November 2010

From birding, to camping, to fishing, to learning about the rich history of Cape Lookout Light Station -- there is something for everyone. Take a boat trip three miles off-shore to the islands of Cape Lookout National Seashore. Here visitors can enjoy remote beaches, watch wild horses and other wildlife, or visit one of the historic districts. Be sure to bring a picnic lunch for the day. Going camping takes a little more planning.

The name Amana means to "remain faithful". It has, in many ways, remained faithful to the communal culture; historical buildings have been preserved; the Amana Church remains active; the traditions of quality products are alive in the Colonies. You will not see discount stores or chain restaurants; you will not see large retailers. Even the convenience store was built to respect the architectural traditions of the Colonies.

What will you see in the Amana Colonies? Historical buildings dating to the mid-1850's, made of local materials...wood, sandstone, locally fired brick and limestone. You will discover an amalgamation of architectural styles, coupling traditional German craftsmanship and the straight lines and details of Colonial America.

The battle is commemorated annually during the last full weekend in February. The event features living history encampments, weapons demonstrations, colonial and military music and a wreath laying ceremony.

Various programs, including talks, walks, colonial music and demonstrations are held on summer weekends. Guided tours for educational groups, military groups, and other groups are available with an advanced reservation by calling the park at (910) 283-5591.

The NYS museum offers approximately 12 new exhibitions each year on a wide range of subjects. Exhibitions are often developed with the museum's extensive collections or traveled from renowned museums across the country. Research at the New York State Museum is as exciting as it is varied, with more than 35 scientists and historians actively directing projects in biology, anthropology, geology, and history. Research by staff represents one tangible way in which information about the natural and cultural history of New York, and the world, is made available to visitors. Researchers throughout the world use the collections of the New York state museum to address questions about New York's natural and human heritage.

The collections represent baseline data that help resource managers make decisions that have a direct impact on the economic and public well-being of the state, locations of natural resources, assessments of environmental impacts, historic preservation, development and impacts of disease, and environmental changes. Additionally, the collections are an integral element of the Museum's exhibitions and public programs.

Rangers or volunteers at the information desk are glad to help visitors with answers and assistance. Primary facilities in the visitor center are a thirty-two minute live-action theater film, "Another Such Victory"; a ten-minute animated Battle Map Program explaining the tactics of the battle; and colorful museum exhibits combining informative text with original artifacts and weaponry. A twenty-minute tactile Battle Map program is available to any sight-impaired visitor. Also in the visitor center is a bookstore (operated by Eastern National) offering visitors over 600 publications and theme-related items for sale on the battle and the Revolutionary War. A narrated automobile tour of the battlefield on CD is also available for sale. Bookstore hours are the same as the visitor center.

South of Burley near City of Rocks National Reserve, this town was founded by Mormon immigrants in 1878. Today it is on the National Register of Historic Places due to the outstanding collection of old stone and brick buildings in the area, which date back to 1883. Oakley stone, an Idaho quartzite, is quarried near here.

Traveling up the Cub River from the Bear River and over into Bear Lake valley you will find the historical Shoshone Indian Trail. The Shoshone Indians traveled this route from their winter grounds to Bear Lake and into Wyoming Territory for hunting and fishing. The Pony Express and early pioneers used this same trail as the first route into the Bear Lake Valley from Cache Valley. The trail is passible by foot, risky by horse, and viewable by ATV, snowmobile, or ATV.

On December 20, 1951, EBR-1 (Experimental Breeder Reactor 1) became the first power plant to produce useful electricity through atomic energy. EBR-1 operated from 1951 until 1964. In 1966, it was dedicated as a Registered National Historic Landmark. Both guided and self-guided tours educate visitors about this former nuclear power plant, as well as about current research and development at the U.S. Department of Energy's Idaho National Laboratory. EBR-1 was awarded a Save America's Treasures Grant by the Department of Interior. Funds from the grant have been used to install new, interactive displays in EBR-1. In addition to the displays at EBR-1, the Museum of Idaho in Idaho Falls received interactive displays through the program to tell the history of the Lab. The new displays were installed in May of 2005.

The museum center houses the reception center; the Museum Archives and Library; a lecture/exhibit hall with changing exhibits; storage areas for the museum's object collections; offices; and workshops. In the lobby visitors will find an exhibit about the founder of the museum, Sharlot M. Hall.

Fort Union was established in 1851 as the guardian of the Santa Fe Trail. During its forty-year history, three different forts were constructed close together. The third Fort Union was the largest in the American Southwest, and functioned as a military garrison, territorial arsenal, and military supply depot for the southwest. The largest visible network of Santa Fe Trail ruts can be seen here.

During the summer, scheduled interpretive talks, guided tours, and living history programs are offered. Commercial and school groups numbering ten or more, interested in a formal guided tour, may make advance reservations. A 1.6 mile, self-guided interpretive trail enables visitors to tour the ruins. Visitors may opt to do a shorter .5 mile self guided tour. Allow approximately two hours for visit.