Booker T Washington National Monument
VA
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.
Things To Do
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Start at the Booker T. Washington Visitor Center
Begin your visit at the Booker T. Washington Visitor Center. Pick up a park brochure and stamp your Passport to Your National Parks. Children can pick up a Junior Ranger activity book. Ask the information desk staff for help planning your visit. Explore exhibits on Booker T. Washington's early life, from his birth into enslavement to his emancipation at age nine. Watch the 13-minute film highlighting life on a mid-19th-century Virginia plantation.
Explore Exhibits on Booker T. Washington’s Early Life
The Booker T. Washington Visitor Center offers an in-depth look at life on a small tobacco plantation in Piedmont, Virginia. Two large circular exhibits immerse visitors in the experiences of Booker T. Washington, who was born into slavery in 1856, during the years leading up to and including the American Civil War, on James Burroughs' 207-acre tobacco farm.
Ring the Bell: A Symbolic Marker of Freedom
Booker T. Washington and his family were among the four million enslaved individuals emancipated in Virginia in 1865, following the arrival of Union troops at the Burroughs Plantation in Hale’s Ford, Franklin County. Although historical records do not confirm whether Union troops or formerly enslaved individuals rang the bell, Booker T. Washington National Monument recognizes it as a symbolic marker of freedom for the Washington family and others on the plantation.
Enjoy a Picnic at Booker T. Washington National Monument
The picnic area at Booker T. Washington National Monument sits on a shaded hillside next to the visitor center parking lot, offering a comfortable outdoor space for visitors to rest and eat. The picnic area is part of the monument’s grounds, which include a visitor center, a historical core, and walking trails. This location offers a convenient option for visitors who want to combine sightseeing with a meal.
Bring Your Dog for a Walk to Booker T. Washington NM
Booker T. Washington National Monument in Hardy, Virginia, is dog-friendly and welcomes leashed dogs on the grounds and the Jack-O’-Lantern Branch Heritage Trail. The park offers a pleasant, low-traffic environment for walking dogs, with short, accessible trails and a mix of historical and natural features. Please adhere to the six-foot leash rule at all times and clean up after your dog to ensure responsible park use.
Take a Tour of the Historic Core on the Plantation Trail
Explore Booker T. Washington’s early life at the site of the former Burroughs Plantation. The historic core includes points of interest and reconstructed mid-19th-century buildings. The Plantation Trail forms a 0.55-mile loop, passing structures such as a horse barn, kitchen cabin, smokehouse, blacksmith shop, and a historic tobacco barn accessible to visitors along the trail.
Available Activities
Weather
Please contact the park at 540/682-0173 during inclement weather conditions to find out about closures.
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.
Plan Your Visit
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Hours
Park Grounds
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.
