Tag: history

Visiting Valley Forge National Historical Park-Pennsylvania

I breathe in the scent of the freshly printed page. Ink, just off of the copier, used to have a smell. Our teacher’s footsteps tap on the cheap linoleum, as she walks up and down the aisles of desks. Eagar hands grab for the coveted blank permission slips. Our class is taking a field-trip, to…
Visiting Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site-Hawaii

The story unfolds before us, as we watch the movie at Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site. A High Priest declares he received a prophecy. Kamehameha I will become King of The Island of Hawaii (aka The Big Island). All Kamehameha has to do is build a temple to the god of war, and offer a…
Seminole Rest National Historic Site-Florida

National Park designations can be confusing. There are 16 different designations and as we learn upon arriving at Seminole Rest, there are sites within sites. As we acquire our Canaveral National Seashore, Eldora, stamp, the Park Ranger asks if we stamped our book at Seminole Rest. Though I thoroughly researched the seashore, this additional park…
Caddie Woodlawn Historical Park-Wisconsin

I have been a fan of books, for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I especially cherished stories about spirited, independent girls, who strove to be themselves. These stories shaped me and allowed me to develop a kinship with the characters. One of the characters I loved, was Caddie Woodlawn. I could…
Lafayette-History and Cultural Tour

Lafayette, Louisiana, is steeped in history. Growing up and continuing to live in the North East, Tri-State area, I am immersed in the United States’ past. Narratives of the Revolutionary War and the start of the United States, percolate in my brain. This foundation now gives me a thirst, to learn about history beyond my…
Vermilionville-Lafayette

Our tour of Vermilionville, in Lafayette, Louisiana, ends with a cat. A snoozy, friendly cat, who elicitsdelighted photo snaps. But this is the ending, First, the beginning.Upon arrival to Vermilionville, our group is introduced to tour guide, Kevin.Kevin leads us through Vermilionville, a living history village museum. The purpose is to preserveLouisiana history and the…
Jamestown Glasshouse-Virginia

Located near the Historic Jamestowne site, Jamestown Glasshouse, is worth a stop. The experience starts with an atmospheric walk from the parking lot, through the woods, to the workshop. If like us, you have a National Park Passport book, the glasshouse, has its own passport cancellation stamp. Were it not for my clumsiness, glassblowing, would…
Jamestown Settlement-Williamsburg Trip

Like Colonial Williamsburg, as a history nerd kid, I’m surprised this is my first visit ever, to Jamestown Settlement, in Virginia. Our day starts at opening. First stop is the recreation of a Native American village. We linger for a moment, but our goal is to get to the ships, before the crowds. It’s fun,…
Historic Jamestowne Site-Virginia

When initially planning a Williamsburg, Virginia trip, many people aren’t aware that there are two Jamestown sites, the Historic Jamestowne Site, and the Jamestown Settlement. Often, visitors must choose between one or the other. Fortunately we visit both. The first order of business at Historic Jamestowne, is to stamp our National Park Passport book. The…