Making history your story
Every country has a grand home that takes you back in time. In America, it's the Biltmore House. In Ireland, it's the Muckross House. This Victorian home in southwestern Ireland usually has an amazing Christmas experience but while that may be different this year, it should still be on your must-see list when you visit the Emerald Isle, no matter the season!
Did you know that Shirley Plantation, located near Richmond, Virginia, is the oldest family-owned business in America? Read my new review to learn about its 400 year history and why it makes a great place to visit with your family today.
Planning a dream trip to Ireland in 2021? Be sure to put the Medieval town of Kilkenny on your itinerary. The Kilkenny Castle is a must-see site and its garden is a great place for kids to play. Read my new review today and start dreaming about a trip to the Emerald Isle.
The Levine Museum of the New South in Charlotte, North Carolina is a unique museum that looks at the growth of the piedmont region after the Civil War. From farming to textiles to banking, this museum highlights the explosive growth and the racial and economic challenges that have faced the Queen City in recent history. If you're planning a visit to Charlotte, put this museum on your must-see list!
After writing about the Virginia Capital Trail last week, I’ll be reviewing many of the stops along the trail in the coming months. Several battlefields and historic homes are along the route, including the home of our nation’s 10th President, John Tyler. In my quest to visit all of the Presidential and First Lady historic sites, I knew I had to see it in conjunction with the Capital Trail. His home, named Sherwood Forest, is a peaceful place for your family to take a break while on a bike trip. Read my new review today!
In Virginia, history is literally around every corner. The James River, which flows from the Chesapeake Bay to western Virginia, is the “road” along which Virginia’s history, and thereby America’s history, was founded. Beginning with Jamestown in 1607, this river and the land surrounding it has been the site of many significant historical events, including Native American villages, Colonial towns, and battles from 3 wars. A unique and socially-distanced way to view this historical area with your family is to bike or walk along the Virginia Capital Trail. It is the perfect place to have a family-friendly outing, especially during the cooler fall months. Read my new review today! Don't forget to sign up for my new newsletter - follow the "newsletter" link on my website!
The small town of Gettysburg, near Pennsylvania’s border with Maryland, seems an unlikely spot for a battle of significance. However, in the summer of 1863, Union and Confederate forces clashed here, in what is called by some historians as the turning point of the Civil War. Whether you agree with that statement or not, there is no doubt of the battle’s effect on history. Now a National Military Park, Gettysburg’s location in the rolling hills of western Pennsylvania makes it the perfect place to take a fall socially-distanced educational trip with your family.
Read my new post today about the place where George Washington spent the formative years of his youth, Ferry Farm in Fredericksburg, VA. Did he really chop down a cherry tree here? Learn more about the site and why it would make a great fall family outing!
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!
There are over 100 Civil War battlefields in Virginia, and almost 50% of the total number of battles in the entire war were fought here. One of the easiest battlefields to visit during the heat of the summer and during this time of social distancing is the Petersburg National Battlefield. Most of the battlefield can be seen during a driving tour, with stops along the way at various interest points. If you’re looking for a new place to take a drive with the kids, Petersburg National Battlefield is a great choice. Read my new review today!
