The Smithsonian Institute encompassed 17 museums (and a zoo!) located in Washington DC- check out the list here- and two locations in New York City: Cooper Hewitt, a design museum, and the National Museum of the Native American. Located in the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, the National Museum of the American Indian chronicles the history of indigenous peoples throughout the Western Hemisphere.
Mount Vernon, home to George and Martha Washington and their family, is the most popular home in America- over one million people visit each year. The home, located twenty minutes outside downtown Washington DC in Mount Vernon, Virginia, was originally a 8,000 complex with five farms: Dogue Run, Muddy Hole, River, Union, and Mansion House Farms. Washington also built a gristmill and distillery on the property, which is on the banks of the Potomac River, with Maryland on the other side of the river. Washington took possession of the home in 1739 and completed a major renovation by 1787. After George and Martha died in 1779 and 1802 respectively, the home was passed on to family until 1860, when the home was open to the public. The now 50 acre site includes over two dozen areas to explore. We’ve included ten spots children will most enjoy.
The Old State House, built in 1713, is the oldest building in Boston. It has been restored several times since it was saved by demolition in 1881. In addition to being the State House, the building also served as City Hall in the mid 1800s. It’s famous for overlooking the Boston Massacre and being the site of the first reading of the Declaration of Independence in Boston. In 1903 a branch of the subway was installed.
With your admission ticket, each guest receives a lanyard and card and assigned historical figure from the Revolution Era. Each card includes biographical information, social rank, and age. Use this information at several exhibits throughout the museum.
Opened in June of 2016, the Whydah Pirate Museum showcases the ruins of the Whydah ship and the only full pirate treasure ever discovered in the world. The Whydah, a slave ship eventually overtaken by pirates, was built in 1715 in London and sailed to West Africa before heading to America. Captured by Sam Bellamy and fellow pirates, a Nor’Easter sank the ship off the shores of Cape Cod during the early morning hours of April 27, 1717. Only 2 of the 146 men (130 pirates and 16 prisoners) on the ship survived.
In 1984, Barry Clifford discovered the wreckage off the coast of Wellsfleet, Massachusetts. Archaeologists and divers search through the wreckage between June and October each year searching for more treasures and bring artifacts back to the lab for cleaning, preservation, and display at the museum.
Touted as the “handsomest building” President Theodore Roosevelt ever saw, the five story Pennsylvania State Capitol, covers over 5 acres in downtown Harrisburg. The current 600 room building was completed in 1906, after a 1897 fire destroyed the original building. It’s “home” to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, State Senate, State House of Representatives, and State Supreme Court, The campus now includes 10 additional buildings, although the main Capitol Building and East Wing will be most appealing to visitors.
It was the deadliest three days of the Civil War: July 1st, 2nd,and 3rd of 1863. The Battle of Gettysburg resulted in 51,000 casualties and the freeing of six million slaves. At the time of the battle, only 2400 people lived in the small town. By July 1st, 1863, Gettysburg was taken over by over 160,000 soldiers. Gettysburg was chosen because ten major roads intersected at the town and both the Confederate and Union armies believes they could more readily attack the other side.
The military park, the world’s largest outdoor museum and sculpture garden, covers 6,000 acres. Visitors will need to drive to many of the locations throughout the park. A well organized and marked auto tour is available. Each year over one million people explore Gettysburg Military Park. We always look for National Parks locations whenever we travel (read why here) and enjoyed spending a full day exploring parts of the park.