Hardy in Franklin County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Booker T. Washington's Birthplace
Booker T. Washington, the renowned African-American leader and educator, was born into slavery on this plantation and freed here after the Civil War ended. At this national monument, you can learn about his childhood in slavery, living here with his family and other enslaved Africans.
This plantation was owned by the James Burroughs family when Booker T. Washington lived on this property. As was typical in 19th century rural Virginia, Burroughs family members were buried in the family cemetery on their land. The enslaved people were not buried in this plot. Even in death, slavery's social hierarchy was maintained. After the Civil War, however, James H. Starkey (July, 1899—1900), infant son of African-American Nellie G. Starkey, was buried in the Burroughs Cemetery. Booker T. Washington is buried on the campus of Tuskegee University, where he carried out his life's work.
The start of the Civil War in April 1861 saw five of the Burroughs sons join up to fight for the Confederacy. James Burrough, the family patriarch, died in July shortly after they enlisted. Two of his sons, Christopher Frank and John William (Billie), died during the war.
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You can see the Burroughs' fenced-in cemetery over the ridge and to the left.
Erected by Booker T. Washington National Monument, National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Agriculture • Education • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 5, 1856.
Location. 37° 7.184′ N, 79° 43.901′ W. Marker is in Hardy, Virginia, in Franklin County. Marker can be reached from Booker T Washington Highway (Virginia Route 122) 0.2 miles east of Lost Mountain Road (Virginia Route 636), on the right when traveling east. Marker is located in front of the Visitor Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12130 Booker T Washington Hwy, Hardy VA 24101, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Booker T. Washington National Monument (a few steps from this marker); Slavery on the Plantation (within shouting distance of this marker); How Tobacco Farms Used Slavery (within shouting distance of this marker); Freed Here, At Last (within shouting distance of this marker); Booker T. Washington Birthplace (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Jack-O-Lantern Branch Trail (approx. ¼ mile away); I think that I owe a great deal of my present strength and ability to work to my love of... (approx. 0.7 miles away); Taylor’s Store (approx. 3.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hardy.
Also see . . .
1. Booker T. Washington National Monument, National Park Service. (Submitted on August 16, 2019.)
2. Dr. Booker Taliaferro Washington, Tuskegee University. (Submitted on August 16, 2019.)
3. Booker T. Washington National Monument, National Register of Historic Places (pdf file). (Submitted on August 17, 2019.)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2019. This page has been viewed 335 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 16, 2019. 4. submitted on September 26, 2020, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 5, 6, 7. submitted on August 16, 2019. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.