Ranger Blanchard will be dressed in historic reproduction mourning clothing and will include a power point program of vintage photographs showing mourning dress. Actual 1860's historic garments will also be on display. Ranger Blanchard will discuss the elaborate customs and rituals in place at the time and how the war affected them.

Come to this program on mourning dress and customs in honor of Women's History Month, and then plan to come for our second Civil War program on Sunday, March 24 at 2:00 p.m. "Death Comes Home" is about the bringing of the body of Billy Burroughs home, his funeral and burial in the family plot. In a dramatic presentation, Living History Guild volunteers will portray actual people living here on the plantation and the Hales Ford community. Learn about Billy's relationship to the enslaved people here, the work they would have done for the funeral, their perspective of the war and Billy's death, Hear what Booker T. Washington said about Billy in his book, Up From Slavery.

For information about either program, please contact the park at (540) 721-2094.

Booker T. Washington National Monument is one of 398 units of the National Park Service, the agency entrusted with the care of our nation's natural and cultural treasures. The park is located 16 miles northeast of Rocky Mount, VA via VA 122; 25 miles southeast of Roanoke, VA via U.S. 220 and VA 122; and 45 miles southwest of Lynchburg, VA via U.S. 460 and VA 122. The park is open seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission, parking, and all programs are free. Visit us on the web at: www.nps.gov/bowa and find us on facebook at: www.facebook.com/btwnm.

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