Rocky Rambles to Booker T. Washington National Monument in Franklin County, Virginia

If you’ve ever been confused between the story of Booker T. Washington and George Washington Carver, you’re not alone. But, you’re in luck, because the good folks at Booker T. Washington National Monument will help you with that. Park Ranger Betsy Haynes explains…

The park is located at 12130 Booker T Washington Hwy, Hardy, Virginia. Click on the address to see it on a map, from which you can build directions from your home.

Here is the link for all sorts of information about:  Booker T. Washington. That is your key to everything and all the contacts you need, especially for attending special events or setting up a special tour.

Before I continue on about activities at Booker T. Washington National Monument, here is the link to the Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site, the university started by Booker T. , who hired George Washington Carver, who developed all his research about peanuts at the this university.

Back to Booker T. Washington National Monument activities. Here is their activity page, with some of the special events mentioned

Juneteenth Celebration

The third (3rd) Saturday of June every year is their , the day the park commemorates the news that Booker T. Washington, his mother Jane, and the rest of the plantation were informed of emancipation – the dissolution of slavery – and sent Jane taking her family to West Virginia as free people. The day is commemorated with children’s activities, food vendors, and a living history recreation of the time news of emancipation came to the Burroughs Plantation. The day is capped off with a free Gospel Concert in the evening. This year’s headlinners are: The Joybells, Darrell McFadden and the Disciples, Perkins & Envision, Larnell Starkey & The Spiritual Seven, We are DMD, and The Appointed Messengers for Christ.

Junior Ranger Month

July is Junior Ranger Month at Booker T. Washington National Monument. Check the webpage for details.

Harvest Time Event

History Comes Alive at Booker T. Washington National Monument! Come experience craft and farm demonstrations by expert living history reenactors. Children’s activities, food vendors, and horse-drawn wagon rides compliment a fun and educational family event you will not want to miss! This event is FREE!!

 An Old Virginia Christmas

An evening event with living history of a Virginia Christmas in days gone by – including the celebration of the Yule Log!

We also discussed volunteering in the park. If you’re looking for such an opportunity, contact the staff at Booker T. Washington NM, or any other specific park. Or, you can tap into a nation-wide effort to unite potential volunteers with host sites. Click here:  Workamper 

You’ll definitely enjoy a ramble out to this great park. AND, it’s free to the public!

As you go about your rambling, make sure you are driving a safe, well-maintained vehicle to get you there and back safely.

Defensive Driving Tip for this Week:

Leave your attitude at home. Road rage causes accidents. Monitor your mood. If you are running late, just had a fight with the boss, or the spouse – or just sorta fed up with humanity on a day, check that mood and remind yourself that you still want to get to your destination safely. Imagine the mood you’d be in if you killed someone because you drove under the influence of a bad attitude.

Until my next episode…Here’s wishing you SAFE RAMBLING!