November 2010

South Mountain, a ridge composed largely of resistant quartzite, posed a formidable obstacle to the early settlers until 1755 when General Edward Braddock and a young surveyor, George Washington, constructed a road over one of its passes. Greenbrier, Washington Monument and Gathland are neighboring state parks along South Mountain.

The Battle of South Mountain (which was actually two separate battles), broke out on September 14 in the Fox's Gap and Turner's Gap areas after Confederate gunners opened fire on Federal forces moving toward the base of the mountain. Confederate General Samuel Garland and Federal General Jesse Reno both received mortal wounds during the heavy fighting near Fox's Gap. Here too, future presidents Rutherford B. Hayes and William McKinley participated in the battle.

Patriotism during the Civil War was deep-rooted, and over 600,000 enlisted men and officers would die in pursuit of two opposing dreams.

The Vicksburg battlefield includes 1,330 monuments and markers, a 16 mile tour road, a restored Union gunboat, and a National Cemetery.

Vicksburg National Cemetery encompasses 117.85 acres and includes over 18,000 interments. Graves of Civil War soldiers total 17,077, of which 12,909 are unknown.

An additional 1,280 graves are occupied by soldiers who participated in the Indian Wars, Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II, and the Korean Conflict.

Preserved by mud and silt, Cairo—a Union ironclad gunboat—was sunk and sat on the bottom of the Yazoo River for 102 years. It was raised in 1964, and later restored. The ironclad is now on display within Vicksburg National Military Park.

Also, throughout the summer, Vicksburg National Military Park will present Living History programs and demonstrations.

Established in 1970 and moved to its current location in 1975, the Calvert Marine Museum dedicates itself to the culture as well as natural history of Southern Maryland. Exhibits describe the history of those who have lived on the Chesapeake Bay and Patuxent River from the colonial period to the present. The museum's collection of War of 1812 artifacts is particularly engaging, as they tell the story of the hopeless fight that Commodore Joshua Barney, a retired Revolutionary War hero, waged against the more heavily armed British in the waters of the Chesapeake. In addition to viewing exhibits, visitors can stroll the boat basin and marsh walk, or see a woodcarving and model boat shop.

The main building itself at this 290-acre site is a three-story, five-bay manor house dates back to 1730. It was decorated with hand painted Chinese wallpaper and period antiques of the British Isles. The site was a successful tobacco plantation, and it contains the northernmost still standing tobacco prize house. There is also a kitchen, boxwood garden, and plenty of nature trails.

Cowpens National Battlefield is a Revolutionary War battle site that commemorates the victory of Brigadier General Daniel Morgan over his dreaded foe, Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton, in the cause for American Independence. It was an important link in a chain of events that ultimately led to the defeat and surrender of the British commander Lord Earl Cornwallis at Yorktown, Virginia, in October 1781. The classic military tactic used at Cowpens was called the double envelopment and was one of only a few uses of this method in history. The Visitor Center Museum contains a 3-pounder cannon, other weapons of the Revolutionary War period, and exhibits. The partially paved 1.2 mile trail includes wayside exhibits, the 1856 Washington Light Infantry Monument and the historic Green River Road that was the centerline of the battle.

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 former hotel built in 1870. Facilities at Fort Churchill State Historic Park include trails, a campground, picnic area, group-use area and access to the Carson River. Visitors can enjoy hiking, historic and environmental education, camping, picnicking, photography and canoeing.

Little League Baseball grew from small beginnings in Williamsport in 1939 to being played in over 100 countries today. Visitors can explore the history through a series of interactive exhibits that include pitching, swinging, and running the bases. Another notable attraction is the Hall of Excellence, showcasing former little leaguers like George W. Bush and Bruce Springsteen.

The last regularly-scheduled New York Central passenger train stopped in 1958. Subsequently the outer two tracks of the four-track "Water Level Route" were removed, and the entrances to the tunnel passage serving the southbound platform were boarded over. After the station was purchased by the Hudson Valley Railroad Society in 1975, a great deal of repair work to the windows, doors, and roof needed to be done. The new revamped station looks better than ever. Inside the station, visitors will find displays depicting the area's railroading past, running models trains, and knowledgable railroad enthusiasts who can answer questions about the great "Iron Horse".

The Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site was established as a monument to an era rather than a tribute to any one person or family. The estate illustrates a way of life modeled on the English country house and is only unusual today because so few examples survive in the 21st century. More than a place to discuss the lifestyles of the rich and famous, the park offers a window into the philosophy of the American country house, the lives of its domestic staff, and its relationship to the surrounding community. In addition to a tour of the house, you should stroll on the 211 acres of park land that boast centuries old tree plantings, stunning Hudson River and Catskill Mountain views and Italian Gardens maintained by the volunteers of the Frederick William Vanderbilt Garden Association. This is a two hour experience.

Constitution Gardens is a living legacy to the founding of the republic as well as an oasis in the midst of a city landscape. The 50 acres of the park were originally beneath the Potomac River. A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dredging project at the turn of century created the land that became Potomac Park.

Beginning in World War I, the navy maintained "temporary" office buildings on this site. Nicknamed "Tempos," these structures remained until the 1970s. President Richard M. Nixon, shocked that the buildings he had served in as a naval officer were still marring the landscape when he entered the White House, began lobbying for their removal. When the Navy finally withdrew from the buildings, they were demolished in 1971. President Nixon ordered that a park be built on the land, leading to the creation of Constitution Gardens.

The Gardens were dedicated in May of 1976 as a living legacy American Revolution Bicentennial tribute. In July of 1982, the 56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence Memorial was dedicated on the small island in the lake.