George Washington Birthplace National Monument

11/06/2026

Across the National Park System, memorials, monuments and historic landscapes preserve the stories of those who served and sacrificed. From the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and World War II Memorial to the Korean War Veterans Memorial, Pearl Harbor National Memorial and the newly dedicated Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial, these places invite us to reflect on the people behind the history.

Beyond the memorials, historic battlefields, military forts and other sites across the country help tell the stories of generations who served. On Veterans Day, take time to visit a place of remembrance, discover a story you didn't know, and honor those who served.

Explore places that commemorate America's military history: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/veterans-day.htm

Image: Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial Raptors in Flight. NPS/Brodsky

11/06/2026

11/05/2026

The histories, cultures, and living traditions of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islander communities are an important part of the stories told across our national parks.

Throughout the year, and during November’s Native American Heritage Month, explore the stories, places, and cultural heritage preserved and shared in national parks and communities across the country: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/native-american-heritage-month.htm

NPS Photo

11/04/2026

It’s leaf-peeping season. The trees have made an effort, so the least we can do is go outside and stare at them.

Leaf peeping is the ancient human tradition of traveling long distances to look at leaves, take photographs, and stand in the middle of roads while saying, “Oh, wow, look at that one.”

Nobody knows exactly when this became a major event, but the trees seem okay with the arrangement. So get out there and see what all the rustle is about.

NPS photos

11/04/2026

As Veterans Day approaches, take a moment to honor those who have served our country. One way to celebrate their service is by helping them discover the places and stories that make our nation's public lands special.

U.S. military veterans and Gold Star Families are eligible for a free America the Beautiful Military Lifetime Pass, providing free access to federal recreation lands where entrance or standard amenity fees are charged.

From the quiet beauty of a mountain trail to the stories preserved at historic sites, our public lands offer opportunities to explore, reflect, learn, and connect with the places that help tell America's story.

Learn how to get your pass and start planning your next adventure: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/veterans-and-gold-star-families-free-access.htm

Image: Korean War Veterans Memorial at National Mall & Memorial Parks /NPS

11/02/2026

Hello darkness, my old friend. Now you start at 5:00 pm.

With daylight saving time behind us, the sun is clocking out a littler earlier. Just as before, if you’re heading to a national park, make sure and check park hours, trail conditions, weather forecasts, and sunset times.

Fun fact: admiring fall foliage is much more enjoyable when you’re not trying to navigate a trail in the dark while wondering which tree looks familiar.

NPS photo

11/02/2026

11/02/2026

🦋 Imagine flying thousands of miles to make it home for a family reunion. Monarch butterflies do it every year.

Every fall, two journeys come together. As millions of monarch butterflies travel south on one of nature's greatest migrations, families gather to honor loved ones during Day of the Dead or Día de los Mu***os.

For many communities, the arrival of the monarchs is more than a sign of the changing season. These butterflies are seen as messengers, symbolizing the return of loved ones in spirit and serving as a beautiful reminder of the enduring connections between generations.

Traveling thousands of miles across North America, they depend on healthy habitats, including in parks, to rest, feed, and continue their journey.

What animal makes you feel connected to your family or community?

Several parks across the country host cultural Day of the Dead programming, including San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, among others.

NPS Photo taken at Amistad National Recreation Area

11/02/2026

Día de los Mu***os, or Day of the Dead, is a centuries-old tradition that honors the lives of loved ones who have passed. Its roots stretch back to Indigenous cultures of Mesoamerica, where ancestors were remembered through ritual, art, and celebration. When the Spanish arrived in what is now Texas, these native customs merged with Catholic traditions like All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day; creating the vibrant holiday we know today.

At San Antonio Missions, you can see this cultural fusion come to life. From colorful altars adorned with marigolds and candles to music, food, and stories, the park reflects how Spanish and Indigenous traditions shaped communities along the San Antonio River.

Come explore mission descendant ofrendas/ Day of the Dead altars while they are still inside the Mission San Jose granary for a few more days!

NPS Photo/ Andrew Shirey

10/31/2026

This is Halloween, this is Halloween
Pumpkins* scream in the dead of night!

Happy Halloween!

*No pumpkins have been observed screaming in national parks. You may be hearing a coyote, bobcat, fox, owl, or that marmot looking for Alan…or was it Steve?

Image: Boo! Carved jack-o’-lantern with ranger hat at Hartwell Tavern at Minute Man National Historical Park

10/30/2026

To close out archeology month we are highlighting this quintessential 1970s archeology photo.

As with last week's post, this image is also from Southside's work in the park, specifically in our Colonial Revival Garden. Seen in this image are, from left to right (clockwise) Andy Edwards (white shirt), Charlie Hodges (blue shirt), unknown (yellow shirt), unknown (no shirt/tan shorts), unknown (purple bandana), Lawrence Latane (no shirt/jeans).

If any of our followers know who these mystery archeologists are please let us know!

Credit: NPS Photo

10/23/2026

Today we are spotlighting Charles Thomas "Charley" Hodges, an archeologist for Southside Historical Sites, Inc, in the 1970s and known throughout the Chesapeake as a stellar archeologist. Charley was admired for the high quality of his field work, both excavation-wise, but also drawings, site plans, and detailed notes.

