Booker T Washington National Monument - Hardy, Virginia

Address:12130 Booker T. Washington Highway
Hardy, Virginia
Tel: (540) 721-2094

Pay tribute to the one of the most influential African American leaders in history and get a taste of the life of American slaves in the mid 1800s.

The Booker T. Washington National Memorial reconstructs the childhood of the famous man, as well as preserves buildings and creates demonstrations of farm life and slavery in Civil War era Virginia. Against all odds, Washington worked his way through school and achieved prominence as an educator, founder of Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, author, and advisor to presidents. This National Monument was established in 1956 to honor his life and work, a century after he was born. Guests can begin at the visitor center, which offers a slide show and a map with a self-guided plantation tour, along with nature walks that wind through the original Burroughs property. There are also guided tours lasting between 30 and 45 minutes given daily at 11am and 2pm. Take in the fresh air on the Plantation Trail which loops through the historic area and passes reconstructions of the 19th century farm buildings similar to those that stood on the Burroughs Plantation when Washington lived here as a boy. In addition to the Plantation Trail, the monument provides a 1½ mile walk through fields and forests on the Jack-O-Lantern Branch Trail. Everyone will enjoy a picnic in the woods and seeing the sheep, pigs, horses and chickens who live on the grounds and add authenticity to the feel of the recreated 1850's tobacco farm.

The Booker T. Washington National Memorial is located in Franklin County, Virgina. To get there, you can take the VA 40E, VA 122N, US 220S, or US 460 W. The Memorial is just 25 miles southeast of Roanoke. Enjoy the great outdoors and get a window into plantation life in the antebellum South.