The Peanut Man

George Washington Carver National Monument (May 26, 2017) – by Chewie.

Entrance Sign

I had my first taste of peanuts when Jim would bring home a pocket full when he and Mom went out to Logan’s for supper. When I heard we were going to the place where there was a guy who had the nickname “The Peanut Man,” well, my mouth was watering.

George Washington Carver’s Birthplace

You see, where we are right now is only a few short miles from the birthplace of George Washington Carver. He was born in a small one-room building in 1864. Yes, he was born a slave. Not only that, but in 1865 he, his brother, and his mother were captured and taken away from their home. Their owner searched for them and was able to find George and his brother, but they never found his mother, so, George was raised by the Carvers. I know what that’s like; I’ve been raising Jim for years.

Main Building

There was a very nice trail around the property. It started at the main building, went to the place where George was born, through the woods, by the stream, to the Carver house, by the family Cemetery, and back to the main building – a mile of sniffs and watering opportunities, I was in heaven.

Rubber Pathway: I think it was made from recycled tires, it may have been peanuts

It was a beautiful day, but I was really interested in learning about this George guy. As a young boy, he was extremely interested in plants. As he grew, he really wanted to learn more about plants, but there was no school near the farm where he could. He walked to southern Missouri, then later to Kansas, and then later traveled to Iowa. He learned so much and was such a good teacher that he was hired by Booker T. Washington to head the Agricultural Department of the Tuskegee University in Alabama.

Me and Mom at a statue of a young George

He taught people to turn peanuts into rubber and sweet potatoes into rope and shoe polish. These were only a few inventions and instructions George provided. He was an amazing man. In 1943, the year of his death, the George Washington Carver National Monument was created (the first to honor an African American).

Bronze Bust of George

I enjoyed my walk around the Carver farm at this National Monument. I’m hoping Jim will take me back for another walk. If you are ever around Diamond, Missouri go check it out.