Pea Ridge National Military Park [AR]

Description

The 4,200-acre Pea Ridge National Military Park commemorates the March 7 and 8, 1862, Civil War Battle of Pea Ridge. The battle ended in a decisive Union victory. The site is considered to be the most intact Civil War battlefield in the country. Confederate generals included Earl van Dorn, Sterling Price, Benjamin McCulloch, James McIntosh, and Albert Pike; while the Union generals were Samuel Ryan Curtis, Franz Sigel, and Alexander Asboth.

The park offers a 28-minute film, traditional and wayside exhibits, a 7-mile tour road, a 9-mile horse trail, a 7-mile hiking trail, demonstrations, self-guided school tours, guided school tours, Junior Ranger activities, and Scout programs. Reservations are required for school visits. The website offers historic photographs, artwork depicting the battle, and soldier letter and diary excerpts.

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park [WV]

Description

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park presents living history interpretations of past area events and daily life. Harpers Ferry events include the 1859 John Brown's Raid, constant Civil War action, the Niagara Movement's second conference, military industrialization, and the convergence of two railroads and the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal circa 1835.

The park offers exhibits, trails, guided tours, self-guided tours, self-guided educational hikes and scavenger hunts, guided educational programs which meet state educational standards, educator workshops, Junior Ranger activities, and picnic areas. The website offers historic photographs, curricula, and a lesson plan.

Minuteman Missile National Historic Site [SD]

Description

Minuteman Missile National Historic Site presents the rise of the threat of nuclear war. The site includes the living quarters, security control center, and Launch Conrol Cener of Delta-01; and an actual Minute Man II training missle at Launch Facility Delta-09. Topics covered include the Cold War (1940s-1990s), national security, and nuclear missiles. Collections include more than 4500 artifacts.

The site offers a 10-minute introductory film; exhibits; guided tours ranging from 15 minutes to 90 minutes of Delta-01 and 09, Delta-01, or Delta-09; a self-guided self phone tour of Delta-09; outreach PowerPoint presentations; Junior Ranger activities; and distance learning programs. Reservations must be made two weeks in advance for class visits. The website offers historic photographs and lesson plans.

Fort Laramie National Historic Site [WY]

Description

The Fort Laramie National Historic Site commemorates Fort Laramie. Originally constructed in 1841 as a privately owned fur trade fort, the settlement was known as Fort John. It acquired its new name in 1849, after the U.S. Army purchased the outpost in order to protect travelers on the Oregon Trail from the local Native American populations. The United States and the Plains Indians honored the Treaty of 1851, which demanded peace from both parties, for only three years. During the 1860s, fort soldiers were primarily concerned with maintaining nearby telegraph wires. Collections include 19th-century frontier artifacts.

The fort offers an 18-minute introductory film, exhibits, Junior Ranger activities, and an audio tour for rental. The audio tour includes narration, readings from primary source documents, and soundscapes. The website offers a virtual tour.

De Soto National Memorial [FL] Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 01/08/2008 - 13:36
Description

The De Soto National Memorial commemorates Spaniard Hernando de Soto's (circa 1496-1542) 1539 arrival at Tampa Bay. Following the landing, de Soto and his men encountered, and in some cases fought, local Native American groups over the course of four years. Collections include historic arms and armor. Between December and April, the site offers re-enactments and demonstrations at Camp Uzita.

The park offers a 22-minute introductory film, exhibits, helmets and armor for guests to try on, guided walking tours, nature trails with interpretive signage and wayside exhibits, 40-minute outreach presentations, Junior Ranger activities, Junior Ranger camps, and a picnic area. The website offers a suggested reading list.

Cabrillo National Monument [CA]

Description

Cabrillo National Monument marks the place that Rodriguez Cabrillo first set foot on the west coast of North America, becoming the first man of European descent to see the Pacific Ocean from what is now the United States. The monument is located on Point Lomus, and is home to a statue and visitor center, both of which provide information about Cabrillo and the old Point Lomus Lighthouse.

The monument offers field trip programs, interpretive activities, ranger-led tours, and exhibits. The website offers visitor information, historical information regarding the monument, and information regarding all of the programs offered by the monument. In order to contact the national monument via email, use the "contact us" link located on the left side of the webpage.

Appomattox Court House National Historical Park [VA]

Description

The Appomattox Court House National Historical Park commemorates the official surrender of the Confederate Army, through General Robert E. Lee, to the Union, in the personage of General Ulysses S. Grant, in 1865. This event marked the end of the Civil War. The 1,700-acre site includes 17 original buildings, a visitor's center, and a reconstruction of the McLean House, within which the surrender took place. The McLean house is furnished to period, and includes surrounding structures accessible to the public—a kitchen, outhouse, and slave quarters. Collection highlights include the pencil which General Lee used to correct the terms of surrender.

The park offers McLean House tours, living history programs, exhibits, two 15-minute slide presentations, and a professional development workshop for educators. The website offers information on renting the park introductory films; a teacher packet including basic historical background, study questions, and activities; and lesson plans in accordance with state educational standards.

Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park [VA]

Description

The Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park commemorates the greatest loss of life of the Civil War. Between the battles of Spotsylvania (May 8, 1864), Fredericksburg (December 13, 1862), Chancellorsville (May 1-5, 1863), and the Wilderness (May 5-6, 1846), 15,000 men were killed and 85,000 wounded. Major sites include Chatham Manor, Union headquarters and hospital during the Battle of Fredericksburg; the Fredericksburg National Cemetery; the Fredericksburg Confederate Cemetery; Salem Church, Union and Confederate hospital during the Battle of Chancellorsville; the site of Stonewall Jackson's (born 1824), famed Confederate general, death in 1863; and the circa 1790 Ellwood manor, Confederate hospital during the Battle of Chancellorsville and Union hospital during the Battle of the Wilderness.

The park offers a 22-minute introductory film, exhibits, a self-guided driving tour, walking trails, 35- or 45-minute guided walking tours, traveling trunks, traveling canvas floor maps, and Junior Ranger activities. Reservations are required for school groups. The website offers virtual battlefield tours, historic photographs, suggested reading, and lesson plans.

Vicksburg National Military Park [MS]

Description

The Vicksburg National Military Park commemorates the campaign, siege, and defense of Vicksburg. The fort surrendered on July 4, 1863, and, coupled with the fall of Port Hudson in Louisiana, gave control of the Mississippi River to the north. The park now contains a National Cemetery, restored Union Gunboat, and a visitor center.

The park offers guided tours, ranger-led activities, field trip programs, exhibits, an orientation film, and interpretive events. The website offers visitor information, a detailed history of the park and siege, an online exhibit, and a curriculum guide for teachers. In order to contact the site via email, use the "contact us" link located on the left side of the webapge.

Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument [MT]

Description

This site commemorates the 1876 Battle of Little Bighorn, during which the Lakota and Cheyenne made one of their final military efforts to defend their respective cultures. Lieutenant Colonel George A. Custer and 262 other U.S. Army men died on the site, making this the site of the famed "Custer's Last Stand." The grounds include a national cemetery in which the federal dead of the battle are interred. As of the 1990s, the site commemorates the fallen Lakota and Cheyenne as well.

The monument offers an exhibit, a film, guided bus tours led by Native Americans, talks, a self-guided five-mile walking tour, outdoor activities, Junior Ranger activities, and research library access. Research library access is by appointment only. The talks and film are offered Memorial Day through August.