GENEALOGY & BOOK EVENTS

John Baker is an Author, Speaker, and Genealogy Consultant unraveling family history. Book John today for your event.

Baker is an experienced speaker. He will be available to speak to diverse organizations such as national historical conferences, historical societies, colleges and universities, churches, genealogy conferences and other associations.

Upcoming Events

 

OrganizationCityDateTimeLocation
    2022    
Indiana State University - Presentation: The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation Bloomington Apr. 8   Indiana State University
         
Robertson County Historical Society - Presentation: The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation Springfield Feb. 26 3:00 CST Robertson County Museum
         
Robertson County Historial Society - Presentation: The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation Springfield Feb. 25 6:00 CST Robertson County Museum
         
Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church - Presentation The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation Orlinda Feb. 13 1:00 CST Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church
         
TN History for Kids -Presentation: The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation (Virtual Inservice for for Teachers throughout Tennessee) Virtual Feb. 10   Virtual
         
    2021    
African American Historical Genealogical Society - Finding Stories Behind the Name Nashville Aug. 7 9:30 CST Tennessee State Library and Archives
         
Tennessee State Museum - Book Club - John Baker discusses The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation  Nashville Feb. 11 6:00 CST  Virtual 
         
Columbus Regional Airport Authority - Presentation on The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation  Columbus Feb. 24 3:00 EST  Virtual



Past Events

       
Organization City Date Time Location
         
     2020    
Featured in Chicago Crusader:  Slave Descendant John F Baker Jr. Shares 'Journey to Freedom' Stories Chicago 4-6--20   Chicago
         
     2019    
Belle Meade Plantation - Presentation - The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation - Juneteenth Celebration Belle Meade, Tennessee 6-22-19   Belle Meade Plantation Museum and Winery
         
Oaklands Mansion - The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation - Presentation - Book signing to follow Murfreesboro 4-7-19   Oaklands Mansion
         
Clement Museum Outreach Committee - The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation - Presentation - Book signing to follow Dickson, Tennessee 2-23-19   Tennsco Community Center
         
Houston County Chamber of Commerce and Historical Society - Presentation - The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation Erin, Tennessee  2-12-19    Little Rock Baptist Church
         
     2018    
Slave Dwelling Conference - Presentation - The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation - Followed by showing of documentary Wessyngton Plantation: A Family's Road to Freedom and book signing Murfreesboro, Tennessee 10-25-18   Middle Tennessee State University
         
The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation - Presentation Springfield Rotary Club Springfield, TN Jun. 20   Springfield, TN
         
The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation - Presentation Willard Library Evansville, IN Apr. 28   Willard Library
         
African American Genealogical Society,the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the Oberlin African American Genealogy and History Group Cleveland, OH Mar. 10   Westwood Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
         
     2017    
Granville Museum - The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation - Presentation Granville, TN Apr. 8   Granville Museum
         
Customs House Museum - The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation - Presentation & Book signing Clarksville, TN Feb. 26   Customs House Museum
         
     2016    
Society of Tennessee Archivists - The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation - Presentation Franklin, TN Oct. 29   Williamson County Archives
         
Evansville Museum of Art - The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation - Presentation Evansville, IN Aug. 4   Evansville Museum of Art
Gordon Memorial Methodist Church - The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation - Presentation Nashville Apr. 30   Gordon Memorial Methodist Church
         
Springfield Civic Center - The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation - Presentation Springfield Apr. 23   Springfield Civic Center
         
New York Times Why Slaves' Graves Matter New York Apr. 3   New York Times
Churchwell Elementary School - The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation - Teachers Workshop Nashville, TN Mar. 28  

Churchwell Elementary School

         
Bridge Hill Baptist Church - The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation - Presentation   Feb. 21   Bridge Hill Baptist Church
         
Faith Apostolic Church - The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation - Presentation Ashland City Feb. 20   Faith Apostolic Church
         
     2015    
Tom and O. E. Stigall Ethnic Library and History Museum - The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation Humboldt, TN Dec. 12   Boys and Girls Club of Humboldt
         
City of Adams and Community Spirit Inc. - The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation Adams, TN Oct. 4   Bell School Community Complex
         
TN History for Kids - African American Lives on Wessyngton Plantation Chattanooga, TN Aug. 11   East Hamilton High School
         
TN History for Kids - African American Lives on Wessyngton Plantation Nashville, TN Jun. 9   Nashville Public Library
         
