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Historic Sites News and Information
Martin Luther King Memorial Sees Spectacular Visitor Attendance Start
April 2012
The winners and losers in the National Park attendance stats for 2011 are in, and the most spectacular gain is one unit that was in its first year, and only a partial year at that. The Martin Luther King Memorial on the basin of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. saw the highest attendance gain, at 1,490,358 visitors in 2011. The Memorial is bound to be amongst the highest visitied units of all 367 units in the National Park Service in 2011. To find out more about the winners and losers in 2011, go to the America's Best History 2011 Stats page.
Tule Springs May Become Next National Monument
April 2012
Tule Springs, just outside Las Vegas, may become the newest national monument as an effort in Congress to protect the 23,000 acres rich with fossils and natural history makes its way through Washington channels. If approved, the National Monument would be managed by the National Park Service.
Shenandoah Battlefield Preservation
April 2012
Two new preservation projects have begun by the Civil War Trust in the ongoing effort to make the Shenandoah Valley National Battlefield Park project an onging reality. 83 acres at the 1862 battle site of Cross Keys and 161 acres at the 1864 battle site of Tom's Brook are now part of this continuing campaign to save the many fields of battle within the two Valley campaigns.
Rails to Trails History
April 2012
All across the country, abandoned railroad spurs are being turned into biking and walking trails, as well as telling the story of many historic sites and scenes along the way. The railroad history of the nation recounts numerous stories of industrial and westward expansion, and helps connects our cities and towns in some unique ways. For a list of the rails and trails in your area, go to railstotrails.org.
New Gulf Coast Park Proposed
March 2012
In the counties south of Houston, the Lone Star National Recreation Area is being proposed to safeguard coastal wetlands and historic sites, coupled with an attempt to control flooding during storms. The park would potentially bring 1.5 million tourists to the area. For more information, go to the Houston Wilderness website.
Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Park
February 2012
The new, and still emerging, national historical park in the Shenandoah Valley centers around a number of battles held in the valley during the Civil War. Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park, in 2002, was formed with 1,500 acres that had already been saved by various groups in the area & now is partnered with the National Park Service to manage the park. Interpretation at the park is still in development; in 2010 a summer (with some spring and fall tours on the weekends) follow the ranger tour began. Now 77 acres are being preserved by the Civil War Trust to be added to the park.
New Gettysburg Museum Moving Forward
February 2012
The Seminary Ridge Museum, to be housed in Schmucker Hall, the site of the copula used as a viewing platform by Union troops during the 1st day of battle, is moving forward with a 16,000 square foot, $12 million private museum to be opened by the 150th anniversary of the battle. Located on the grounds of the Lutheran Theological Seminary, this museum will cover the 1st Day of Battle, its use as a field hospital, and the consequences of war on four floors of exhibits, many never before seen by the public.
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.
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.
