Tag: History

Up to the North Dakota State Capitol Observation Deck, and back down again! A view of the Capitol Grounds as well as the city of Bismarck from the 18th floor! North Dakota State Capitol Building in Bismarck, North Dakota

Historic mills, industrial ruins, repurposed apartments, nature, and art all intertwine to deliver an incredible taste of historic-meets-modern living along the Chattahoochee Riverwalk! This 15 mile long river front park winds along the scenic Columbus, Georgia waterfront. And if these walls could talk, the stories they would tell! In addition to the Chattahoochee Riverwalk, be sure to take a stroll across the 14th Street Historic Bridge into Phenix City, Alabama. Make the kids walk all the way from Georgia to Alabama! If you’d like to see a list of all the Family Friendly Things to Do in Columbus, Georgia, CLICK HERE Columbus is a FABULOUS destination,…

The Chattahoochee Riverwalk is a 15 mile long river front park that traverses the scenic and historic Columbus, Georgia waterfront. On the Alabama side of the river, you will find the Phenix City Riverwalk, which offers an equally scenic 1.2 mile trail hugging the western shore of the Chattahoochee. Connecting the two, is a recently restored section of the Historic 14th Street Bridge. Originally designed and constructed in the early 1830’s by Horace King, a well-known American architect and former slave, the bridge was destroyed by floods in the late 1830’s. It was rebuilt by King, and then destroyed again…

One of our “new” favorite things to do is check out Historic Hotels. For my birthday, we spent an evening in the River Street Inn in Savannah, Georgia, and ever since then, I’ve been hooked! The Columbus Marriott in Columbus, Georgia is also a gorgeous old-mill-turned-modern-hotel. A stunning lobby with epic fixtures gives way to a brick-laden hallway, leading you to well-appointed comfortable rooms. Historic details surround you, from door handles, to hardware, to old signs, windows, and more! If you’d like to check out the Columbus Marriott, CLICK HERE! If you’d like to see a list of all the…

Gwinnett County boasts an extensive park system with lots of hiking and trails. In the Buford area, The Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center has several hiking options of its own, including the Ivy Creek Greenway. From the parking lot of The Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center, the Ivy Creek Greenway takes you out to the Woodward Mill Historic Site. All in all, this isn’t the most natural setting. You do border some residential and commercial properties, and come out under the vicinity of Interstate 85. But, if you are into a bit of urban exploring, it’s still a good hike….

From contemporary urban amenities, through the historic districts, and into quaint neighborhoods, New Orleans is an easily walkable city, loaded with fun, and TONS OF FLAVOR! A little bit of Mardi Gras, no matter the time of year, can be found throughout these jovial streets and funky alleyways! Unique architecture, with hundreds of years of stories to tell! Music filling your ears… Art delighting your eyes! And, ’tis even the season, to throw a bit of Christmas spirit into the mix! Statues, monuments, and memorials, an homage to those that came before us… Street cars and riverboats… Moving people through…

A friend of mine told us about the Death Valley Ghost Town of Rhyolite. The Rhyolite Historic Townsite was a gold rush era boomtown that came to life in 1904. Gone almost as quickly as it arrived, the town was completely abandoned by 1916. We did intend to arrive during the day to explore the historic townsite a little more intimately. But, experiencing a Ghost Town in the dark definitely made for a unique end to our time in Nevada. We even saw some Wild Burros amongst the ruins. Rhyolite is 35 miles from the Death Valley National Park Furnace…

Well, now, it’s not every day you see a “House of Ill Repute” show up on a Family Travel Website! Or on the National Register of Historic Places, for that matter! Miss Laura’s Social Club is the only former bordello in Arkansas listed on the NRHP! And what a history this place has! Currently serving as the Visitors Center for the city of Fort Smith, you can stop by Miss Laura’s for all sorts of brochures and area suggestions and recommendations. And, if you are intrigued with Miss Laura’s unique past, you can even take a free guided tour! A…