Austin Peay University - Presentation: The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation Clarksville, TN Feb. 3   Austin Peay University
         
     2014    
Lipscomb University's Fall Symposium - The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation Nashville, TN Nov. 15   Lipscomb Univeristy
         
Tennessee State Museum -  Viewing and Panel Discussion - Wessyngton Plantation: A Family's Road to Freedom Nashville, TN Aug. 24   Tennessee State Museum
         
Tennessee State Museum -  Viewing and Panel Discussion - Wessyngton Plantation: A Family's Road to Freedom Nashville, TN Aug. 17   Tennessee State Museum
         
Lake Providence Baptist Church - Presentation and Book signing Nashville, TN Aug 10   Lake Providence Baptist Church
         
Tennessee State Museum - Presentation and Book signing - The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation Nashville, TN Aug 2   Tennessee State Museum
         
Nashville Public Television Documentary - Wessyngton Plantation: A Family's Road to Freedom  Nashville, TN Jul 29    NPT Channel 8
         
Slave Dwelling Project Symposium, Presentation: Slavery on Wessyngton Plantation Nashville, TN May 22   John Early Magnet School
         
Slave Dwelling Project Symposium, Presentation: Slavery on Wessyngton Plantation  Nashville, TN     May 22    Clover Bottom Mansion
         
St. Pius X Classical Academy.  Presentation: The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation: Stories of My Family's Journey to Freedom  Nashville     May 6    St. Pius X Classical Academy
         
Presentation: The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation Nashville, TN    Apr. 6   Christ Church
         
Tennessee State Museum - Presentation and Book signing:  The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation   Nashville, TN  Mar. 29   Tennessee State Museum
         
Robertson County Retired Teachers Association - Presentation:  The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation  Springfield Mar. 17     Robertson County Senior Center
         
Slaves and Slaveholders of Wessyngton Plantation   Teachers Workshop Nashville Mar. 1   Tennessee State Museum
         
NAACP, Nashville Chapter - Presentation:  The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation Nashville Feb. 27   Matthew Walker Health Center
         
Presentation: The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation Adams Feb. 25   Moss's Restaurant
         
Robertson County Black History Association - Presentation and Workshop: The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation Springfield Feb. 22   First Baptist Church
         
Friends of Tennessee State Library and Archives - Presentation: The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation Nashville    Feb. 22   Tennessee State Library and Archives
         
Bransford Youth and Community Center - Presentation: The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation   Feb. 21   Bransford Youth Center
         
Slaves and Slaveholders of Wessyngton Plantation Teachers Workshop Nashville Feb. 15   Tennessee State Museum
         
Research at the National Archives and Beyond Radio Talk Show:  The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation with John F. Baker Jr.  Washington DC Feb. 13   Radio Broadcast
         
Tennessee State Museum - Exhibit: Slaves and Slaveholders of Wessyngton Plantation Nashville    Feb. 11   Tennessee State Museum
         
Slave and Slaveholders of Wessyngton Plantation Nashville Feb. 10    
         
Salem AME - Presentation: The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation Nashville Feb. 9   Salem AME Church Nashville, TN
         
The Hermitage - Presentation: The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation Hermitage Feb. 1   The Hermitage
         
     2013    
Slave Cemetery at Former Middle Tennessee Plantation Gives Up Secrets:  Nashville Tennessean   Dec. 31    
Researchers Study Slave Cemetery:  USA Today    Dec. 28    
Greenbrier Historical Society - The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantaton: Stories of My Family's Journey to Freedom Greenbrier, TN Oct. 15   First Baptist Church
Afro-American Historical Society Inc. - Chronicling the Lives and Burial Ground of Slaves on Wessyngton Plantation  Nashville, TN  Oct. 11   The Inn at Opryland 
Promised Land Community Reunion & Festival - Genealogy Workshop - The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation: Documenting 200 years 

