Battle Positions are Taken as Military Through the Ages at Jamestown Settlement Begins in Williamsburg, VA
Thousands of people travel from all over the United States each year to view the Military Through the Ages event in Williamsburg, VA. This event takes place on March 20th and March 21st and shows the various stages of military evolution starting at the Middle Ages and working toward modern times.
The event takes place at the Jamestown Settlement where living history is a daily experience for everyone who visits. There will be military vehicles, uniforms, and weaponry at the event to add to the reality of the experience. The military strategies and organizations of the world will be represented at Military Through the Ages.
Jamestown Settlement isn’t the only popular historical hotspot in Williamsburg. Colonial Williamsburg is another popular historical site that offers an 18th Century experience complete with costumed residents and historical architecture. Another popular site is the Yorktown Victory Center, which is located in Yorktown, VA, where you can learn about the events in Yorktown that led to the United States independence from the British.
Explore Civil War History in Savannah on Veterans Day
With its location in the heart of the South, Savannah and the surrounding area are home to many Civil War sites. Also, Georgia was one of the 13 original colonies and was part of the Continental Congress before the Revolutionary War. Many sites in Savannah honor those who gave their lives in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, and a historic sightseeing tour is an excellent way to see all of the history that Savannah has to offer.
For an overall view of the vast history of Savannah, the Historic Overview Tour is an excellent choice that provides visitors the opportunity to see the most important historical sites in Savannah. This tour is fully narrated by a knowledgeable guide and features stops at River Street, the City Market, and the Historic District. The tour takes place on an open-air trolley, and the tour lasts just 1.5 hours. Sites in the historic district include the Juliette Gordon Low birthplace, Maritime Museum, and River Street, which is a historic landmark in itself.
Homemade Thunder Civil War Walking Tour
For a unique and interactive experience exploring Civil War history, the Homemade Thunder Civil War Walking Tour offers a complete view of Savannah’s role in the Civil War. The walking tour is led by a knowledgeable guide. During the tour, visitors will see numerous historical sites in Savannah, including Gen. A.P Lawton’s House, the homes of Gen. Moxley Sorrel and Gen. Hugh Mercer, and Sherman’s Savannah headquarters after his march through Georgia. Additional sites on the tour include the Confederate Monument and Savannah Theatre. The tour covers about a mile of Savannah and lasts approximately 90 minutes.
Additional sites to see during your time in Savannah during Veterans Day are the centuries-old cemeteries in the city. The Bonaventure Cemetery was featured in the novel “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.” This cemetery is the resting place of many Civil War soldiers, and it is rumored to be haunted. This cemetery was built on an old plantation. The other legendary cemetery in Savannah is the Colonial Park Cemetery, which was built in the 1700s. This cemetery contains over 600 graves, and some of the most famous residents in Savannah’s history are buried here, including Button Gwinett, who was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
Visit Historic Plantations in Williamsburg
In addition to the popular historical attractions like Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown Settlement in Williamsburg, there are also a number of other historical sites that make the perfect addition to any trip to Williamsburg. Due to its position in the South, the Williamsburg area contains a number of historic plantations that date back as far as the 1600s.
The James River Plantation group contains five plantation estates: Sherwood Forest, Westover, Shirley, Evelynton, and Berkeley. All of the plantations are located on Route 5 in historic Charles City County. Each plantation is in the National Register of Historic Places. The earliest plantation is Shirley, which was established in 1613 as Virginia’s first plantation. Shirley has seen eleven generations of the same family living and working the plantation, and the family still owns and operates the plantation today.
Berkeley plantation was built in 1726, but the land was in use long before that. In 1619, it was the spot of the first Thanksgiving dinner. Berkeley was also home to Benjamin Harrison, one of the original signers of the constitution, and later was the residence of President William Henry Harrison, the 9th U.S. President. The house is preserved in 18th century style and features 18th century furniture and decorations. Guided tours are available.
Westover and Evelynton were once one plantation, until William Byrd, the owner, created Evelynton for his daughter, Evelyn, after which it become its own plantation. Westover was built around 1730 by William Byrd II, who was the founder of Richmond. Westover is a classic Southern plantation, complete with ancient trees and landscaping. The house is not open for touring, but the grounds are. The original buildings of Evelynton were destroyed in a Civil War battle, and the current house was built in 1937. Evelynton is still an operating farm and is not available for touring.
Sherwood Forest was built in 1720 and was the home to the U.S. 10th President, John Tyler, after he bought it and the surrounding land in 1842. The house still retains many of the Tyler’s possessions on display. Sherwood Forest is still owned by the Tyler family, and descendents reside in the house today. Grounds and house tours are available for a fee.
These plantations have seen a number of historic events, ranging from Revolutionary War meetings to Civil War battles, making visiting these plantations a one-of-kind-experience.
Add Historical Sites to Your Next Branson Visit
With the number of exciting year-round events and attractions in Branson, MO, a look at some of the city’s historical sites can provide a nice, easygoing complement to your next Ozarks visit. Branson features a wide range of museums near the heart of the city to help supply a healthy dose of historical education on your trip.
Titanic – The Legend Continues
Featuring over 400 artifacts and historic memorabilia, Titanic – The Legend Continues is among Branson’s most fascinating points of interest. Don’t miss your chance to experience a look into the intricate details of the ill-fated ship. Upon entry, you will receive a ticket with the name of a real-life passenger on it; as you wander through the museum, you will discover the fate of that one passenger on this disastrous night. The hundreds of artifacts, the Grand Staircase, and an actual iceberg that you can touch combine to paint an accurate picture of the tragedy and help place you back to this fateful night in April of 1912.