Continuing our experience at Fort Smith National Historic Site, we were led here, to to the Fort Smith National Cemetery. Notable interments here include: W.H.H. Clayton, lawyer and judge in post-Civil War Arkansas Brigadier General William Orlando Darby, World War II veteran, leader of Darby’s Rangers Jack Fleck, World War II Navy veteran and professional golfer Richard C. Gatlin, Civil War Confederate general James M. McIntosh, Civil War Confederate brigadier general Isaac C. Parker, U.S. representative, frontier judge known as “The Hanging Judge” Hal Smith, United States Air Force veteran and MLB catcher Alexander E. Steen, Missouri State Guard (Confederate) general Cemeteries, in my opinion, offer the…

Situated along the Arkansas River, the Fort Smith National Historic Site preserves an 80 year span of history in this Westernmost Arkansas settlement. As you explore the jail cells, courtroom, exhibits, artifacts, and outdoor trails, you can experience life as it was then on the edge of “Indian Territory” throughout the 1800’s. Engage with the touching stories of US Soldiers; Natives along the Trail of Tears; dangerous outlaws; and the brave, legendary lawmen who dedicated their lives to policing the Western Frontier. If your kids have ever expressed an interest in the “Wild Wild West” they will be intrigued with…

In the early 1960s, Kelly Ingram Park, in Birmingham, Alabama became the epicenter of our nation’s Civil Rights Movement. Today, you can walk in the footsteps of those who endured bombings, brutality, confrontations, rallies, and more, to fight for their most basic of human rights. Monuments, statues, signage, and even an audio tour bring the struggle to life as you march with those who came before us. Birmingham Civil Rights Heritage Trail at Kelly Ingram Park Click on any photo for books and resources for learning about the Birmingham Civil Rights Movement.

The Four Spirits Sculpture at Kelly Ingram Park memorializes the lives lost during the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing on September 15, 1963. The four girls represented in the statues are all shown in preparation for the Church sermon, just moments before the explosion that would take their lives. The youngest girl killed, Denise McNair, is releasing six doves into the air as she stands barefoot upon the bench. The second barefoot girl, Addie Mae Collins, kneels upon the bench, helping McNair with her dress. Cynthia Wesley, the third young girl, sits alongside the others with a book in her lap depicting the words…

This Historic Courthouse and Museum in the Downtown Square of Cleveland, Georgia is a beautifully maintained building and gorgeous surrounding grounds that pays homage to the Gold Rush History of White County, Georgia!

Today was a bright, beautiful day on the Upper Cumberland, and it offered a rare moment that I had some extra daylight time at my leisure after my appointments for the afternoon. So, I opted for the scenic route home; and it took me through Downtown Livingston, Tennessee for some antique shopping and a walk around the Overton County Courthouse Grounds and the surrounding Historic Square. I even found a painted rock! I’d say it was a great day, indeed!

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Bohemian Flats Park – Minneapolis, Minnesota The Bohemian Flats Park sits unassuming in its simple, yet lushly green beauty, along a bend of the West bank of the Mississippi River. However, the stories that this place could tell… Wow. Such an incredible history as an immigrant shanty town of the early industrial era of Minneapolis. The hardships of life, the beauty of community. But, for now, we lounge. Basking in the sun, reveling in the simplicity. The river traffic passes us by…. Feeling… Almost… As if these flats could talk. Listening… To their stories in the wind. Minneapolis Queen Paddlewheel…

The Historic Mill District of Minneapolis Many locations within the boundaries of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, a National Park Unit, offer fascinating highlights of the historic Minneapolis milling industry. Spend some time traversing both the East and West Banks of the Mississippi River to explore panoramic vistas of old mills, industrial ruins, historic bridges, natural falls, navigational structures, and protected National Landmarks, as they all give way to the modern amenities of today’s bustling Mill City. Area attractions showcasing some of the fascination history of this side of Twin Cities: Mill Ruins Park, Mill City Museum, Stone Arch Bridge, Father…

St. Anthony Falls Visitor Center and Lock and Dam St. Anthony Falls Visitor Center and Lock and Dam offers fabulous panoramic views of the St. Anthony Falls amongst the historic Minneapolis Mill District. Unfortunately, the falls were not accessible the day we were here, but definitely check this location out if you are in the Minneapolis area! This is a great place to learn about the Mississippi River’s navigational history, as well as the logging and milling industries from Northern Minnesota, down through Minneapolis. This location is within the boundaries of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, so be…

