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from the authors of
• Walk into centuries-old Indian pueblos. See ancient petroglyphs and pictographs. Explore re-created historical villages representing a variety of Indian nations. • Step aboard full-scale replicas of early sailing ships. Learn from costumed interpreters what life was like for early settlers heading across the Atlantic to America. • Meet re-enactors in re-created Colonial American villages, and watch skilled artisans make important old-time goods such as candles, cloth, brooms, baskets, barrels and muskets. • Get to know the diverse cultures of America’s Native Peoples, and marvel at the impact they had on America’s development. • Explore the diverse group of religious communities that helped define America as a people and a culture. • Walk in the footsteps of soldiers who fought in the French and Indian war, the Revolutionary War or the War of 1812. • Learn about early tobacco plantations, iron furnaces, lumber mills, gunpowder manufacturers, textile mills, fur traders, the Lewis & Clark Expedition, canal boats, taverns, pharmacies, the first gold strike, the homes of our early Presidents...And that’s just a sampling! How to Begin 1. With so many choices, focusing is important. Try one of the following techniques to jump-start the planning process: - Choose a topic. Are you interested in America’s Native Peoples, European colonization, religious settlement, the fight for independence, our new nation or opening the west? - Choose a theme. Are you intrigued by the Spanish, French or English settlements? George Washington and other Founding Fathers? Military forts? Fur trading? Do you want to concentrate on National Historical Parks? - Choose a state or region. Wherever you choose to explore, you are likely to find quality historic landmarks, national and state historical parks, living history museums and other fascinating places we refer to as “museum plus” destinations. 2. Research your options. While our book showcases 300 premier destinations, only history-travel fanatics (like us) will see them all. So pick a few of the most tantalizing attractions and build your itinerary around them. Then add scenic and/or modern destinations for variety. 3. Look up the calendar of events on destination websites to identify any festivals or re-enactments you might want to attend. Ideal Times to Visit 4. Most attractions are open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Many are open longer. National parks are usually open year-round. 5. Interpretive activities typically occur in the mornings and early afternoons during summer and less frequently at other times. Weekends tend to have the most programs. So if you want the widest range of living history or are traveling with children, target summer weekends. 6. We like weekday visits, when parks and living history museums are quieter and when interpreters tend to have more time to chat individually. However, tour/school groups can be a distraction - especially in springtime. If this is a concern for you, call the site for details in advance of your visit. What to Expect and Do 7. Most historic sites offer a guided tour. Take it. If you limit yourself to what you can see on your own, you are likely to miss the best parts. 8. Ask the living history interpreters lots of questions. They generally are well trained and welcome the opportunity to share their specialized, hands-on knowledge. 9. Never fall into the trap of saying “Been there. Done that.” Change is inevitable, and the best sites typically get better and better. A second visit may be just as eye-opening as the first. 10. Some sites have food and beverage concessions, but most do not. Check in advance if this is important to you, and plan accordingly. ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS RVers - Keep in mind that even national parks may not have parking areas large enough to accommodate big rigs. Take your car or pickup to the sites. Anything longer than 25 feet (real length) is best left at camp. Families with Kids - Living history parks love children and have much to share with them. However, the experience will be even more meaningful if parents/grandparents plan ahead. Learn a bit about the place’s history beforehand and plan some questions to ask of the interpreters or your kids. Don’t just listen and observe. Participate! Homeschoolers - Many living history destinations have hands-on activities and special events for kids. Historic Fort Snelling [www.mnhs.org/places/sites/hfs] in St. Paul, Minnesota, is an excellent example. A search for “home school” and “family event” on its website will give you a list of terrific events. In addition, many living history parks cater to school classes, especially in the spring. Some allow outsiders to participate; some do not. Call ahead if this matters to you. Native Americans - We devoted an entire chapter in our book to historical destinations relevant to both pre-contact and post-contact Native Peoples. Although you probably know a lot about your own cultural heritage, you may be surprised to discover the broad diversity of early Native life that remains to be discovered and enjoyed today. African Americans - Many historical sites recognize that without African American ancestors, our country might well have failed economically - and therefore politically. They’re beginning to tell the truth, good and bad. Among the destinations we recommend to you: Middleton Place near Charleston, South Carolina; Melrose Plantation and the Cane River Creole National Historical Park near Natchitoches, Louisiana; George Washington’s Mount Vernon home and Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, both in Virginia; and the Black Heritage Trail in Boston, which includes the oldest Black church (Baptist) still standing in the United States. Hispanic Americans - If the Spanish had their way in the 1500s, America would have been theirs alone. They wanted to make Native Peoples citizens of Spain and established a long string of mission settlements from Florida to California with that idea in mind. St. Augustine, Florida, which was founded in 1565, is the oldest surviving city in America. Santa Fe, New Mexico, which dates back to 1607, became the seat of power for the entire Spanish Empire north of the Rio Grande. America has a fascinating Hispanic heritage. Religious Travelers - The third chapter of our book is almost entirely about religious settlements before the 1840s. Most of the destinations are Christian - Huguenot, Quaker, Shaker, Amish, Moravian, Catholic, Mormon, Amana and others. We also have a couple of wonderful suggestions for Jewish travelers. Whether you are a believer or not, these places are remarkable visitor attractions, with much to see, do and learn. Foreign Tourists - We know from our many travels outside the United States that historical attractions should be included in most travel itineraries. Just as we enjoyed the Zuiderzee Museum in Holland, Welsh Folk Museum in Wales and Barkerville Historic Town in Canada, so you too will gain from visiting America's historic sites and living history parks. Where should you go? At the risk of seeming too commercial, we recommend buying our book. It showcases 300 premier destinations. Hopefully several of them will fit into your travel plans. Immigrants - No matter how long you’ve lived here, you’ll benefit from visiting our nation’s historic sites and living history museums. Suzanne’s family roots (on her mother’s side) date back to 1620 America, but even she continues to gain from history travel. There’s nothing quite like seeing historical places in person, hearing about their contributions to our heritage and being able to ask lots of questions of knowledgeable interpreters. Don’t worry about what destinations are the most important. See whatever interests you, and have a good time. Even the smallest historic attraction will provide useful information about this complicated nation you now call “home.” Armchair Travelers - You’re listed last here only because we recognize that your first inclination is to stay home. Not everyone can or wants to travel. As we mentioned earlier, an 82-year-old customer admits to reading America’s Living History-The Early Years not just once but twice. With all the history content and color photographs we've included in the book, she’s having great fun with her “virtual” trips. However, if you just can’t stand book-only learning and want to see these places in person after reading our guide, that would be our greatest reward. © 2007 Suzanne and Craig Sheumaker - All rights reserved. http://www.AmericasLivingHistory.com | |||
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