Friends of Washington Park

06/03/2026

📣 We're excited and thankful to partner with Buzz4good to share the remarkable story of the Caretaker's Cottage—an important African American cultural heritage site in Roanoke that helps tell our region's shared history—and to highlight our non-profit work at Friends of Washington Park!

05/30/2026

On May 29th, Cottage Project Manager Chris Sanchez of Christiansburg Institute, Inc. (CI, Inc.) met with a representative from HistoriCorps and members of Friends of Washington Park to begin the Conditions Survey report, made possible by a generous grant awarded to CI, Inc. by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

HistoriCorps is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that also provides volunteers of all skill levels with a hands-on experience while preserving historic structures on public lands across America.

We will send you updates. If you are interested in being a part of the exciting work. Please DM us or send an email: [email protected]

05/30/2026

05/29/2026

We appreciate all the local individuals and groups dedicated to history and the stories of our ancestors. Post from Big Lick Historical Archives group page.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=122208401996449174&id=61563475221577

05/29/2026

Thank you for caring about the Cottage. The Friends of Washington Park along with The City of Roanoke are in the first stages of rehabbing the Cottage and raising more funds. Your generous contribution will go directly towards the stabilization and new roofing. Volunteers in media and marketing are also welcome to reach out or to call. For more info. (540)404-1463
PayPal Donation Link:

The Caretaker's Cottage Preservation Fund has been established through the Friends of Washington Park (FOWP), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich, intersectional history of Booker T. Washington Park and the Caretakers Cottage in Roanoke, Virginia through e...

05/28/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our second fundraising meeting yesterday in support of the Caretaker’s Cottage project.

We are especially grateful to the Roanoke Friends Meeting - Quakers for generously providing their space for the gathering and supporting this important work! 🖤

05/28/2026

📣 Friends of Washington Park(FOWP) is proud to launch the Caretakers Cottage Preservation Fund to support the rehabilitation and preservation of the historic Caretakers Cottage at Booker T. Washington Park in Roanoke, VA.

⚒️ Built in 1837, this historic structure represents an important part of our community’s rich and intersectional history. Initial preservation efforts will focus on making the building weather-envelope tight, beginning with critical roof stabilization to prevent further deterioration.

💥 Your support helps preserve this historic landmark for future generations through education, storytelling, and community engagement.

📌 We will also be launching a broader capital fundraising campaign with project supporters in the coming months — so stay tuned for additional ways to get involved and support this important preservation effort.

Donate today and help protect this important piece of history:
https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/Z3FRE4939SJZJ

05/23/2026

In High Point, NC a tour of a historical marker remembering early Black founders in the "colored" section.