Uncle Tom's Plantation
- Identifier
- DBB-BUS-01154
- Name
- Uncle Tom's Plantation
- Type
- Business
- Activity
- club / theater / entertainment venue
- Description
-
The following quote about this business comes from the "Eight Mile-Wyoming Neighborhood, Detroit, Michigan, Survey Report," prepared by Quinn Evans for the City of Detroit Historic Designation Advisory Board, March 2022:
"On the Royal Oak Township/Ferndale side of the neighborhood, an Eight Mile-Wyoming institution opened in the early 1930s. “Doc” Washington, a native of Kingston, Jamaica, opened “Uncle Tom’s Plantation,” a nightclub at 8200 West Eight Mile Road. In the 1940s and 1950s, it was a legendary “black and tan” establishment that catered to an integrated clientele and hosted some of the greatest names in entertainment. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, it became a pioneer in the Black Drag scene, hosting female impersonator revues often featuring headliner Priscilla Dean. Doc Washington was also an important community supporter, helping fellow Black business owners by lending them money or providing space in one of the buildings he owned to get their business started. He reportedly donated the land for Our Lady of Victory Church on Eight Mile Road."
Quinn Evans cites the following primary sources for information about "Doc" Washington:
“From Prosperity to Popsicles and Back Again – That’s Doc Washington’s Story,” Michigan Chronicle, January 28, 1950, 21; “Mourn Death of Club Plantation Nightclub Owner,” Michigan Chronicle, March 4, 1972, A8. - Location
- 8200 W Eight Mile Rd
- Affiliates
-
Dean, Priscilla (female impersonator)
Role: Other Affiliate (drag performer)Washington, "Doc"
Role: Owner and/or Operator - References
-
"Eight Mile-Wyoming Neighborhood, Detroit, Michigan, Survey Report," prepared by Quinn Evans for the City of Detroit Historic Designation Advisory Board, March 2022, https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2022-10/2022-03-31_Eight%20Mile-Wyoming%20Survey%20Report%20FINAL.pdf.
- Documentation
-
1942-06-27 Michigan Chronicle, 18 ("Doc" Washington's Uncle Tom's Plantation)
-
1942-12-19 Michigan Chronicle, 18 (Uncle Tom's Plantation)
- Title
- Uncle Tom's Plantation