Category: North Carolina

Booking It Through History: First Ladies – Sarah Polk

Learn about the most powerful woman in mid-19th century America in my Booking It Through History: First Ladies focus this month. Sarah Polk was a woman ahead of her times and a true political partner to her husband, establishing a path for modern First Ladies.

Booking It Through History: First Ladies – Dolley Madison

In this month's Booking It Through History: First Ladies post, I am detailing the life of the vivacious First Lady, Dolley Madison. Read all about her contributions to the role of First Lady that are still precedents today.

Civil War Trails

If you live in the mid-Atlantic region, you may not realize that you are probably within a few miles of a historic Civil War battleground or site. With hundreds of battles fought in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, and Tennessee, almost every county or city has a Civil War historical site. As we are all doing more staycations thanks to the travel restrictions around the COVID-19 pandemic, this might be a perfect time to check out these historical sites in your own backyard!

Andrew Johnson’s birthplace and Bennett Place (Raleigh/Durham)

155 years ago, the United States was in turmoil. President Abraham Lincoln had been assassinated, his killer, John Wilkes Booth, was on the run, and some Confederate forces had not yet surrendered. While Gen. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox effectively ended the Civil War, there were still soldiers in North Carolina and in states and territories out west that didn’t lay down their arms until weeks or even months after Appomattox. Not only was North Carolina a pivotal place in these last few weeks of the war, it also served as the birthplace of the 17th President, Andrew Johnson, who was negotiating the peace. Read my new review today about the historic sites around Raleigh/Durham where you can learn more about President Johnson and the largest surrender of soldiers during the Civil War.

North Carolina Museum of History (Raleigh)

Winter is the perfect time to visit a state’s history museum for some educational and indoor fun! Most of these museums are located in the state’s capital and are low-cost or even free. In today's review, I encourage you to visit the North Carolina Museum of History, a good addition to any trip to the state capital of Raleigh. Read my new review today!

Guilford Courthouse National Military Park (North Carolina)

Headed to North Carolina for college visits or a soccer tournament? Be sure to add in a visit to the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park in Greensboro where you can learn about one of the most important battles in the America Revolution’s Southern campaign. See my new post for details on how to make this visit family-friendly!