The Veterans Memorial Museum is dedicated to memorializing the lives of Amerrican soldiers during the 20th century. Among the notable displays within the museum are no fewer than 2,000 artifacts, including one particularly stunning bronze sculpture depicting 50 life-sized soldiers. The sculpture is the largest of its kind in the world. The names of diferent soldiers who have given their lives line the walls. The museum’s purpose is twofold: as an educational experience and as a way to pay tribute to fallen heroes.
On a bit of a lighter note, the Harold Bell Wright Museum presents the life and times of this 20th century author through an assortment of his personal collections and artifacts. The museum displays original manuscripts of his work, which include such books as the Branson-based “The Shepard of the Hills” and the ever-popular “The Winning of Barbara Worth.” Also of interest in the museum is a personal letter from Ronald Reagan expressing his admiration of Wright’s career. Wright’s gun collection and a variety of original paintings are among the other notable displays at the museum.
Nashville, Tennessee’s Family-Friendly Historical Attractions
Instead of staying at home this summer, expand your mind by taking in Nashville, Tennessee’s historical attractions. With an assortment of guided tours through some of Nashville’s major historical sites, you can make this a summer to remember with fun, family-friendly, and educational experiences.
Start your vacation in Nashville with the Belle Meade Plantation Tour. This unique tour allows you, through the aid of a knowledgeable tour guide dressed to match the 19th Century theme, to visit the antebellum mansion. Other notable stops on your trip will inclue a Durham Station log cabiin from the 1790s, a carriage house and stables from the 1890s, and several additional historical outbuildings. Complete with demonstrations, exhibits, and displays of rare antiques, you won’t regret visiting this one-of-a-kind site.
Country music fans relate the Ryman Auditorium as the home of Nashville’s biggest attraction, the Grand Ole Opry. However, music fans and history buffs in general will find plenty to enjoy with the Ryman Auditorium Self-Guided Tour. In addition to seeing the legendary halls and stage the auditorium presents, you will also take in a short film about the history of Ryman Auditorium tracing back to its more humble beginnings. Various exhibits featuring some of the sites most notable items, such as articles of clothing from some of the Opry’s performers. You can find additional enjoyment with the Backstage Guided Tour of the Ryman Auditorium, which takes you through some of the dressing rooms and other backstage areas.
Part museum and part home, the Hermitage Mansion Guided Tour takes you through the estate of President Andrew Jackson in Nashville. You will take a tour through the mansion itself, in addition to several outbuildings and his log farmhouse. And finally, you will gain better insight into the man behind the politcal mask by viewing the garden he and his wife kept as well as the stables he kept for his horses.
Don’t waste away your summer. Start planning now and feed your brain with the terrific historical tours that Nashville has to offer!
Expand Your Mind in Washington, D.C.
Don’t miss the perfect opportunity this summer to expand your mind in historic Washington D.C.! With the overwhelming number of popular, informative attractions in the downtown area, there is sure to be something for everyone. Take a visual plunge into the deepest dimensions of the ocean, explore the realms of unknown outer space, learn the history of law enforcement – the possibilities are endless in our nation’s capital!
Johnson IMAX at the Museum of Natural History
Whether you want to explore the world of underwater life or the wildlife of Africa, the two feature films at the IMAX will provide a spectacular visual adventure sure to leave you breathless. The first feature film, Into the Deep, lets you take a three-dimensional dive into the ocean to explore a world unknown by most. The second feature film, Wald Safari: A South African Adventure, places you closer to the heart of the African wild than you could ever get otherwise. Either choice would be a great addition to your Washington, D.C. vacation.
Einstein Planetarium IMAX at the National Air & Space Museum
Sit back and watch the awesome exploration of outer space that is as informative as it is stunning. Travel through the Milky Way and beyond the far reaches of our Solar System with the feature film Infinity Express that will leave you wanting more. And if you ever catch yourself gazing with wonder at the stars, you won’t want to miss Open Your Eyes to the Skies for a closer look at major stars and constellations.
National Museum of Crime and Punishment
Treat yourself to a display of the history of crime, from its beginnings to the present. Major features of the museum include walking through an actual police station and discovering recent advances in forensic technology. The museum also allows for more involved activities: a simulated high speed chase, an actual shooting range, seeing a lie detector test, and much more. On your next visit to Washington D.C., be sure to make a stop at this museum.
Relive the Past With a Historical Vacation to Colonial Williamsburg
The Williamsburg, Virginia area has long been recognized as one of the most historically significant regions of the country. From the first English settlement in the colonies at Jamestown, to the Yorktown battle site, and the Colonial town of Williamsburg, the area offers a great vacation destination for those who would like to learn about America’s past during their travels.
One way to explore the past is by immersing yourself in a recreated 18th Century village. Colonial Williamsburg allows you to travel back in time where you can view residents passing by in colonial attire, and the city is restored so much that you may feel you have literally traveled through a time machine back to the 1700s.
See the first English settlement in the colonies at Jamestown, where English settlers came during 1607. You will see board replicas of the three ships that made the voyage from England and costumed performers will recreate everyday life in the 1600s to make historic Jamestown come to life. A combination of films and living history performances will help you learn about the area’s past.
Yorktown Victory Center – Yorktown, VA
Yorktown, where colonial forces fought the British army, will come alive with galleries, films, and live interpretations that will entertain and enlighten visitors. Learn about the history of the Revolutionary War as it was fought in Virginia, and take time to enjoy this informative living museum.
