I invite you to listen to an indepth interview: On with Leon Presents John F. Baker Jr. with host Dr. Leon Wilmer.
Sirius XM Radio Interview with John F. Baker Jr.
March 13th, 2009Wessyngton Descendants at Borders Book Signing
March 10th, 2009On March 7th I had a book signing at Borders in Nashville. The event was well attended by many family members and friends. I met several new cousins there. The event also brought together descendants of Wessyngton’s founder Joseph Washington, and African American descendants, whose ancestors came from the plantation. A group photograph was taken of both families.
Wessyngton Descendants at Borders Book Signing
Atlanta Book Tour
March 3rd, 2009The book tour in Atlanta went very well. On the first day of my trip I visited the home of Mrs. Ann Nixon Cooper and presented her with an autographed copy of The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation. I was very honored to have Mrs. Cooper sign a copy of the book for me.
Baker presents Mrs. Cooper with The Washingtons of Wessyngton
The second day of my tour I was interviewed about the book by Dr. Collette Hopkins, director of the National Black Arts Festival, who graciously accompained me to the book signing at Waldenbooks.
Collette Hopkins Director of the NBAF with John Baker
Baker at Waldenbooks
On the third day of the tour Dr. Opal Moore interviewed me at the Auburn Research Library. I later gave a presentation followed by a book signing.
Baker interview with Opal Moore at National Black Arts Festival
Baker presentation at NBAF
Baker at NBAF book signing
The event was well attended and I met two new Washington cousins Jonathan and Jordan Terry who live in Atlanta. They were excited to find their names on the Washington family tree among more than 600 names.
Baker meet new cousins at NBAF
Jordan and Jonathan Terry display Washington Family Tree
My good friends Beverly Shelley and her daughter Kimberly attended the event. Their ancestors also came from Wessyngton.
Baker meets with Wessyngton descendants Beverly and Kim at NBAF
A Letter from Former President Bill Clinton
March 2nd, 2009My editor just told me that she received a letter from former President Bill Clinton. After thanking her for sending him the book, he wrote, “it was wonderful!” I will certainly place that letter in a place of honor in my home.
Letter from former President Bill Clinton
WKRN-TV Black Heritage Special-Video
February 25th, 2009Please take a look at the Black Heritage video with Anne Holt at Wessyngton. It aired on February 22nd and 24th.
I’m on Facebook
February 23rd, 2009I invite you to join my Facebook page. Please let your friends know about it as well.
“The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation – John Baker’s look into history“
Wessyngton Discoveries Continue
February 21st, 2009While in Evansville, IN a few weeks ago I had the pleasure of meeting a new cousin, Mildred Moore Robinson. When she saw my book cover she was very surprised and told me that she had the same picture in an old album. It turned out that the photograph she had was an original and had my great-great-grandfather’s name (Emanuel Washington) written on the back of it. He he had paid forty cents for the photograph which was nearly a day’s pay. The photo had been passed to his daughter Martha Washington White, who was Ms. Robinson’s maternal grandmother. I was honored when Cousin Mildred gave me the photograph.
Original 1891 Wessyngton Photo
Book Tour in Evansville, IN
February 13th, 2009I just returned from Evansville, IN after a very busy two days. I gave a presentation at Willard Library, Evansville African American Museum and a book signing, gave television and radio interviews, and spoke to nearly 100 elementary, junior high, and high school students at three schools. One television interview will air on Thursday, Feb. 19 at 6:00 P.M. on WNIN-NPR.
Presentation at McGary Middle School
Book signing at Barnes and Noble
Book signing at Barnes and Noble, Evansville, IN
Book Tour- First Stop
February 5th, 2009I’m starting on my Book Tour. I’ll be going to Evansville, IN to speak at a museum, to school, and other venues. I will also be on television and radio. My dates there will be Friday Feb. 6 to Saturday. These events were set up by my Washington cousins. For years at every program some would ask “When is your book coming out?” Now I can answer, “Here it is!” You can see all the events: http://wessyngton.com/Index/Appearances