Things To Do

Visitors enjoying an interactive exhibit in the Carver Discovery area.  

NPS

Things To Do!

There are many things to do and see at George Washington Carver National Monument:

• Watch the park film, Struggle and Triumph: The Legacy of George Washington Carver (28 minutes)
• Tour three floors of museum exhibits on the life and legacy of George Washington Carver
• Kids can explore interactive exhibits in the Discovery Area
• Participate in Junior Ranger programs
• Hike the one-mile Carver walking trail
• Guided tours of the Carver trail take place daily at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
• Explore the park store
• Annual Special Events
• Check the web calendar for upcoming programs

If you are planning a trip to Missouri, visit the official Missouri Tourism website for additional things to do around the state.

 

Past Carver Day special guest speaker, Marilyn Nelson.

NPS

2021 Schedule of Park Special Events

Park Prescription (Rx) Day – April 17 (10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.)

Give yourself the gift of better health with a visit to the park. Park Rx Day is founded on the idea that parks can be gateways to good health-providing fun, accessible places to get some physical activity and to relax and enjoy time with family and friends. Activities to get you moving outside will be offered.

Art in the Park – April 24 (10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.)

Celebrating George Washington Carver’s love for art, this event features local artists at work across park grounds. Visitors may participate in hands-on demonstrations and instructional workshops with pastels, natural dyes, pencil, and more. Kids can earn a special “Art in the Park” Junior Ranger badge.

National Trails Day - June 5 (8:00 a.m. - noon)

Adventures are meant to be shared. National Trails Day is a great opportunity to meet new people in your area and share a fun experience on a local trail. Join a Ranger for a guided walk around the park's boundary.

Carver Day Celebration – July 10 (10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.)

Celebrating the establishment of George Washington Carver National Monument, this event features programs interpreting the life of George Washington Carver. Guest speakers, musical groups, a Junior Ranger station, and exhibitors are also included. Join us for a special day celebrating 78 years of George Washington Carver National Monument!

Storytelling Day – August 21 (10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.)

This event celebrates the founding of the National Park Service and focuses on stories about U.S. culture and history. Discover these stories in all their diversity! Our history is part of who we were, who we are, and who we will be.

Prairie Day – September 11 (10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.)

Celebrating life on the Missouri prairie during the late 1800s when George Washington Carver was a child, this event included basket weaving, candle-making, Dutch-oven cooking, spinning, weaving, storytelling, musical groups, quilting, a Junior Ranger station, and more.

National Public Lands Day – September 25 (10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.)

This is a nationwide, volunteer-led workday to improve public lands. Contact the park for more details.

Hispanic Heritage Day – October 9 (10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.)

National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates and recognizes the contributions that Hispanic Americans have made to American society. Come learn more about this culture through song, dance, foods, and interpretation.

Holiday Open House – December 11 (1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.)

The park staff and volunteers invite the public to a holiday celebration with seasonal music, craft, and refreshments.

All events are free of charge!