Promised Land-Dickson County, TN 

 May 31    Promised Land Community Center-Dickson County, TN
Nashville Public Library - Presentation The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation and book signing Nashville Apr. 13   Nashville Public Television
Tennessee Crossroads - Television Interview at Wessyngton Plantation Channel 8 Nashville    Mar. 31 Nashville Public Television
Tennessee Crossroads - Television Interview at Wessyngton Plantation Channel 8 Nashville Mar. 28   Nashville Public Television
Antioch Baptist Church - Presentation The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation Cedar Hill Feb. 17   Antioch Baptist Church
    2012    
Southern Festival of Books Nashville Oct. 13   Legislative Plaza
Southern Festival of Books 5th Annual Authors in the Round - Book discussion of The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation Nashville Oct. 12   War Memorial Auditorium
The Cantrell Foundation - Presentation The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation Springfield Feb. 25   M&M Center
Tennessee State Library and Archives - Seminar on DNA Genealogy Nashville Feb. 18   Tennessee State Library and Archives
The Hermitage - Presentation The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation and workshop on tracing African American Genealogy Hermitage Feb. 11   The Hermitage
    2011    
Society of Tennessee Genealogist - Presentation The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation Nashville Oct. 27   John Seigenthaler Center - Nashville
Southern Kentucky Pathfinders - Presentation Russellville, KY Sept. 17   Roy's Barbeque
Warren County Public Library - Presentation and Book signing Bowling Green Aug. 25   Warren County Public Library
Television Interview - WBKO Bowling Green Aug. 25   WBKO
Radio Interview - WWDNS/WKCT Bowling Green Aug. 23    
Gardner Family Reunion - Tour of Wessyngton Cedar Hill Aug. 20   Wessyngton Farms
Terry Family Reunion - Tour of Wessyngton Cedar Hill Aug. 13   Wessyngton Farms
Clarksville Historical Society - Presentation Clarksville May 19   Clarksville Public Library
Metro Nashville Archives - Presentation Nashville May 3   Metro Archives
Les Gemmes Inc., Nashville Chapter - Fourth Annual Literary Luncheon - Presentation and book signing Nasvhille Mar. 5   Millennium Maxwell House Hotel
         
Meharry Medical College - Discussion Nashville Mar. 4   Meharry Medical College
         
Clement Museum - Presentation and Book signing Dickson Feb. 26   Clement Museum
         
Greenbrier Elementary School - Presentation Greenbrier Feb. 23   Greenbrier Elementary School
         
Christian County Kentucky Historical Society - Presentation Hopkinsville Feb. 22   Hopkinsville
         
Tennessee State University - 30th Conference on African American History and Culture- Presentation - On the Road to Freedom: African Americans on Wessyngton Plantation During the Civil War. Nashville Feb. 9   Avon Williams Campus - Downtown
         
Mt. Olive Cemetery Preservation Society - Civil War Era Freedmen's Cotillion - Book signing Clarksville Feb. 5   Riverview Inn
         
Huntsville Madison County Public Library - Presentation and book signing Huntsville Jan. 29   Madison County Public Library
         
The Tennessee Tribune Tennessee Genealogist Discovered His Family Roots in 7th Grade Textbook Nashville Jan. 27    
         
     2010    
Christian Care Nursing Center - Presentation - The History of Wessyngton Plantation Springfield Sept. 13   Christian Care Center
         
Federation of Genealogical Societies - James Dent Walker Memorial Lecture - "Connecting Land and People: Using Farm Recrods to Illuminate Slave Families: and "African American Families: Using Manuscripts and Special Collections" Knoxville Aug. 20   Knoxville Convention Center
         
Wessyngton Plantation - St. James Baptist Church - Washington Family Reunion Cedar Hill Jun. 17   Wessyngton
         
