News Release

An Old Virginia Christmas at Booker T. Washington NM

Date: November 21, 2025
Contact: Abbi Smithmyer, 540-682-0173

Hardy, Va— Step back in time into an 1860s holiday as Dr. Booker T. Washington described it in “Christmas Days in Old Virginia.” The event will take place on Friday, December 5, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Booker T. Washington National Monument.

Guided tours will examine what Christmas time was like for Booker and the nine other enslaved people on the Burroughs plantation, including Washington’s own memories about his childhood holidays during the Civil War era. Children’s crafts will be available at this family friendly event.  

The afternoon portion of the event kicks off at 3 p.m. with a special archeology presentation by The Ottery Group, Inc. showcasing the discoveries of recent archeological excavations. The group will also discuss plans for the 2026 phase of excavations around the former Booker T. Washington Elementary School. The local community and those with ties to the Booker T. Washington Elementary School (1954-1966) is invited to come and share information that might help inform further research into the post-Washington era of the park.

The full day of programming will include:

11 a.m.- Guided Tour- Christmas through Booker’s Eyes

3 p.m. to 5 p.m.- Archeology program

3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.- Children’s holiday ornament craft activity

5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.- Candlelight Guided Tours- Christmas through Booker’s Eyes.
Tours will be offered every half hour beginning at 5 p.m. and going until 6:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided while supplies last.

All programs are free, open to the public, and are subject to change. For additional information, please contact Booker T. Washington National Monument at [phone].

—NPS— 
Booker T. Washington National Monument preserves the plantation where Washington was born into slavery in 1856 and lived until he and his family were emancipated at the end of the Civil War in 1865. He is known as an educator who guided the Tuskegee Institute, now Tuskegee University, as well as an orator, author, and leader in the African-American community. Learn more at www.nps.gov/bowa.

About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's more than 430 national park units and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at www.nps.gov, on Facebook www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice, X www.twitter.com/natlparkservice, and YouTube www.youtube.com/nationalparkservice.