Founded in 1868 by Samuel Chapman Armstrong, Hampton Institute established the model for education among Southern Blacks. Born in Hawai'i to American missionaries, Armstrong grew up in a family immersed in the islands' religious, social, and educational life. His father had served as the islands' Superintendent of Public Instruction, helping to found the islands' Hilo Boarding and Manual Labor School. In Armstrong's opinion, this type of school would also best meet the needs of Southern Blacks by addressing the problems of emancipation, enfranchisement, and the Christian civilizing of dark-skinned people like the Hawaiians of his youth. This entry examines the Hampton model of industrial education, which was born out of Armstrong's early life experiences and reflected his worldview, his social class, and his values.

Armstrong ...