The Explore All 50 States Project
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The Minute Man National Historical Park is an area between the towns of Lexington and Concord and encompasses several sites important to the planning and preliminary battles of the American Revolutionary War. I cannot even begin to tell you what a profoundly moving experience it was to stand of the very ground that was once soaked with the blood of those who bravely fought for our right to be free and self … [Read more...]
What a waste of time! Not only of ours, but of the folks who put this jumble of a museum together. It's such a shame because there are some really cool artifacts but there are no explanations about what you are looking at. There was a whole display about linen and yet, there was nothing to tell you that linen comes from the flax plant or what's involved in making it all they had were a few swatches of woven … [Read more...]
Visiting Boott Cotton Mill is an important lesson in the industrial revolution of this country. Rising like a cathedral, this huge building complex reminded me of fortress. Built in the 1830's and opened for 100 years, this factory used the raw cotton shipped from plantations in the south and turned into cotton fabric. Head upstairs to the mill room, and you experience what it was like for that factory workers … [Read more...]
After seeing Plymouth Rock, head to the Plimoth Plantation and experience life as a Pilgrim. Living history museums are so fun because it's an experience and not just looking at displays. You get to take part and learn by participating. Learn about the Wampanoag tribe of Native Americans who lived side by side with the Pilgrims by visit ing a Wampanoag village with real descendants of the tribe who work here to … [Read more...]
We were all so excited to actually see Plymouth Rock and were just a little deflated when we arrived as we just could not believe how small it was. It sits on the beach under a sort of stone gazebo type structure. In the rock is carved the year 1620. I advise reading the story on the sign near the memorial where you will learn that the rock is about one third the size of the original, as it had been removed, cut … [Read more...]
So this is a little confusing, when you Google the address it takes you to an office building. Don't make the same mistake we did and pass it by, do go in as the visitor center is there where you can purchase tickets for the tours for the birthplace and the home which are all part of the National Park Service. We didn’t do the tour (which takes about 1½ hours)because we didn't arrive at the right time. I am sorry … [Read more...]
Arriving here, I think Isaac and Joel felt that they died and went to heaven. This place is just incredible if you are a basketball fan. There was so much so see and do here that I had a hard time prying everyone out the door to move on, especially on the main floor where there's a real court and various hoops to test your skills. This is not a place you expect to be in a town like Springfield, but it's here because … [Read more...]
There is no painter who better captures the spirit of America more than Norman Rockwell and that's why I thought it was so important to go to this museum even though it was a little out of the way in Stockbridge-which by the way, is the cutest town ever. This is where Norman Rockwell made his home and had his studio on the premises. Inside my kids and I were all blown away to see many of his very popular and … [Read more...]
College campuses are not places I regularly seek out as stops on my road trips, but occasionally they can be historically significant or offer something unique, kitschy or cool that’s relevant to the place you are visiting. A quick visit can usually be accomplished in about 30 minutes. I’ll be the first to admit, one of the biggest motivating factors is leaving with a real deal souvenir t-shirt bought at the … [Read more...]
I knew New England would be rich with historical significance, but I had no idea it would be so overwhelming. I felt at times that I was standing in the birthplace of this great nation. Seeing these historic places, pulled at us and brought us close to those brave souls who were pushed to the edge, to risk life and limb for liberty and freedom. From John Adams to JFK to Ben and Jerry, New England was full of … [Read more...]
