Fort Richardson State Park, Historic Site, and Lost Creek Reservoir State Trailway [TX]

Description

Fort Richardson was established in November 1867 and was named in honor of General Israel B. Richardson, who died in the Battle of Antietam during the Civil War. The fort was the northernmost of a line of Federal Forts established after the Civil War. The soldiers arrived in Jacksboro in 1866 with orders to establish a fort at Buffalo Springs, 20 miles north of Jacksboro. Due to unhealthy conditions at Buffalo Springs and the constant Indian raids, the fort was abandoned. The soldiers returned to Jacksboro and eventually received orders to establish a fort on the South Bank of Lost Creek. Expeditions sent from Fort Richardson arrested Indians responsible for the Warren Wagon Train Massacre in 1871 and fought Comanches in Palo Duro Canyon. The Fort was abandoned in May 1878.

The site offers exhibits, tours, and occasional recreational and educational events (including living history events).

Fort Mifflin [PA]

Description

In 1778, General George Washington ordered Fort Mifflin, built in 1777, to hold off the British Navy while the Continental Army traveled to its encampment site at Valley Forge. While the Continental soldiers were eventually forced to abandon the fort, Washington and his troops were able to reach their destination thanks to the soldiers' efforts. Since, the fort has served as a War of 1812 garrison, Civil War prison, and a munitions depot for both World Wars. Today, the fort contains 14 restored structures, the originals of which were built between 1778 and 1815.

The fort offers tours; weapons demonstrations; cannon firings; overnight Scout programs; and educational programs on the U.S. flag, the Revolutionary War, and the Civil War.

Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial [PA]

Description

The Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial consists of the home of the Polish head engineer of the United States' Continental Army, Thaddeus Kosciuszko (1746-1817). The majority of the house is dedicated to exhibits concerning Kosciuzko's life and career. However, one room has been furnished in period style. Visitors to the home during Kosciuzko's life included Benjamin Rush, Thomas Jefferson, and Chief Little Turtle; and in his will, Kosciuszko asked that his property in the United States be sold to purchase the freedom and education of slaves.

The memorial offers an eight-minute introductory audio-visual program, exhibits, a period room traveling trunks, and Junior Ranger activities.

Colonial National Historical Park [VA]

Description

The Colonial National Historical Park commemorates English Colonial and Revolutionary War–era America, beginning on the swampy marshes of Jamestown in 1607 and ended on the battle–scarred landscape of Yorktown in 1781. Although the primary draw is colonial history, the park spans the timelines from pre-colonization through Colonial Virginia, from the end of English Colonial America through the American Revolutionary War, and from America’s Independence to the Civil War.

The park offers introductory films; exhibits; guided tours; self-guided tours; tours by costumed interpreters; Junior Ranger activities; seasonal hands–on activities; seasonal costumed interpreters for specific educational programming; pot making in the "pinch pot" style of the local Native Americans; non–firing artillery and glass–blowing demonstrations; a Revolutionary War themed traveling trunk; and ranger-guided educational programming specifically for students, designed to meet state educational standards. The website provides lesson plans relevant to historic Jamestown and Yorktown.

Fort Washington Park [MD]

Description

Fort Washington was originally built in 1809, but was destroyed by its own garrison only five years later. It was rebuilt in 1824 to serve as the only defense for the nation’s capital until the Civil War–when a circle of temporary forts was built around the city. Prior to World War I, Fort Washington was downgraded to harbor defense; and the large guns were removed. During the war, the post was used as a staging area for troops being sent to France.

The park offers artillery demonstrations.

Carter House Museum and Historical Site [TN]

Description

Designed and built under the supervision of Fountain Branch Carter in 1830, this house was occupied successively by three generations of his family. The Carter House commemorates the tragic Civil War Battle of Franklin, said to have been one of the bloodiest in the 19th century. The Confederates suffered 6,606 casualties. Of the Union forces, 2,326 soldiers were killed. The Carter House was the command post of Major General Jacob D. Cox, Federal field commander of Schofield's delaying action. It became the center of some of the heaviest fighting, and by the morning of December 1, 1864, it had been ravaged by bullets and parts of its roof splintered by cannon. East and south of the house some 13 charges were made by Confederate soldiers. The greatest loss of general officers in the war occurred in this battle on December 1. Nearby, Captain Theodoric Carter, C.S.A., scion of the Carter family, was mortally wounded, and died in the house on December 2.

A second website for the site can be found here.

The house offers a short film, exhibits, tours, educational programs, and occasional recreational and educational events (including living history events).

Bushy Run Battlefield [PA]

Description

Colonel Henry Bouquet and a force of approximately 400 British soldiers left Carlisle in July to relieve the besieged Fort Pitt and end a series of unchecked attacks against frontier outposts. The opening of western Pennsylvania to settlement was the result of a decisive victory over the Native Americans at the Battle of Bushy Run, August 5th and 6th, 1763.

The site offers exhibits, tours, educational programs, and occasional recreational and educational events (including living history events).

Fort Churchill State Historic Park [NV]

Description

Fort Churchill was once an active U.S. Army fort. Built in 1861 to provide protection for early settlers, it was abandoned nine years later, and today the ruins are preserved in a state of arrested decay. A visitor center displays information and artifacts of the fort's history. The Pony Express and the Overland Telegraph once passed through this area. Nearby is Buckland Station, a Pony Express stop, supply center, and a former hotel built in 1870.

The site offers exhibits.

Fort Frederick State Park [MD]

Description

The site of Maryland's frontier defense during the French and Indian War (1754–1763), the Fort's stone wall and two barracks have been restored to their 1758 appearance. Historic displays are in the Fort, barracks, and Visitor Center. The park annually holds military reenactments and other special events.

The park offers a short film, exhibits, tours, and living history demonstrations and events.

Sidney Lanier Cottage House Museum

Description

The Sidney Lanier Cottage House Museum is the birthplace of noted poet, musician, and soldier Sidney Lanier (1842–1881). Among the objects on view at the Cottage are one of Sidney Lanier's flutes (a silver, alto flute made by the Badger Flute Company), Mary Day's wedding dress of 1867, and several portraits and first editions.

The museum offers exhibits and tours (include tours specifically designed for schoolchildren).