Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park [TX]

Description

The Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park is located at Lyndon Johnson's final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. The park chronicles the entire life of Johnson, starting with his ancestors and going through his presidency and life after presidency.

The park offers guided tours, traveling trunks, a traveling chuckwagon for a more in-depth experience, field trip programs, and frequent guest speakers. The website offers visitor information, information regarding all educational programs offered, a brief biography of Johnson, and a history of the park. In order to contact the website via email, use the "contact us" link located on the left side of the webpage.

Appomattox Court House National Historical Park [VA] Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 01/08/2008 - 13:36
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.

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park [KY]

Description

The 20,000-acre Cumberland Gap National Historical Park preserves the site of the original "gateway to the west" used by settlers and pioneers. Native American populations had used this gap to cross the mountains for centuries prior to the arrival of European Americans. However, Daniel Boone (1734-1820) opened the Wilderness Road through Cumberland Gap to these settlers in 1775. Sites of historical note include a historical iron furnace, the 1904 Hensley Settlement, and fortifications dating to the Civil War.

The park offers two introductory films, interactive exhibits, an educational activity area for children, Appalachian craft demonstrations, two-hour cave tours, three-and-a-half- or four-hour settlement tours, Junior Ranger activities, and picnic sites. Please note that if you are interested in the cave tour, the National Park Service requests that you do not wear clothing that you have worn to another cave. This is an effort to avoid spreading White-Nose Syndrome, a condition which has caused the death of countless bats. Even if you personally fear or dislike these creatures, please remember that they are an important part of their (and our) ecosystems.

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.

Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Site [KY]

Description

The site focuses on Lincoln's life in Kentucky. The Birthplace Unit demonstrates his humble beginnings with a symbolic birth cabin enshrined within a neo-classic Memorial Building. The Boyhood Home Unit at Knob Creek Farm was home to Lincoln during his formative years. Events in Kentucky helped mold a young boy into the man who became the nation's 16th President.

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

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.

President's Park (White House) [DC]

Description

President's Park contains the White House, home to every U.S. president except George Washington, and the surrounding area. The park visitor center is the hub of the park activities. Permanent exhibits within the visitor center address symbolism, First Families, celebrations and ceremonies, the work which takes place in the White House, and the White House's architecture and interiors. In addition to the White House, the park contains the First Division Monument, General William T. Sherman Monument, District Patentees Memorial, Boy Scout Memorial, Second Division Memorial, Butt-Millet Fountain, Haupt Fountains, Bullfinch Gatehouses, and Zero Milestone, as well as memorial statues of select Revolutionary War heroes.

The park offers a 30-minute introductory video, exhibits, a children's activity area, Junior Ranger activities, self-guided White House tours, educational programs for students, and an Underground Railroad traveling trunk. White House tour requests must be submitted through one's Member of Congress, and can be requested up to six months in advance. Please see the website for details. Tours are only permitted for groups of 10 or more.

Hot Springs National Park [AR]

Description

The Hot Springs National Park preserves the history surrounding Hot Springs, Arkansas. The area has been a destination for individuals of all classes seeking relaxation and revitalization of health for more than 200 years. Sights include the historic Fordyce Bathhouse, in operation between 1915 and 1962, and the springs themselves.

The park offers a 15-minute introductory film, guided tours, guided tours for students, self-guided tours, traveling trunks, Junior Ranger activities, scenic mountain roads, a 9-minute film depicting the traditional bath routine, the opportunity to take a bath in the hot springs, 26 miles of trails, and picnic sites. The NPS warns that many sites in the area claim to be the Hot Springs National Park but are not. When hiking, visitors are asked to remain on the trails. Group tours require at least two weeks advance notice. Architectural models are available for visually impaired visitors. An American Sign Language interpreter can be on site for tours if requested at the time tour reservations are made. The website offers lesson plans.