Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site [TX]

Description

The Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site preserves the site of the May 8, 1846 battle which officially initiated the U.S.-Mexican War. The war was fought to determine the boundary of Texas. During this battle, Mexican forces effectively delayed the advancement of U.S. troops and continued their siege of Fort Texas. However, these benefits had a high cost in casualties—102, as opposed to nine U.S. deaths.

The site offers a 15-minute introductory film, exhibits, wayside interpretive panels, a half-mile trail, Junior Ranger activities, educational programs for students, and one-hour outreach programs for students. The film is available in English and Spanish. All educational programs require at least two weeks advance notice. The website offers elementary school and middle school teacher's guides, as well as introductory video segments for children.

Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial [OH]

Description

The Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial commemorates the long-standing peace among Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom, as well as Master Commandant Oliver Hazard Perry's victory in the War of 1812's Battle of Lake Erie. The battle occurred September 10, 1813; and ensured that both Ohio and Michigan would remain under the control of the United States. Six officers killed during the battle—three American and three British—are interred on site.

The memorial offers an observation deck, talks, and musket and carronade firing demonstrations. Talks are offered between mid-June and August, and the demonstrations take place on weekends.

Governors Island National Monument [NY]

Description

The Governors Island National Monument presents the history of Governors Island, New York. The island started as a colonial outpost in 1776, and last served as an U.S. Army and Coast Guard regional administrative center until 1996.

The monument offers 90-minute guided walking tours, children's programs, lectures, living history events, and Junior Ranger activities. Visitors are welcome to bring picnic lunches. The website offers Web Ranger activities.

Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site [CO]

Description

Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site consists of a reconstructed 1840s fur trade post. The structures are made of adobe, and the fort sits along the Santa Fe Trail. Built in 1833, the fort soon became central to the activities of the Bent, St.Vrain Company, particularly the trade with the Southern Cheyenne and Arapaho peoples for buffalo robes. In 1846, during the Mexican-American War, Colonel Stephen Watts Kearny used the fort to assemble his troops. Trade at the post involved U.S. citizens, Native Americans, and Mexicans.

The site offers a 20-minute introductory film, self-guided tours, tours led by costumed interpreters, demonstrations, school tours and demonstrations, living history encampments which qualify for continuing education credit, a traveling trunk, children's encampments, and Junior Ranger activities. The website offers video podcasts of trade demonstrations, a narrated virtual tour, a video presentation of the experiences of Lewis Garrard (1846-1847) at Bent's Old Fort, and lesson plans.

Vietnam Veterans National Memorial [DC]

Description

The Vietnam Veterans National Memorial offers a place for reflection and personal interaction with the memory of military personnel killed in the Vietnam War. Designed by artist and architect Maya Lin (born 1959) as a minimalist sculpture with a highly reflective surface, viewing the monument requires visitors to confront both themselves and the names of the fallen simultaneously. U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War spanned 1950 (the arrival of U.S. military advisors in Vietnam) through 1973.

The site presents the memorial only.

Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site [AL]

Description

The Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site is located on Tuskegee University. Sights include the George W. Carver (circa 1864-1943) Museum and The Oaks, Booker T. Washington's (1856-1915) home. Other figures honored include Dr. Frederick W. Patterson (1901-1988), founder of the United Negro College Fund, and Dr. Robert Moton, who stressed the need for health care for African American veterans. Carver is known for his support of the peanut as an alternative to the southern cotton crop, which had been ravaged by the boll weevil. Washington founded the Tuskegee Normal School for Colored Teachers, later the Tuskegee Institute, to provide education to African American students. Due to the strength of the aeronautical engineering program at the institute, the site was selected by the military to train African American pilots for World War II.

The site offers exhibits, interpretive programs, 30-minute introductory films on George Washington Carver and Booker T. Washington, guided tours of The Oaks, period rooms, tours of the historic Tuskegee University, and 2-hour curriculum-based programs. Reservations are required for curriculum-based programs. The Oaks is not fully wheelchair accessible. Films can be played with captions.

Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site [MS]

Description

The Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site commemorates the site of the battle of Brices Cross Roads in 1863. Although the battle was a resounding Confederate victory, the battle hurt the Confederacy in the long run, as it allowed General Sherman uninterrupted supplies for his campaign in Georgia.

The park offers exhibits in the visitor center located several miles from the park, along with a self-guided tour and interpretive signs at the battlefield. The website offers visitor information and a brief history of the battlefield.

Andersonville National Historic Site [GA]

Description

The Andersonville National Historic Site has a three-fold mission—namely, operation of the National Prisoner of War Museum; care of the Andersonville National Cemetery; and preservation of Camp Sumter, also known as Andersonville prison. Camp Sumter was among the largest Civil War prisons established by the Confederacy, and housed more than 32,000 Union soldiers in 1864. At that time, more than 100 men died on an average day in the camp. The National Prisoner of War Museum honors the U.S. men and women who have suffered as prisoners of war. The Andersonville National Cemetery originally served as the burial grounds of Union soldiers who died in Camp Sumter. Today, the cemetery is an active site for veteran burials.

The site offers a curriculum-based educational program for students, educational resource packages for rental, a 3-mile self-guided hike with a questionnaire, Junior Ranger activities, exhibits, and a summer camp. The educational program focuses on the prison at Camp Sumter; and meets Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama educational standards. The educational program must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance.

Cowpens National Battlefield [SC]

Description

The Cowpens National Battlefield commemorates the battle of Cowpens, which was fought between American and British soldiers in 1781 on grazing grounds in northwest South Carolina. The battle is notable for its result as a resounding American victory. Today, the battlefield is open to visitors and has been preserved in much the same state as during the battle.

The battlefield offers guided tours, exhibits and presentations in the visitor center, re-enactments, and demonstrations. The website offers visitor information, a history of the battle, a calendar of events, and resources for teachers.

Fort Davis National Historic Site [TX]

Description

The Fort Davis National Historic Site consists of a surviving frontier Indian Wars fort, used between 1854 and 1891. The soldiers of the fort sought to protect travelers along the San Antonio-El Paso Road and the Chihuahua Trail from Native American attack. The Comanche and Apache peoples proved to be the greatest concern for the fort. Five structures on site have been returned to their 1880s appearances, and are fully furnished. Visitors can also explore 20 other buildings and more than 50 ruins.

The site offers a 15-minute introductory film, period rooms, self-guided tours, one- to three-hour educational programs, costumed interpreters, audio programming, Junior Ranger activities, traveling trunks, hiking trails, and a picnic site. Junior Ranger activity booklets are available in large print and in braille. Reservations are required for school groups. The website offers curricula.