Wessyngton Plantation - National Black Arts Festival - Program Cedar Hill Jun. 12   Wessyngton
Kenwood Middle School - Presentation Clarksville May 11   Clarksville
Day Spring Academy - Study Group Cedar Hill Apr. 30   Cedar Hill
Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society-Atlanta Chapter Atlanta Apr. 24   National Archives
Springfield High School - Presentation Springfield Apr. 20   Springfield
Montgomery Historical Society - Presentation and Book signing Clarksville Apr. 19   Austin Peay University - Gentry Auditorium
Williams Chapel Church - Presentation and Book signing Spring Lake, NC Apr. 16   Williams Chapel 1230 N Bragg Blvd
Center for Black Literature Brooklyn Mar. 26   Medgar Evers College
Springfield Rotary Club - Presentation Springfield Mar. 17   First Presbyterian Church
Montgomery County Archives - Presentation & Book signing Clarksville Mar. 13   Montgomery County Archives
Bob Edwards Show Sirius XM Radio - Interview Washington DC Mar. 8   Washington DC
Williamson County Public Library - Presentation Franklin Mar. 6   Williamson County Public Library
St. James Baptist Church - Presentation Cedar Hill Feb. 28   St. James Baptist Church
Scattersville - Parker's Chapel Community and Historical Society - Presentation & Book signing Portland Feb. 25   Kerley Building
Fifty Forward - Presentation Madison Feb. 23   Madison Station
St. Louis African American Genealogy & History Society St. Louis Feb. 20   Harris-Stowe University
Scaritt-Bennett Center - Presentation and Book signing Nashville Feb. 19   Scarritt-Bennett Center
Customs House Museum - Presentation & Book signing Clarksville Feb. 18   Customs House Museum
Presentation & Book signing Ft. Campbell Feb. 18   Cole Park Commons
The Hermitage - Private Presentation Hermitage Jan. 20   The Hermitage
    2009    
Birmingham Afrfican American Genealogy Study Group - Presentation Birmingham Dec. 13   Birmingham Central Library
First United Methodist Church Springfield Dec. 11   First United Meth. Ch.
Marshall County Memorial Library Foundation - Presentation Lewisburg Nov. 21   First National Bank
Rutherford County Historical Society - Presentation and Book signing Murfreesboro Nov. 14   Woman's Club
Portland Arts & Craft Show - Book signing Portland Nov. 14   Portland East Middle School
Springfield High School - Presentation Springfield Nov. 5   Springfield High School
International Black Genealogy Summit - Meet the Author Ft. Wayne Oct. 29   Allen County Public Library
IN African American Genealogy Group Indianapolis Aug. 22   Eiteljorg Museum
Multicultural Points and Perspectives Indianapolis Aug. 21   Comcast Channel 20
IN African American Genealogy Group Indianapolis Aug. 21   Crispus Attucks High School
IN African American Genealogy Group Indianapolis Aug. 21   Shortridge Middle School
Terry Family Reunion - Book signing Springfield Aug. 8   Springfield National Guard Armory
Genealogy Workshop -TSLA Nashville July 25   Tennessee State Lib. & Arch.
Fox 17 News Nashville June 22   Television Interview
Maury County Public Library Columbia June 16   Maury County Public Lib.
St. Louis African American Gen. Soc. St. Louis May 23   Missouri History Museum
Kiwanis Club-Presentation/Book sign Springfield May 19   First United Methodist Church
John Siegenthaler Interview on WNPT Nashville May 17   Television Interview
Hermitage - Book Signing Hermitage May 17   Tulip Grove Mansion
Greenbrier Historical Society Greenbrier Apr. 21   First Baptist Church - Greenbrier
Plus Side of Nashville Channel 50 Nashville Apr. 19   Television Interview
What's the 411 w/Sharon Kay 88.1FM Nashville Apr. 1   Radio Interview
Borders/Book signing Nashville Mar. 7   West End Avenue
African American Literary Review Tampa Mar. 4   Radio Interview
National Black Arts Festival Atlanta Feb. 28   Auburn Avenue Research Center
Tim & Marcia Show Sirius XM Radio Nashville Feb. 28   Radio Interview
Waldenbooks/Book signing Atlanta Feb. 27   CNN Center
Martha Zoller Show - WDUN 550 Atlanta Feb. 24   Radio Interview
News 2 -WKRN - TN's Black Heritage Nashville Feb. 21   Television Interview
Robertson Cty Archives/Book signing Springfield Feb. 21   Robertson County Archives
On With Leon - Sirius XM Radio D. C. Feb. 21   Radio Interview
WNIN-NPR Evansville Feb. 19   Television Interview
Channel 5 - CBS Talk of the Town Nashville Feb. 18   Television Interview
Tennessee State Library & Archives Nashville Feb. 17   Tennessee State Library & Archives
It's A New Day - WJZD Radio Gulf Port Feb. 17   Radio Interview
Barnes and Noble/Book signing Evansville Feb. 7   Barnes and Noble
Willard Library Evansville Feb. 7   Willard Library
WEOA 1400 A.M. Radio Evansville Feb. 7   Radio Interview
Fox 7 Evansville Feb. 6   Television Interview
WNIN-NPR Evansville Feb. 6   Television Interview
Benjamin Bosse High School Evansville Feb. 6   Benjamin Bosse High School
McGary Middle School Evansville Feb. 6   McGary Middle School
Henry Reis Alternative School Evansville Feb. 6   Henry Reis Alternative School
Evansville African American Museum Evansville Feb. 6   Evansville African American Museum
Ray of Hope Community Church Nashville Jan. 17   Ray of Hope Community Church
NHK Japan Japan Jan. 11   Documentary