The Song of Hiawatha at Minnehaha Falls Regional Park Poet extraordinaire, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, gave us ‘The Song of Hiawatha’ in his legendary epic poem. Norwegian sculptor, Jacob Fjelde, captured the love of Hiawatha and Minnehaha in his renowned sculpture. Originally created for the Minnesota Building for the duration of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, the statue of the couple is now situated in perpetuity atop Minnehaha Falls in Minnehaha Regional Park in Minneapolis, Minnesota. “Over wide and rushing riversIn his arms he bore the maiden;Light he thought her as a feather,As the plume upon his head-gear;Cleared the tangled pathway…

Another Bucket List Check on our State Capitols Tour! Check out more of our adventures at Capitol Letters! The Minnesota State Capitol Building is an absolutely beautiful piece of architecture, loaded with gorgeous details. The grounds hold statues and plaques paying homage to the State’s Historically Significant Contributors. To read more, check out this book! To see the interior, CLICK HERE! How about the Basement?

The most important thing to keep in mind when visiting The Field Museum in Chicago, is that it is a LOT bigger than it looks on the outside! If you really want to absorb the information provided in the exhibits, I would genuinely recommend narrowing your visit down to one or two exhibit halls, and pacing yourself accordingly. You can certainly walk through at a quicker pace and SEE it all in one day. But, over the years, we’ve found our groove with focusing on one section at a time, and allowing ourselves the unpressured time to read the signage;…

One of Trillian’s favorite things to do is check out Capitol Buildings in each state. It is her personal goal to get to them all! She especially enjoys the little nooks, crannies, basements, staircases, and other unusual locations off the beaten path! She loves the details of railings, mouldings, lights, knobs, hardware, and all the historic touches that make the interiors and exteriors of these buildings so unique! The Michigan State Capitol Building in Lansing is a building full of all of these beautiful details!

Across all genres of music, black people in Tennessee have definitely laid the foundation! Our state really is the epicenter of talent in our nation, and has been for generations. The “I Have a Voice: Tennessee’s African American Musical Heritage Exhibit” at the Cookeville History Museum was full of fascinating information about these historically significant musical contributions, and offered a first hand view of many artifacts to illustrate these milestones in music history. This exhibit travels around to different museums throughout the state, so if you see it in your area, be sure to check it out! Each image below…

Mobile Mardi Gras Park may be a newer park on the landscape of Downtown Mobile, Alabama, but be sure to check out the collection of statues representing the historical Mardi Gras cultural traditions of the city! Colorful Mardi Gras Royalty and jovial Jesters proudly surround the park green, and make for a fun walk before or after visiting The Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center, History Museum of Mobile, or Colonial Fort Conde! Mobile, Alabama is a great Family Friendly Destination loaded with history, culture, cuisine, and FUN!

Where historic buildings of ornately styled architecture give way to high-rise hotels, the Lower Dauphin Street Historic District of Mobile, Alabama is a destination that has it all! A 19th century melting pot of cultures and styles blend together for food, music, and revelry of the best kind! French, Spanish, British, Creole, Catholic, Greek and African cultures have all played their parts in the shaping of everything from architecture, cuisine, and business; to celebrations, traditions, local lore and more! Honor Mobile’s incredible history, by enjoying the modern Mobile of today!

Dauphin Island has been on my bucket list for a while! Today, we took the Mobile Bay Auto Ferry ride out of Fort Morgan and over to Dauphin Island. Once there, we visited The Estuarium at Dauphin Island Sea Lab. And then took a look around Fort Gaines. And then, just explored the island itself! This collection contains a few random shots from our adventures! Be sure to check out All Our Dauphin Island Adventures!

The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park consists of several buildings in Atlanta, Georgia that interpret the deeply moving history of this pivotal Civil Rights leader. You will find Martin Luther King Jr.’s boyhood home; as well as the original Ebenezer Baptist Church, where King was baptized. He and his father, Martin Luther King Sr., both served as pastors at Ebenezer. Also in the 35 acre Sweet Auburn complex are: Fire Station No. 6 The National Park Visitor Center The Behold Monument The “I Have a Dream” International World Peace Rose Garden  The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change And a…

