A Historic First
Yes, the George Washington Carver National Monument in Diamond, Missouri was established in 1943, just months after Carver's death. It was the first national monument dedicated to an African American and the first to honor someone other than a president.
The monument preserves the farm where Carver was born into slavery and spent his early childhood, marking the beginning of his remarkable journey.
Visit Information
- Location: 5646 Carver Road, Diamond, Missouri 64840
- Size: 240 acres
- Established: July 14, 1943
- Managed by: National Park Service
- Features: Museum, nature trails, 1881 Moses Carver house, Carver family cemetery
What You'll See
The monument includes several significant sites:
- Visitor Center and Museum: Features exhibits about Carver's life, including original artifacts
- Carver Trail: A 3/4-mile nature path through woods and prairies similar to those young Carver explored
- 1881 Moses Carver House: The home of Carver's former owners who raised him
- Carver Family Cemetery: Where Moses and Susan Carver are buried
- Boy Carver Statue: A bronze sculpture of young George
- Williams Pond: Where Carver spent time as a child studying plants
The Campaign for the Monument
The effort to create the monument began in 1943, led by a group of Carver admirers from Missouri. They successfully lobbied Congress to authorize the monument, which President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into law on July 14, 1943 - just six months after Carver's death.
The monument opened to visitors in 1953 after the National Park Service completed development of the site.
Other Carver Memorials
Beyond the national monument, Carver is remembered in many other places:
- George Washington Carver Museum at Tuskegee University
- Statues at the U.S. Capitol, Iowa State University, and other locations
- George Washington Carver Bridge in Missouri
- Schools and parks across America named in his honor