• The Kitchen Cabin, Smokehouse and Tobacco Barn in the Distance

    Booker T Washington

    National Monument Virginia

From Slave Cabin to the Hall of Fame

On April 5, 1856, Booker T. Washington was born a slave on the 207-arce 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.

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Features

  • Students Learning in the Kitchen Cabin

    Monumental Education

    Attention kids of all ages and Teachers! Come and learn all about Booker T. Washington with a school tour!

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  • Sketch of the Slave Cabin

    Putting a Face on Slavery

    In 1861, Booker T. Washington was one of the 4,000,000 enslaved people in the 'Land of the Free.' Come learn about Washington's nine-year experience.

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  • Collage of Trading Cards

    Trading Cards for Kids

    Discover more than 500 stories about America’s journey from the Civil War to Civil Rights. View online or visit this park to collect your own copies.

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  • Social Media

    Social Media

    Booker T. Washington National Monument is on Facebook. Follow us online!

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  • Sheep Grazing with Young Lambs

    Farm Animals

    Come and see the recreated 1850's tobacco farm and learn about the historic breeds of animals that would have been here during Washington's time.

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  • Summer in the Garden Patch

    Heirloom Garden

    The garden is an example of a typical subsistence garden of piedmont Virginia of the 1850s. Come and learn about the gardening techniques used then.

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Did You Know?

Photo of James and Elizabeth Burroughs

Booker T. Washington was born a slave on the farm of James and Elizabeth Burroughs on April 5, 1856.