Most kids LOVE trains! Mine always have! The Historic Huntsville Depot has an extensive collection of both indoor and outdoor exhibits through all eras of railroad history in and around the Alabama region. The Huntsville Depot was a passenger station until the late 1960’s. Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this preserved historic facility offers great fun for all ages. Even the youngest kids will enjoy playing in the Little Toots play area! Historic Huntsville Depot is a unit within the Early Works Family of Museums, which also includes Alabama Constitution Hall Park and Museum, and The…

Oh, what a fabulous way to spend an afternoon! Early Works Children’s Museum is a HUGE history museum, focused on the timeline of the State of Alabama, but geared specifically for kids! Hours upon hours worth of fascinating hands-on exhibits throughout a VERY well done series of rooms themed by historical era. Run an old-fashioned general store market, hear legends from the Story Tree, make music, dress up in period costumes, cook a meal over an open hearth… Spin cotton, board a wagon towards new discoveries, work on a flatboat… Immerse yourself in Black and African History, and honor the…

When visiting Alabama Constitution Hall Park and Museum, be sure to check out their schedule of guided tours and interactive experiences. We were fortunate enough to have a lovely tour guide share such an intimate hands-on Workshop Tour and Old-Fashioned Toy Experience with us today! We got to see how things were made, and had plenty of time to enjoy the toys ourselves! So much fun! Alabama Constitution Hall Park and Museum is a unit within the Early Works Family of Museums, which also includes Early Works Children’s Museum, and the Historic Huntsville Depot. All the units together can make…

Alabama Constitution Hall Park and Museum is a unit within the Early Works Family of Museums, which also includes Early Works Children’s Museum, and the Historic Huntsville Depot. All the units together can make a busy day of fun, or even a full and fabulous educational weekend getaway. One membership gets you admission to all 3 locations! I find this group of museums to be fairly unique in scope to have such a focus on history that is very specifically geared towards younger children. Sometimes history can feel dry, or boring, but not within the Early Works Family of Museums!…

Historic Richmond, Kentucky has stories to tell from every era of American history! From the earliest Native History, to Daniel Boone and fellow explorers entering the area in the 1770’s, to the Revolutionary War, to The Battle of Richmond in the Civil War, all the way to modern times… Homes, buildings, businesses, and more, have been preserved in their states of grandeur! Consider a stop in Richmond next time you are passing through the area!

A lovely day on the Lora Blevins Farmstead in the Bandy Creek region of the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. Click on any photo below to learn more about planning a trip to the Big South Fork Region! Located in Upper Middle Tennessee, the Big South Fork NRRA, a unit of the National Park Service, is one of the most beautiful mountain regions in all of the United States! Some of the most breath-taking scenery along hiking trails can be found here. Prettier than the Great Smoky Mountains, in my humble opinion, with none of the traffic!

Blevins Cemetery is located on the Lora Blevins Farmstead in the Bandy Creek area of the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. Ever want to feel the true power of history? Stand amongst the headstones. Feel their stories wash over you. History isn’t just words on the pages of dusty old books. History is the story.. Of lives, of love, of hardships, of strife… Struggle. Those that overcame. And, all too often, Those that didn’t. May they never be forgotten. Angels among us. We hear your stories. We are forever a part of you, And you, Forever a…

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has an intriguing human history that has left its mark on the beautiful land. In addition to being preserved as a part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the area of Cades Cove is also designated as a United Nations World Heritage Site, and an International Biosphere Reserve. There is no better place to immerse yourself into this significantly historic scenery than by driving the 11 mile one-way auto loop through Cades Cove, on the western side of the park, just outside of Townsend, Tennessee. Here, amongst the stunning natural features of the…

The Liberty Bell is DEFINITELY one of those absolute American Icons that you HAVE to see at least once in your life. With that being said, there isn’t much to do other than see it. And seeing it does take a little bit of effort. But, in my opinion, it IS absolutely worth it. Start your adventure at the Independence Visitor Center to get everything you need to access the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. Then, you’ll probably find yourself standing in line for a while… But, there is a large field in which the kids can burn a little…

Every Philadelphia Adventure starts at the Independence Visitor Center at Independence National Historical Park! Here you can catch Museum Exhibits, a Cafe, all kinds of Philly Info, and, of course, everything you need to know about visiting the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall! We started our morning by grabbing breakfast at the cafe, and getting a head start on our Junior Ranger Books! Before we headed over to the Liberty Bell, we spent some time with the main man himself, Benjamin Franklin!