America is full of history – from historic battlefields and plantations homes, to civil rights leaders’ homes. If you want to learn more about the revolution or remember its heroes, these historical places are well worth your visit.
Visit Gettysburg to explore where one of the pivotal battles of American independence took place or head to Baltimore and tour Fort McHenry; its iconic landmark played an integral role in winning the War of 1812 and inspired Francis Scott Key to compose our national anthem.
1. Valley Forge National Historical Park
Valley Forge National Historical Park features 3,500 acres of woodlands and monuments that showcase one of America’s defining moments: George Washington’s Continental Army winter encampment from 1777-1778, now popularly visited as both an historic site and recreational hub.
The park boasts many historic buildings, reconstructed encampment structures, museums and reconstructed soldiers’ huts that give visitors an insight into life during winter encampment for troops.
This park provides outdoor enthusiasts with various recreational activities, such as hiking and biking, to keep active. It boasts an abundance of plant diversity in its diverse habitat types – wetlands, dry oak hardwood forests and tall grass meadows among them. Furthermore, over 300 species of birds and mammals have been recorded by scientists at King of Prussia Park, making this an oasis for birds and mammals alike! Additionally, King of Prussia boasts numerous dining and recreation offerings close by that visitors can take advantage of.
2. Ford Theatre
President Abraham Lincoln was shot and killed at Ford’s Theatre while watching a play on April 14, 1865. Now open as a museum and theater, Ford’s Theatre allows visitors to learn about Lincoln’s assassination, its historical context during the American Civil War era and any potential conspiracies behind its planning and subsequent killing.
Booth, an admirer of Confederacy sympathizer Andrew Johnson, learned of Lincoln’s plans to attend Our American Cousin at Ford’s Theatre and devised a plot with his accomplices to kill Lincoln, Johnson and Seward – using Lewis Powell to attack Seward while George Atzerodt killed Johnson – with Booth personally going after Lincoln himself.
After Lincoln was assassinated, Ford’s Theatre was renovated and used as an office. In 1932, however, the National Park Service took control of both Ford’s Theatre and Petersen House (where Lincoln died), together forming Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site on 10th Street spanning one block spanning 10th Street. On exhibit here can be found his gun that killed him as well as his compass, diary entries, and other memorabilia related to Lincoln.
3. Historic Jamestowne
Jamestown stands as a remarkable testimony of British colonization in America, telling its remarkable tale through the lens of English settlers, Powhatan Indians and African slaves brought as slaves. Today it forms part of Colonial National Historical Park and Preservation Virginia – two national park management entities responsible for managing it today.
Historic Jamestowne on Jamestown Island provides visitors with several ways to experience its settlement: A well-crafted historical movie, an in-depth modern museum displaying artifacts from that era, as well as recreations of Jamestown Fort and Powhatan village can all be found on site.
An archaearium museum visit is essential when visiting this historic site, displaying key archaeological findings from digs conducted there. Kids will enjoy becoming Junior Rangers at the site and engaging in archaeology with experts. Don’t miss the chance to view replicas of Susan Constant, Godspeed and Discovery ships that brought 104 English settlers to Jamestown – they make for fascinating viewing!
4. Yorktown
Anyone familiar with American history or Hamilton: The Musical knows that Yorktown was the site of the pivotal battle of the Revolutionary War. British General Charles Cornwallis surrendered here, on October 21, 1781, and George Washington led an alliance of American and French forces led by him that triumphantly secured America’s independence from Britain by winning this decisive victory that sealed America’s independence and put an end to war.
Today, Yorktown is part of Colonial National Historical Park and features a museum, battlefield and 18th-century town. Visitors can tour battlegrounds and 18th-century buildings such as Nelson House (home of one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence); Moore House (where surrender negotiations took place); and Yorktown Victory Monument.
Watermen’s Museum is another must-visit attraction of Annapolis. This fascinating exhibit showcases the important role Chesapeake Bay watermen played in shaping the United States from its founding through present day, making this interactive museum one of its kind.
