When George Washington and Robert E. Lee are part of your history, no doubt there’s more to discover too. In the Lexington historic district, in Rockbridge County, Virginia, there’s history on every corner — and often in between! Ellie and I met friends in Lexington this summer, a first visit for us all. Knowing this […]
5 must-see history museums
George Santayana said, “Those who do not remember the past are doomed to repeat it.” It doesn’t have to be hard to remember. Visit these 5 museums and be inspired! Valley Forge National Historic Park Valley Forge in King of Prussia, PA, brings history to life. Costumed re-enactors tell stories of revolutionary patriots stationed here and […]
Pirate Festival returns to Hampton, VA
Hampton, Virginia is one of my favorite historical destinations in the United States… or maybe you knew that already? Last summer, I got to take my husband to show him Fort Monroe and for the Blackbeard Pirate Festival. Luckily, he thought it was pretty cool, too. He wants to go back and take the kids. […]
Lewis & Clark State Historic Site
Near Alton, Illinois, the Lewis & Clark State Historic Site — an interactive museum — tells one of the most important stories in American History. If you know Thomas Jefferson, then you know his insatiable curiosity and love for country drove him. He was a thinker who understood that America needed to grow — in […]
Madison’s Montpelier: A family guide
**Special thanks to Montpelier for tickets provided for purposes of this review.** Growing up, I was fascinated with James and Dolley Madison. James Madison, the father of the US Constitution, was a deep thinker who took his role in early America quite seriously. Dolley, a regular subject of my school papers, was his political “right hand.” […]
Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello
**We received free admission to Monticello for purposes of this review. All opinions are mine.** I’ve gotten to visit Monticello twice in the past year. The first visit gave me a strong sense of Thomas Jefferson: his values, his sense of place in this world and his incredible intellect. My second visit, armed with Jeffersonian knowledge, […]
Monuments by Moonlight: See DC after dark
**Thanks to Destination, DC for providing tickets for purposes of this review.** I live only 5 hours from Washington, DC and know there are lots of things to do in DC. We’ve made many treks up I-95 to enjoy the Smithsonian, Library of Congress and great food that the city offers. I had never heard […]
Ash Lawn-Highland, a presidential landmark
Post updated January 2018 to reflect the name change. The estate is now called “Highland,” as it was when James Monroe lived here. James Monroe’s Highland (formerly called Ash Lawn-Highland) in Charlottesville, Virginia was the home of President James Monroe and his family from 1799 to 1823. The College of William and Mary now owns the property […]
Blackbeard Festival, family friendly fun!
Ahoy, mateys! Today’s post is all about the world’s most authentic pirate festival…. the Blackbeard Festival in Hampton, VA. What’s an authentic pirate festival, you ask? Great question! How about if I start with what an authentic pirate festival is not: 1. Jack Sparrow. That’s not to say he won’t make an appearance. Hollywood’s favorite […]
Poets and pets: The story of Fort Monroe
Have you ever fallen hard for someone — or something? You know, so hard you just can’t get it out of your mind? That happened for me at St. Chappelle in Paris. Stepping into that grand cathedral with its tall stained glass windows that have seen centuries of history, standing on floors where kings have […]
