With the passing of this bill the success of the Atlanta Exposition was assured.
Soon after this trip to Washington the directors of the Exposition decided that it would be a fitting recognition of the coloured race to erect a large and attractive building which should be devoted wholly to showing the progress of the Negro since freedom.

It was further decided to have the building designed and erected wholly by Negro mechanics.
This plan was carried out.

In design, beauty, and general finish the Negro Building was equal to the others on the grounds.
After it was decided to have a separate Negro exhibit, the question arose as to who should take care of it.

The officials of the Exposition were anxious that I should assume this responsibility, but I declined to do so, on the plea that the work at Tuskegee at that time demanded my time and strength.

Largely at my suggestion, Mr.I.Garland Penn, of Lynchburg, Va., was selected to be at the head of the Negro department.
I gave him all the aid that I could.