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Historic Sites News and Information
Civil War 150th Anniversary, 2nd Year
January 2012
Anniversary events are being planned across the Virginia, western, and southern campaigns of the Civil War. From 150th Anniversary events at Fort Donelson, Pea Ridge, Shiloh, Antietam, and many others, take advantage of learning the history of the Civil War among special events and celebrations. Remember, Antietam, in September of 1862, became the prompt for Abraham Lincoln to announce the upcoming Emancipation Proclamation, which adds to the importance of the Sharpsburg, Maryland conflict between General Lee's & General McClellan's forces.
Museum of the American Revolution
December 2011
Architects have been selected and the process for building the Museum of the American Revolution next to Independence National Park in Philadelphia is moving forward, with opening scheduled for 2015. The museum will be built on land where the former visitor center for the park was located across from the First Bank of the United States, and will be dedicated to telling the story about the American Revolution.
Fort Monroe National Monument
November 2011
Fort Monroe has been designated a National Monument by President Obama through the Antiquities Act and will now be preserved through the National Park Service. This fort and land, which saw historic value as a landing point for John Smith, was at the start of the free slave movement, and hosted many presidents and dignitaries, contains 8 miles of waterfront.
Fort Davis Expansion Dedication
October 2011
On October 8, Fort Davis will dedicate an expansion of its park with an additional 48 acres that will protect the viewshed of this american west fort. Although we discuss the expansion and preservation of many Civil War sites, the american history parks of the west, including this Texas national historic site, are also in need of protection. This acquisition will prevent development from siting next to the park and is a good addition to the interpretive value of the frontier.
Recovering Franklin
September 2011
What was once a forgotten battlefield covered over with houses and strip malls is moving closer and closer in the direction of a battlefield park. The Battle of Franklin and the three mile long front in the southern section of town has been moving steadily over the last five to ten years to recover its lost history and develop interpretive areas in the city. Over one hundred acres of a former countryclub will form the East Front Battlefield Park, next to Carnton Plnatation, and lands around the central area of the Carter House have been added as well.
Preservation Efforts at Perryville
August 2011
The Civil War Trust has announced a campaign to save 141 additional acres of the Perryville Battlefield. The land is adjacent to the current Perryville Battlefield State Historic Park. This Kentucky battle during October of 1862 saw over 70,000 soldiers in combat. For more information about the park.
July 4 Picnic at Valley Forge
July 2011
The Friends of Valley Forge this year sponsored a 4th of July picnic in front of the visitor center of the historic park. With readings of the Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson, as well as food, and lots of fun, the event was a nice addition to new interpretation at Valley Forge over the last five years. With the free Revolutionary War Shuttle that takes you around the park, redone Washington Headquarters area including an adjunt visitor center there in the train station that includes two five minute films, and summer story benches. it's well worth a visit for those who have never been, or have gone there often.
Gettysburg Casino Backers File Appeal
June 2011
Mason-Dixon resort filed an appeal with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on June 20, 2011, challenging the decision of the gaming control board that denied them a license to operate one half mile from the Gettysburg National Military Park. The board awarded the license to the Nemacolin Resort south of Pittsburgh. Even though their first appeal to the Pennsylvania Gaming Board was denied, the backers of a casino are continuing their effort to bring casino gambling to Gettysburg. Whether they are successful in their attempts or not this time, this points out the necessity for the Pennsylvania state bill that would ban a casino from being placed within 10 miles of a national military park. With an additinoal license to be granted in 2017, let's urge PA lawmakers to prevent another repeat of this process and safeguard Gettysburg National Military Park from a casino.
Rekindle Freedom @ Statue of Liberty
May 2011
It just comes even more greatly to mind with the events of the last day of April in a far off place like Pakistan, how important it is of the freedoms we enjoy provided by our ideas of liberty and freedom, plus the patriotic sacrifice of those who protect us. As a reminder, the Statue of Liberty sits in the harbor of New York, with its sister site Ellis Island. If you've never been to these two wonderful natioanal treasures, make a plan to go. It makes for a wonderful day and even includes a ferry ride or two.
Gettysburg Casino Application Denied
April 2011
Gettysburg Casino application denied by the Pennsylvania Casino Control Board on a 6-1 vote, awarding the license to Nemacolin resort south of Pittsburgh at their meeting on April 14. Great thanks goes to the No Casino Gettysburg group, the Civil War Trust, and other preservation organizations who fought against this proposal. For those that haven't had the chance, you can still watch the wonderful videos here put together by the No Casino Gettysburg and Civil War Preservation Trust coaltion. It includes well known people who are against the casino idea, including Sam Waterston, Matthew Broderick, Ken Burns, and others.
Fort Sumter 150th Anniversary
April 2011
From April 9-17, Fort Sumter and Charleston will be celebrating the 150th anniversary of the initial engagement of the Civil War. With a variety of reenactments, walks and talks, and a whole lot else, this first celebration of the 150th, which will go on for four years over the hundreds of civil war history sites from coast to coast, will set the stage for the reasons and actions that precipitated it all. For more information on the activities and site, visit our Fort Sumter and the NPS official webpage at Fort Sumter National Monument.
Smokey Mountains Again Heads the List
March 2011
Yes, they've done it again. The Great Smokey Mountain National Park heads the list of historic and national parks with the greatest attendance in the system at 9,463,538 visitors. Ahead of them among park units, but in a different category to us (NRA, Parkway, NSR, etc.), is the Blue Ridge Parkway and Golden Gate National Recreation Areas. For more on the winners and losers on National Park Service attendance in 2010, go to our page on Historic Site Attendance Statistics.
More Historic Site News and Information
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. America's Best History Notes America's Best History and our Ellis Island page has been mentioned in an article and list on immigrant stories. Ellis Island, the processing center for many of our forefathers, contains an amazing history of how our country blossomed during the late 1900s through the mid-20th century. |
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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.
Americans Getting Their GED
As the demand for more experience grows, more American's are going back to school or earning their GED. Only a few websites offer any free GED practice while others like GED Test.net provide innovative new study kits to help prepare individuals for the actual GED test.
