Theodore Roosevelt Presidential LibraryPublic Lands Directory

Alerts and conditions

All clear. The managing agency, the National Weather Service and wildfire reporting show no current alerts.

Overview

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.

From the National Park Service

History

The designation history for this site (every law, proclamation and order, and the administration behind each) is being researched and checked by the Library’s historians.

What to see and do

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

Browse hiking, biking and paddling routes on AllTrails

Plan your visit

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.

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.

Visitor centers

Weather

Please contact the park at 540/682-0173 during inclement weather conditions to find out about closures.

Phone: 5406820173

Whose lands these are

These lands are the ancestral and present-day homelands of Native nations. A section on whose lands these are is being prepared with tribal review. In the meantime, Native Land Digital offers a starting point.

Photos

Back side of kitchen cabin and smokehouse in snow with blue sky and trees
The reconstructed kitchen cabin and smoke house in the snow · NPS Photo
Four people dressed as enslaved people in front of the fireplace in cabin
Re-enactors in the reconstructed kitchen cabin at the Old Virginia Christmas Event · NPS Photo
Reconstructed kitchen cabin where Booker T. Washington was born
Reconstructed kitchen cabin where Booker T. Washington was born · NPS photo
Two re-enactors portraying enslaved people sitting in front of fire inside kitchen cabin
An Old Virginia Christmas · NPS photo
Visitor Center
Visitor center · NPS photo
Exhibits on outside of visitor center bathrooms
Exhibits on outside of visitor center bathrooms · NPS photo

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