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Historic Sites News and Information
Valley Forge Discovery
July 2010
Archaeologists working at Valley Forge National Military Park have just unearthed proof of a long rumored addition to Washington's Headquarters. The dining room cabin, built behind the headquarters during the encampment for extra space used for dining and meetings had been mentioned in a letter by Martha Washington, but never before found. The dig is currently ongoing and you can see it during your car or shuttle tour of the site.
Gulf Coast National Parks
June 2010
Efforts are underway to protect the lands at some of the Gulf of Mexico region's National Parks in the wake of the disaster caused by the gulf oil spill. Staff at Gulf Islands National Seashore and Everglades National Park are hard at work to minimize any effect this might cause.
Civil War History Under Siege
May 2010
This year's edition of the Civil War Preservation Trusts History Under Siege report has been issued. Ten sites in great danger have been listed, including Camp Allegheny, WV; Cedar Creek, VA; Fort Stevens, DC; Gettysburg, PA; Picacho Peak, AZ; Pickett's Mill, GA; Richmond, KY; South Mountains, MD; Thoroughfare Gap, VA; and Wilderness, VA. They also include fifteen others that are at risk. The Gettysburg situation is reaching its head with two issues at the forefront, the Gettysburg casino plan for a site 1/2 mile from the park, as well as the Gettysburg Countryclub land, which has been sold to a developer. To read more abou the Gettysburg fight, go to our Preservation Gettysburg page. For more info about the CWPT and the History Under Siege report, click here.
Free Admission Days
May 2010
We know the economy is still tough and the National Park Service does, too. Take a trip to one of the great national treasures on one of the six free admission days and take in some of the great nature and history they have to offer. There are two days in June (5-6), two days in August (15-16), as well as September 25 and November 11, Veterans Day. It'll be one great day for you and your crew.
On Their Way Up and Down, National Park Stats of 2009
April 2010
The stats are in and they're showing more than a few ups and downs in the attendance numbers for our favorite national parks. Once again, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park retains its position as the top visited National Park and Historic Site while the Blue Ridge Parkway is the highest attended national park unit overall. And jumping into the top ten is the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park. To take a look at the full top ten, as well as those that rose or slid in 2009, check out the America's Best History Stat page.
National Park Week
April 2010
Take the time to enjoy one of our national parks during National Park Week from April 17-25. And this year, you can make the trip back to nature and history for FREE. The National Park Service is waiving all entrance fees to their 392 parks, national monuments, and military parks during this week. Now get outside, or inside, and enjoy the treasures of the United States. You'll be glad you did.
Casino and Land Protection Battle Continues at Gettysburg
April 2010
The Mason-Dixon Casino Resort has officially filed application for a casino license on April 7, 2010, for their property only 1/2 mile from Gettysburg National Military Park. Four other applicants have also filed. The battle now shifts to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, who will select the location for this available license.
News on the Gettysburg protection front keeps adding problems as a local bank has now sold the Gettysburg Countryclub, located within the park boundaries and site of critical first day fighting, to a developer with the potential for 420 new homes on historic land. This sale, which was done while preservation groups were attempting to purchase the property, and who would still like to do so, is another example of the siege that is going on around Gettysburg, only put on hold during this economic downturn, but which has not gone away. With the new proposed casino project and developers getting ready to pounce again, it's important not to forget this fight to protect America's most historic small town. For more on this fight, check out our page on Preservation Gettysburg.
Protection Victory for Glacier National Park
March 2010
A historic agreement has been reached between Montana and British Columbia, protecting the Flathead River Valley from future mining and mineral production and maintaining the habitat for wildlife just north of the Glacier National Park, and its feeder system of water resources that are critical in the area.
Composer Stirs Up Oregon Trail in Music
February 2010
It's not often you're made aware of something that stis the historic soul, but that's just what Timothy Scott Misner has done with his new musical composition with multiple songs by Timothy Scott Misner called "Sketches from the Oregon Trail." Stirring. Great. Time the time to stop by his site. Worth a listen and perhaps a performance near you.
Florida Park Sites Perfect for Winter Fun
January 2010
Don't just visit the mouse! There's so much historical and natural wonders in the state of Florida, and winter is the perfect time to visit Cape Canaveral National Seashore with hits pristine beaches or Everglades National Park with its creatures of nature or even St. Augustine and visit forts and other such history. Take a day or two on your Disney vacation to see some of the other wonders of Florida. You'll be glad you did.
About Us
| From
the Grand Canyon
to San Francisco Bay, all across the United States, America's
historical sites and lands attract millions of recreational tourists,
vacation travelers, and history buffs year after year. They
range
from Civil War sites like Gettysburg to the natural wonders of our land
at Yellowstone National Park. Inspired by the best historical
sites across the U.S.A., the website and other facets of America's Best
History strives to provide one location where the history traveler can
jump onto the trail, with a focus on the history of the best
locations. We will focus both on the history of our land, as
well
as our people, from the strife to found a nation, to the struggles and
triumphs in between. This site will attempt to be an
ever-changing landscape, with pages that we hope will inspire you to
remember where you've been on vacation and where you attempt to go, all
while learning more and more about the inspiring sites and lands that
make America great. |
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Each page will contain a short history of the historical site and its significance, whether National Park, National Historical Site, an entire city, or attraction. There will be information about the current attractions and things to see as well. Expect each page to contain links to the actual locations, as well as other items, including statistics (we love statistics). There are currently two main sections to the site; the U.S. History Timeline, a timeline of American History which records by decade the five most important events of each year of the decade, plus the recent addition National Park Timeline, and the second area, Historic Sites, which discusses individual locations, whether a city, state, or historic attractions within each, that are, in our opinion, among the best historic attractions in the United States. |
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Save Our Historic Sites and Vistas
TAKE
ACTION NOW!
From
Gettysburg to San Onofre
Although the current economic climate has slowed some of the
troubles in preserving historic sites and lands with slower development
growth, the problem of preservation funding is now in the fore even
more. If you want to get involved, contact the various
organizations in your local community to see where you can help.
National organizations such as the Civil War Preservation
Trust and the National Parks Conservations Organization are always in
need of assistance.
