Castillo de San Marcos National Monument [FL]

Description

The Castillo de San Marcos National Monument contains the original Castillo de San Marcos, a fortification built by the Spanish to defend their position in America. It is the only remaining 17th-century fort in North America. The star-shaped "bastion system" of the architecture was an adaptation to cannon warfare. The monument presents the story of several groups involved in the fort's history, including the Timucuan, the Seminole, the Apache, Spaniards, African Americans, Englishmen, Frenchmen, Minorcans, and U.S. citizens. Interpreters in period dress discuss life in the fort.

The monument offers a 25-minute introductory film, exhibits, self-guided fortification tours, interpretive talks, re-enactors, weaponry demonstrations, Junior Ranger programs, and a green suitable for picnics. The upper gun deck is not wheelchair accessible. Tour brochures are available in English, Spanish, German, Japanese, French, Italian, Dutch, and Russian. The website offers historical photographs, vocabulary, a map study, and other educational materials.

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park [GA]

Description

The Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park commemorates the Civil War Battle of Kennesaw, fought between June 19th and July second, 1864, which initiated the Atlanta Campaign. More than 67,000 men were killed, wounded, or captured during this two week period. Exhibits address the military, communication, civilian, and medical aspects of the Atlanta Campaign. This campaign, which took place in the summer of 1864, ended with the fall of Atlanta to Union troops.

The park offers an 18-minute introductory film, exhibits, Junior Ranger activities, guided walks, talks, guided and self-guided educational programs for students, traveling trunks, 18 miles of interpretive trails, and picnic sites. Sign language interpreters are available with at least 24 hours advance notice. School groups must make reservations at least two weeks in advance.

Pipe Spring National Monument [AZ]

Description

The Pipe Spring National Monument recounts the history of the American West, commemorating the American Indians and Mormon pioneers of Arizona. The grounds consist of the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians Visitor Center and Museum, an 1872 Mormon fort, historic buildings, farm animals, an orchard, garden, and ½ mile trail.

Group tours led by park rangers are available for school groups. Ranger talks and demonstrations on Indian crafts and pioneer lifestyles are also available at different times of the year.

Sitka National Historical Park [AK]

Description

The 113-acre Sitka National Historical Park commemorates the 1804 Battle of Sitka, the last major clash between the Tlingit and Russians. The site offers information on Tlingit culture, the Russian legacy within the United States, the battle, and the local environment. Key sights include a visitor's center and the 1843 Russian Bishop's House, one of a handful of remaining Russian colonial structures. Collections consist of more than 154,000 artifacts.

The park offers a 12-minute introductory film, exhibits, period rooms, demonstrations, Junior Ranger activities, beach exploration packs, curriculum-based education programs, and outreach programs. During the summer, ranger-led programs are also offered. The Russian Bishop's House is not wheelchair accessible. Visitors unable to enter the home can view an audiovisual program. The website offers historic photographs, an electronic field trip, a virtual tours of the Russian Bishop's House and totem pole trail, a teacher's guide, a salmon coloring book, interactive wildlife activities, a salmon jigsaw puzzle, and Web Ranger activities.

Fort Larned National Historic Site [KS]

Description

The Fort Larned National Historic Site presents nine restored structures, including barracks, squad room, commissary, food stores, school house, and mess hall. The circa 1859 fort once offered protection to travelers along the Santa Fe Trail and maintained relations with the Plains Indians, as one of several Indian Agencies.

The site offers an introductory slide presentation, exhibits, and a research library. The site is only partially wheelchair accessible. The website offers a lesson plan.

Morristown National Historical Park [NJ]

Description

The Morristown National Historical Park preserves the site where the Continental Army wintered in 1777 and during the Hard Winter of 1779-1780. Key sights include the Washington's Headquarters Museum; the 1772 Ford Mansion, headquarters of George Washington; the Jockey Hollow Visitor Center; the historic Wick House; and the 1777 Fort Nonsense Hill. Fort Nonsense was built as a fortified site for retreat should the British force the Continental soldiers from their position. It was never used, leading to its current name.

The park offers a 20-minute introductory film, a 10-minute introductory film, exhibits, period rooms, guided tours of Ford Mansion, self-guided tours of the Wick House, self-guided tours of Fort Nonsense Hill, a fourth and fifth grade curriculum-based program, Junior Ranger activities, outdoor activities, a tour road with wayside exhibits, and research library access. Accessibility is limited at the Ford Mansion. Reservations are required for groups of 10 or more wishing to tour Ford Mansion, as well as for all educational programs. An application is required for library use. The website offers a virtual tour of the Ford Mansion.

Antietam National Battlefield [MD]

Description

The Antietam National Battlefield preserves the site of the September 17, 1862 Battle of Antietam. This battle effectively halted the Confederate Army's first invasion of the North, and prompted the issuance of a preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. It is best known for being the United States' single-largest military loss of life in one day. The Pry House Field Hospital Museum is located on the battlefield grounds. This museum presents Civil War medicine and the history of the house itself, which served as Union General George B. McClellan's temporary headquarters.

The battlefield offers a 26-minute introductory film, a one-hour documentary, exhibits, talks, guided walks, eight curriculum-based programs, a self-guided 8.5 mile auto tour, guided auto tours, Junior Ranger activities, hiking trails, and outdoor activities. Reservations are required for guided auto tours. The website offers a scavenger hunt for use on site, historic images, a video on the artillery used at the Battle of Antietam, teacher's guides, a primary resource packet, and worksheets.

Horseshoe Bend National Military Park [AL]

Description

The 2,040-acre Horseshoe Bend National Military Park preserves the site of the single battle with the highest cost in Native American lives. The Battle of Horseshoe Bend occurred in 1814 when General Andrew Jackson and his men attacked the Upper Creek Red Sticks, who were outnumbered by more than three to one.

The park offers a 22-minute introductory film, exhibits, Junior Ranger activities, 20-minute musket demonstrations for students, 2-hour guided battlefield tours for students, a three-mile road for auto tours, a 2.8 mile hiking trail, and picnic areas. Reservations are required for field trip groups. The website offers historic films and suggested reading.

George Rogers Clark National Historical Park [IN]

Description

The George Rogers Clark National Historical Park commemorates the surrender of British forces at Fort Sackville to Colonel George Rogers Clark on February 25, 1779. The events of that day cemented U.S. ownership of the frontier, nearly doubling the size of the country. The site provides information on 18th-century pioneer life, Fort Sackville, Clark's campaign, area cultures of the period, and the Northwest Territory. A memorial to Clark exists within park grounds.

The park offers a 30-minute introductory film, six-minute audio program within the memorial, costumed living history programs, Junior Ranger activities, and a picnic area. Group reservations are appreciated. Living history programs can often be made available for groups with advance notice.

The George Rogers Clark Memorial is currently closed for restoration.

Aleutian World War II National Historic Area [AK]

Description

The Aleutian World War II National Historic Area commemorates the oft-forgotten Aleutian campaign of World War II as well as the horrific internment of many Aleut people by both Japanese and American forces. The park is located on the remains of the historic Fort Schwatka, the coastal defense of Dutch Harbor.

The park offers exhibits in the visitor center and guided tours of the park. The website offers visitor information, a history of the park, and a calendar of events. In order to contact the website via email, use the "contact us" link located on the left side of the webpage.