Booker T. Washington National Monument

May 182014

12130 Booker T. Washington Highway, Hardy, VA 24101

The Booker T. Washington National Monument in southwest Virginia is part of the National Park System, so admission is free. The park features a reconstructed cabin like the one where Washington lived with his family on the small farm where he was born.

The park is still a small farm with chickens, horses, cows, sheep and other animals. There are also walking trails you can explore.

Throughout your visit, you’ll learn about Washington’s amazing life and how he overcame many hardships to become a national leader in civil rights and education.

Booker T. Washington National Monument

https://www.nps.gov/bowa/index.htm

12130 Booker T. Washington National Highway

Hardy, VA 24101

540-721-2094

We have two posts about this location: Part One & Part Two

Booker T. Washington doll purchased in the gift shop. The tag has lots of information about Booker T. Washington’s life

Nerd Trips ABCs

Admission fee: It’s a national park, it’s free.

Bathrooms: Decent, not dazzling

Concessions/food: None. There was a picnic area.

Cars/getting there: You have to drive to get there, plenty of parking. Check the website for directions. There is no public transportation.

Coffee cups (aka souvenirs): There is a decent gift shop. Along with postcards, I picked up a Booker T. Washington doll (On this same trip, picked up Woodrow Wilson and Thomas Jefferson dolls).

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Ashlawn-Highland

April 212014

2050 James Monroe Parkway, Charlottesville, VA 22902

Just down the road from Jefferson’s Monticello, Ashlawn-Highland is the home of our fifth president James Monroe. You take a house tour and explore the grounds. There is also an amazing tree known as the Monroe Oak.

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University of Virginia Rotunda

March 182014

1826 University Avenue, Charlottesville, VA 22904

Thomas Jefferson founded the University of Virginia and claimed it as one of his proudest achievements. Jefferson designed the UVA Rotunda to be the heart of the “academic village.” The building was based on the Pantheon in Rome and reflects Jefferson’s classic style.

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Jefferson’s Poplar Forest

March 172014

1542 Bateman Bridge Road, Forest, VA 24551-0419

There’s lots to see at Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, located in Southwestern Virginia. www.poplarforest.org

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Monticello

March 172014

931 Thomas Jefferson Parkway Charlottesville, VA 22902

Monticello, the home designed and built by Thomas Jefferson, is one the most recognized homes in the United States and it is a very popular tourist destination. There were big lines when we visited in April 2009. Along with magnificent house, there are also some great gardens to see.

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James Madison’s Montpelier

March 172014

13384 Laundry Road Montpelier Station, VA 22957

Montpelier is the home of our fourth President James Madison. On the tour, you’ll stand in the library where the “Father of the Constitution” drafted that very document. The house itself has some interesting history

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