While working for Southside, Charley assisted with the exploration of five specific areas in the park. These excavations produced thousands of precontact and historic artifacts and identified a number of landscape and building features.

Charley later held positions with the Flowerdew Hundred Foundation, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, the Virginia Commonwealth University Archaeological Research Center, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, the James River Institute for Archaeology, and the William & Mary Center for Archaeological Research.

10/23/2026

Tomorrow, October 24th, is our Taken to the Grave evening program. Join us as we dive into the history of the Washington family by candlelight.

The hour long program begins promptly at 6:30pm. To participate, visitors should arrive no later than 6:15 p.m. in the Washington Family Burial Ground parking lot at George Washington Birthplace NM. Parking will begin at 5:45 pm. Staff will be on hand to assist with parking.

Credit: NPS Photo

10/18/2026

Next Saturday, attend our Taken to the Grave special program and experience the park after dark with glowing lanterns to illuminate the final resting place of the Washingtons. As night settles on the landscape, we will shine light on mysteries that the Washington family have… Taken to the Grave.

This program is fun for all ages and lasts approximately one hour. To participate, visitors should arrive no later than 6:15 p.m. in the Washington Family Burial Ground parking lot in George Washington Birthplace NM. Parking will begin at 5:45 pm. Staff will be on hand to assist with parking.

10/16/2026

As part of our Archeology month celebrations, we are going to showcase several archeologists that were instrumental to early archeological efforts and who worked tirelessly to help uncover the Washington family story here in the park.

Our first archeologist is Oscar Fitzallen Northington Jr. With a Ph.D. in history and economics from the University of Virginia, he got his start in the National Park Service in 1933. In 1934, he served as a seasonal ranger at George Washington Birthplace before joining the Civilian Conservation Corps as an assistant historian at a camp in Fredericksburg, VA. During his time there he assisted with several excavations, including excavations here in the park.

In 1936, Northington, as a historian, was paired with Stuart Barnett, a NPS architect, to excavate the foundations known as Building X, the foundation that we now know includes the birth home. This was the first time the foundation was formally excavated.

After his time excavating Building X, Northington became superintendent of Petersburg Battlefield from 1938 through 1946. He then returned to Fredericksburg NMP as superintendent from 1946 through 1966 when he retired from government service after 33 years. This photo is of Northington, on the left in uniform, at the dedication of the Chancellorsville Visitor Center in 1963.



Credit:NPS Photo

10/15/2026

Join us for International Archeology Day this Saturday, October 17th from 10:00am to 4:00pm to explore the archeology of George Washington Birthplace!

Throughout the day, park rangers will offer a variety of family-friendly activities that introduce visitors to the scientific methods archeologists use to understand how people lived in the past through the objects they left behind. Learn how archeologists excavate a site and document artifacts! Explore how different artifacts can be identified by using our senses!

The event is rain or shine, and we hope to see you there!


Credit: NPS Photo

10/09/2026

For the next two Saturdays in October, park staff invite you to explore the archeology of George Washington’s birthplace during Archeology Days in the Park.

On October 10th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., visitors can watch as artifacts and museum objects within the park's collections are scanned to create 3D models. Guests will also have the opportunity to interact hands-on with the virtual models and ask questions.

On October 17th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., park rangers will offer a variety of family-friendly activities that introduce visitors to the scientific methods archeologists use to understand how people lived in the past through the objects they left behind.

Month

09/30/2026

To kick off Archeology Month celebrations here in the park, we are excited to reveal this stunning model of George Washington's birth home created by Willie Graham, Trey Tyler, and Mark R. Wegner and funded by a grant from Eastern National.

This historically accurate rendering shows the interior of birth home as it could have looked during George's time at Popes Creek. What is truly amazing about this rendering is that the team was able to use actual objects from our archeological collections recovered from the Washington home as well as museum pieces purchased by the Wakefield National Memorial Association in the 1930s.

Stay tuned for an upcoming podcast episode exploring this exciting project where we talk with the project team as well as Dr. Brad Hatch to discuss his landscape analysis, supported by a grant from Eastern National.

Credit: NPS Graphic (Graham, Tyler, and Wegner)

09/25/2026

Due to predicted rain, cloud cover, and coastal flooding, the Star-Spangled Banner Night Sky program for tomorrow, September 26th has been cancelled.

The interpretive section of the program has been rescheduled for Sunday, September 27th at 2:00pm. The night sky observation will not be rescheduled due to predicted cloud cover on Sunday.

Photo: NPS Graphic

09/25/2026

Join us this Saturday, September 26th for our special evening program, “The Star-Spangled Night Sky,” to celebrate our Nation's 250th birthday and explore how the stars have shaped our American story, from the symbolism of stars on the U.S. flag to America’s journey into space. Park rangers will help participants observe the full moon, spot Saturn and identify constellations.

The programs begins at 8:00pm next to the Visitor Center, with the entrance gate to the Visitor Center parking lot opening at 7:30. Note only the Visitor Center restrooms and the observation field will be open during the program, the rest of the park will be closed.