Booker T Washington National Monument

Booker T Washington National Monument is located in Southern Virginia. This US National Monument protects the birthplace of Booker T Washington who is known as the great educator.

Booker T Washington National Monument

Contents

Booker T Washington National Monument

Booker T. Washington was born a slave in April 1856 on the 207-acre farm of James Burroughs. Booker T. Washington National Monument is located on the former Burroughs Plantation. In 1850, James and Elizabeth Burroughs moved their children and a few slaves to this 207-acre tobacco farm in southwestern Virginia.

Booker T Washingtons' mother was the plantation cook, a slave named Jane. He was born in 1856.

He spent his youth working on the farm. He worked until the end of the Civil War.

Mr. Washington believed in the value of education and its power. At the age of 25, he was named the 1st president of Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. While at Tuskegee Institute he recruited George Washington Carver to be part of the faculty.

Visitor Center

The visitor center is the perfect place to start your visit. There is a really great film that shares what life was like for Booker T. Washington.

There are exhibits about slavery and tobacco farming.

You can also pick up a Junior Ranger booklet from the visitor center and shop in the small park store.

You can watch the Measure of a Man park video online.

Plantation Trail

The Plantation Trail is a ¼ mile loop through the historic area. It is paved and does have a decline to reach the historic area which you will need to walk up to reach the parking area.

At the end of the trail you can visit a replica kitchen of where Booker T Washington's mother worked and they lived.

Jack o Lantern Trail

“Here I learned to love the soil, to love cows and pigs and trees and flowers and birds and worms and creeping things. I have always been intensely fond of outdoor life.” - Booker T. Washington

The Jack o Lantern Trail is a mile and a half through the fields surrounding the park. You can find trail guides at the visitor center.

Farm Area

Sheep, pigs, horses, and chickens help provide the mood to explore this recreated 1850's tobacco farm.

Picnic Area

There is a picnic area near the visitor center.

Junior Ranger Program

The Junior Ranger program can be completed while in the park. It is great for all ages!

Download The Pathway to Success Junior Ranger Book now!

Things to know when planning a visit

Park Address - 12130 Booker T. Washington Highway, Hardy, VA 24101

The monument is located on AV 122 (Booker T. Washington Highway), 22 miles southeast of Roanoke, VA. From I-81 take I-581, then U.S. 220 south from Roanoke to VA 122.

From the Blue Ridge Parkway take VA 43 south to VA 122.

From Lynchburg take U.S. 460 west to VA 122.

Park Hours - open daily except for Thanksgiving, December 25, and January 1

Entrance Fee - $0.00, there is no fee to visit the park.

Closest Airports - Roanoke, VA (25 miles from the park) and Lynchburg, VA (50 miles from the park)

Public Transportation - Public transportation to the park is not available.

WiFi - There is no public WiFi in the park.