Booker T Washington National Monument

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Tobacco field being plowed by man with two draft horses
The main crop on the plantation where Booker T. Washington was born was tobacco. This photograph shows a man with draft horses preparing to plow a field.
Back side of kitchen cabin and smokehouse in snow with blue sky and trees
The reconstructed kitchen cabin and smoke house on the farm where Booker T. Washington was born.
Four people dressed as enslaved people in front of the fireplace in cabin
Re-enactors portraying enslaved people in the reconstructed kitchen cabin where Booker T. Washington was born and lived for 9 years.
Kitchen cabin with child in green dress in front
Visit the reconstructed kitchen cabin where Dr. Washington was born
Reconstructed kitchen cabin where Booker T. Washington was born
Reconstructed kitchen cabin with herb garden
Two re-enactors portraying enslaved people sitting in front of fire inside kitchen cabin
Two re-enactors portraying enslaved people sitting in front of fire inside kitchen cabin
Visitor Center
Visitor Center
Exhibits on outside of visitor center bathrooms
Exhibits on outside of visitor center bathrooms
Booker T. Washington Elementary School (Park Headquarters)
Booker T. Washington Elementary School (Park Headquarters)
Photos: National Park Service

About Booker T Washington National Monument

Booker T. Washington was born a slave in April 1856 on the 207-acre farm of James Burroughs. After the Civil War, Washington became the first principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School. Later as an adviser, author and orator, his past would influence his philosophies as the most influential African American of his era. Come explore his birthplace.

Quick Facts

State Virginia
Designation National Monument
State Code VA
Weather Please contact the park at 540/682-0173 during inclement weather conditions to find out about closures.

Location & Map

Booker T Washington National Monument is located in Virginia.

Operating Hours

The park grounds and restrooms are open daily from 9:00 am-5:00 pm. Visitor Center Hours: The Visitor Center is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. The Visitor Center is closed on Monday and Tuesday. Booker T. Washington National Monument will be closed for Thanksgiving Day, December 24 after 2 p.m., December 25 all day, and January 1 all day. The park may close early on December 31. The park closes sometimes due to inclement weather. Call the park at 540-682-0173 for more information.

Wednesday 10:00AM - 5:00PM
Monday 10:00AM - 5:00PM
Thursday 10:00AM - 5:00PM
Sunday 10:00AM - 5:00PM
Tuesday 10:00AM - 5:00PM
Friday 10:00AM - 5:00PM
Saturday 10:00AM - 5:00PM

Activities

Arts and Culture Craft Demonstrations Cultural Demonstrations Live Music Food Picnicking Guided Tours Self-Guided Tours - Walking Hiking Living History Reenactments Junior Ranger Program Park Film Museum Exhibits

Getting There

The monument is located on VA 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 Blule Ridge Parkway take VA 43 south to VA 122. From Lynchburg take U.S. 460 west to VA 122.

View Official Directions

Contact & Address

Address 12130 Booker T. Washington Highway, Hardy, VA, 24101
Phone 5406820173
Email bowa_rangers_3@nps.gov

Topics & Themes

African American Heritage Birthplace Enslavement Farming and Agriculture Plantations Monuments and Memorials Reconstruction Schools and Education Social Movements Civil Rights Wars and Conflicts Civil War

Things To Do

Take a hike on the Jack-O-Lantern Branch Trail

Take a hike on the Jack-O-Lantern Branch Trail

Take a hike on the Jack-O-Lantern Branch trail and see the forest where Booker T. Washington travelled as a child!…

Take a hike into the wilderness to engage with nature in the outdoors. You may see deer and turkeys at…

Visitor Centers

Visitor Center

The visitor center is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. -4:00 p.m., except for Thanksgiving, December 25, and January 1. Please call the park…

Hours: The Visitor Center is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. The park grounds and restrooms are open daily from 9:00 am-5:00 pm. Booker T. Washington National Monument will be closed for Thanksgiving day, December 24 after 2 p.m., December 25 all day, and January 1 all day. The park may close early on December 31. The park closes sometimes due to inclement weather. Call the park at 540-682-0173 for more information.

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