booker t. washington national monument

Mention Booker T. to me, and the following MG's spring to mind. But this is a different Booker T born in a plantation which has been reconstructed to the character and appearance that the child would be familiar with.... chinked log construction, racks of drying leaves hanging in the tobacco barn, chickens and turkeys wander around freely, and in the hog-pen, Transworth, a historic breed wallows in the mud. We traipse slowly through the site, all the while noting images from history, some marred by literature and movies, that haunt the place. Its a quarter Mile of walking trail which winds through the grounds, eliciting sounds and smells of the plantation. The printed guide was very informative as to Washington's life and career. we branched off, to the Jack-o-Lantern trail, named for a little stream that flows through the fields and forest that surround the plantation. It was very peaceful and thought provoking.

Well sign posted from Rocky Mount, easy parking. Welcoming, knowledgable and enthusiastic staff. Donations rather than an entrance fee. Modern, indoor facility with a very useful introductory film. We were lucky enough to tag into a tour of the outside with student teachers from the area, given by the chief warden. So followed an indepth, informative and rounded explanation of the site, times and Booker. The Washington house was being re roofed when we were there, so we couldn't see inside, but the wardens explanations made up for that. The pigs were fun. Very good value and a well kept piece of history still very much alive.

We enjoyed a pleasant visit at this small historical site as we passed through the area. It began as a nice drive through the rural countryside and ended as a very informative glance into the life of a remarkable man who began life as a slave on this site and became a noted educator. It is a remarkably well maintained site complete with a visitors center, garden, historical buildings, animals, and walking paths. It would be a shame to miss this if one is anywhere nearby.

This is a well maintained historical site with very nice grounds and walking trails. Booker T Washington made amazing contributions to American history. The book store has several resources for those who would like to learn more.

We didn't really know what to expect out of this park, especially since TA has a picture of the Washington National Monument (which is in DC) listed for this attraction. It turns out to be a very nice, well done preservation of the plantation on which Booker T. Washington was born. Judging by other pictures and some reviews, I think that they've done some work here and made some significant changes to what was here before. There was a new wing of the building that wasn't open yet but is scheduled to open late September of 2014. When we went in the main building, the attendant took us to a meeting room where he played the 15 minute film for us. It was a decent film. It's almost impossible to make a fact-filled history documentary more entertaining. It gave us a good background on who Washington was and all of his accomplishments. After the film, we walked the property using the folded brochure the attendant gave us to identify the buildings and find everything. The original "big" house burned in 1950 but its footprint is there using stones. There were originally two slave cabins but now there is only one. I think that it is a reconstruction but it seems so authentic-looking. The film really helps you appreciate the significance of the cabin. The place is set up as if it were still an operating plantation (the brochure says that it was a 200+ acre tobacco farm but is still referred to as a plantation). In addition to the slave cabin, there is a smoke house, a pig pen with pigs, a chicken run with chickens, a barn with a horse, a blacksmith building, a tobacco shed, and a walking path. It's very nice and a great place for photos. We initially didn't walk on the grass but we figured out by the end that it was okay to walk on the grass. That's the only way to see the blacksmith area.There is also a beautiful picnic area just off of the parking lot under the thick canopy of trees. This is a very well done and family friendly park. We were very impressed.

If you are in the area I would recommend BTWNM. There is a short 15 minute video that is on par with other National Park/Monument videos. There are reproductions of out buildings (the main house burned in the 1950's), the farm (pigs, roosters, chickens, horse, sheep) and iron work. There are a few trails through the woods as well: a short one that can be done in about 15 minutes and then the longer one that can take about 45 minutes.

If you are not interested in history Booker T. Washington National Monument is probably not for you. If history interests you, then there is a fair amount here. In the Visitor Center there is a 15 minute movie explaining much about Booker T. Washington and what you will see at the site. The grounds are usually self-guided, but on special occasions, there are guides in period dress who will answer your questions and demonstrate the way things were done at the time Washington lived there. There are reproduction buildings on site that allow one to visualize life on the Borroughs farm in the mid 1800s. There are typical farm animals to view and a legacy vegetable garden. Also, there is a pleasant walking trail that follows Jack O Lantern Creek for those who are nature enthusiasts.The location is really pleasant and the site has potential to make it a truly great experience and educational site. Perhaps in the future more will be done to enhance the experience. In the meantime it is a great little stopover on a trip through Hardy VA.

The movie was dated and not great, the buildings are fair reproductions, and there was not much else there. The ranger on the desk was slow and not well informed of the area, had trouble with the gift shop check out register, and took a long time to come a start the movie, as she was on the phone with a friend. I am a NP fan, but this is a rather forgettable one!

While out canoeing on Smith Mountain Lake we decided to go to the Booker T Washington National Forest, and thought it was great! Walking around the park, taking the Jack O Latern trail and seeing the Booker T movie were all splendid! We really enjoyed our time there and seeing all the farm animals hanging around. Very cool!

Small National Park site-- Good information on Booker T Washington and his contributions to American life is given in the film and display boards. The Burroughs farm site is an interesting and surprisingly quiet place to bring young children to learn about farm animals, 19th c. tobacco farms, and the dwellings of enslaved peoples. The non-frantic site lends itself to conversations between adults and children about slavery and what they are viewing. Well-groomed grounds, not crowded, good for family interaction, nice picnic area, friendly staff- a great monument to a famous American

We love taking the dog for a peaceful hike here and learning more about plantation life each time. The grounds are impeccable and the staff is friendly and helpful.

We visited over the weekend and while it was nice and pretty well done, I really think they kind of missed the mark. This is an excellent opportunity to really teach about slavery but aside from a casual mention that Mr. Washington was born as a slave on this plantation, there was not much mentioned about slavery, slave life or anthing else. The real focus was on Mr. Washington's contributions as an educator, which are tremendous, of course, but is a subject covered elsewhere. I think they need to re-think their focus, or at the very least, give a co-focus.

It's like stepping back in time. The tours are informative and the guides knowledgable. Will definately return!

I'm sure that Booker would get a <G> with this photo. I'm also sure the farm animals all loving this also. Booker T.'s place is a great place to take the children and learn about a famous American. Close to Smith Mountain Lake.

Good film and little museum, beautiful nature walk, well described buildings. Definitely worth a visit.