Booker T. Washington National Monument facts for kids
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Booker T. Washington National Monument
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Bust of Booker T. Washington by James Barnhill, Booker T. Washington National Monument
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | Franklin County, Virginia, United States |
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| Nearest city | Rocky Mount, Virginia |
| Area | 198.8 acres (80.5 ha) |
| Built | 1956 |
| Visitation | 24,361 (2012) |
| Website | Booker T. Washington National Monument |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000834 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NMON | April 2, 1956 |
The Booker T. Washington National Monument is a special protected area. It is located near Hardy, Virginia, in Franklin County, Virginia. This monument protects parts of the 207-acre farm where Booker T. Washington was born. He was born into slavery on April 5, 1856.
The monument helps visitors learn about Washington's life and what he achieved. It also shows what life was like for enslaved people and farmers in the 1850s. You can see old buildings, gardens, crafts, and animals there.
The site became a National Monument on April 2, 1956. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966.
A Special Coin for the Monument
To help buy the land for the monument, the U.S. government created a special coin. It was called the Booker T. Washington Memorial half dollar. This was the first time an African American person was shown on a U.S. coin.
These coins were made from 1946 to 1951. They were produced at three different mints. Many were sold, mostly to people who collect coins. Even with the coins, more money was needed. So, the state of Virginia helped buy the land.
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