The Booker T. Washington Monument and the park are located in Franklin County, VA, 16 miles northeast of Rocky Mount, VA, and almost to Smith Mountain Lake, Va. It was begun in honor of Booker T. Washington, who was born a slave on the 207-acre farm of James Burroughs on April 5th, 1856. After the Civil War, Washington founded the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School and did many other wonderful things in the name of freedom.
Today the park offers historical and educational activities on a host of excellent topics. There is something at this park for everyone who loves to learn. (See August schedule below.) Ranger-guided tours are offered daily at the park from 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
August 2 – 10:00 a.m.
To Be a Naturalist Junior Ranger Program (Ages 6-12)
Hike the Jack-O-Lantern Branch Trail and study plants and animals like a naturalist. Participate in a stream activity to learn about the importance of clean water.
August 6 & 9 – 11:00 a.m.
Strange Fruit
Discover how Booker T. Washington reacted to the lynchings in the 1890s as the leader of the African-American people. This presentation is part of the Legacy Series, an adult education discussion group. NOTE: Some images & descriptions are graphic.
August 23 – 11:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.
Living History Programs
Attend an interpretive tour and experience interactive living history demonstrations from the mid-1800s.
“Harvest Time” Festival
Saturday, September 13, 2008, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Living History Farm demonstrations, interpretive tours, children’s games, and more will highlight the lifestyles of those who lived and worked on small Virginia tobacco plantations in the mid-19th century.
12130 Booker T. Washington Highway, Hardy – All activities are Free – 540-721-2094 – www.nps.gov/bowa
Comments 3
Booker T. Washington deserves the monument and the park.
Poison Sumac is by far the most difficult of the “poison” plants to spot, and there are a number of plants that look very much like it. Poison Ivy and Oak are easy to spot and to avoid. You also have to watch the mistakes of others. I got some bad dermatitis on my arm after touching a ski lift bar in the summer (there was nothing else that I touched). So it’s easily spread, also by pets, especially cats, which like to rub up against plants and, well, anything else that’s standing still. It’s a wicked group of plants. I use my plant killer spray to kill the Poison Ivy and every other plant in the vicinity. I don’t want any of it to come back, so I wipe out an entire area; and after it dies, you also have to be careful about removing it. The dead vines can also menace people, though it usually requires some direct handling. Great website!
Author
Some good reminders John. I don’t think I have ever gotten into poison sumac, or else I did not react to it. It sounds as if I don’t ever want to either. Thanks for the information and positive feedback!