Archives, Johnston Memorial Library, Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA.

Acquisition Information

In Johnston Memorial Library in 1976.

Biographical/Historical Information

George W. owens was born on January 21, 1875 on a farm near Alma, Kansas. He attended the local district schools near Alma, where at times he, his brothers,and his siters were the only African American pupils in school. After finishing school he then took the local examination for a teachers certificate. After receiving his certificate,with high grades, he moved to Manhattan in 1896 to attended Kansas State agricultural College where he became the first African American to graduate in the year of 1899.

In September of 1899 he went to Tuskegee Institute where he took over the management of the Dairy Herd and the production of all dairy products. He continued there until 1907. In 1908 Professor George Washington Owens was invited to Virginia State where he would also be put in charge of all operations concerning the school's dairy.

In 1926 Owens and others formed "The New Farmers of Virginia" which was later renamed " The New Farmers of America". The overall purpose of this organization was to encourage the young men to improve their vocational skills at work, on the farm,other educational activities, and also their social life as connected to work. He is considered to be the founder of the Department of Agriculture and was honored having the Agriculture building named for him.

Scope and Content Information

A Handwritten biography of George Washington Owens Areas covered his life, Agricultural Education in Virginia, Agricultural extension, and the New Farmer of America. The Biography has names of individuals, places, and information about some family members. One letter book, most of the letters congratulating him on his retirement.