November 2010

Milton Hershey School began as a dream and vision shared by chocolate magnate Milton S. Hershey and his wife, Catherine (Kitty). Unable to have children of their own, Milton and Catherine Hershey decided to use their wealth to create a home and a school for orphaned boys. On November 15, 1909, together they signed the Deed of Trust establishing the Hershey Industrial School (renamed Milton Hershey School in 1951).

The following year, the first four boys were enrolled and began to live and attend classes in The Homestead, the birthplace of Milton Hershey. From these humble beginnings, the School grew. In 1918, three years after Mrs. Hershey died, Milton gave his entire personal fortune to the School. Mr. Hershey lived to see the School expand its campus and its enrollment. He continued to be involved in the School's operations until his death on October 13, 1945. He has been quoted as having said, "The School was Kitty's idea. If we had helped a hundred children it would have all been worthwhile."

Although Constitution Square Historic Site is one of the smallest state parks, it looms large in the history of Kentucky. On June 1, 1792, Kentucky became the fifteenth state of the Union when delegates of the Kentucky statehood convention adopted the commonwealth’s constitution. This historic event took place in Danville, Kentucky at a place now known as Constitution Square. This three-acre site became part of the state parks system on October 15, 1937. Emma Weisiger donated the land for the park in memory of her brother John G. Weisiger and named it the John G. Weisiger State Park.

The Hershey Story guides visitors on a journey through Milton Hershey's lifetime and beyond, a tale spanning more than 150 years of trials and triumphs, philanthropic endeavors and one man's unwavering confidence. From Hershey's earliest entrepreneurial ventures to his visions of a town built around the attributes of the humble cacao bean, The Hershey Story is an uplifting celebration of the great American dream.

Warm and welcoming, this immersive museum environment accommodates visitors of all ages. Attractions include the Museum Experience, a series of engaging exhibits; the Chocolate Lab, a place where learning comes alive through hands-on experiments; the Museum Shop, stocked with unique Hershey merchandise and memorabilia; Café Zooka, the perfect place for light fare, chocolatey desserts, Chocolate Tasting; and much more.

The Doak House Museum is a non-profit, educational institution, established as a museum in 1975. It is a part of the Dept. of Museum Program and Studies of Tusculum College. Historic Tusculum College is the oldest college in the state of Tennessee, the 23rd oldest in operation in the country and the oldest co-educational college related to the Presbyterian Church(USA). The museum uses its collections and resources to promote the study and research of history, education, religion, and cultural heritage of the people of Northeast Tennessee and the state.

Prayer, singing, and preaching occur in the Meeting House, a place of worship for many congregations and religious groups who come as welcome guests each year. Since the late 18th century and now, in the 21st century, worship services, weddings, celebrations, lectures, and other gatherings have taken place in the church and on its grounds. Each year thousands of travelers visiting Cane Ridge receive talks and tours from the curators.

The graveyard, burial site of many of the early settlers and Barton Stone, has unique ledger stones. Barton Warren Stone is buried beneath a white granite obelisk. His first wife Eliza's remains and ledger stone were brought from the graveyard at the farm where they had lived to the Cane Ridge graveyard in about 1930. The museum houses mementoes of the congregation, Stone and his family, the Stone-Campbell movement, a collection of antique farm and domestic implements, the office of the Cane Ridge Preservation Projects and a small book shop.

The society runs an oral history program, in which it records testimonies from long time residents of their memories of Hershey and surrounding regions. Other projects run by the DTHS include extensive geneology files, cemetaries, historical sites, and preservation.

Daniel Boone (1734-1820), known for his role in the exploring and settling of the Kentucky frontier decided that the settlement of Boonesborough had become far too crowded. In December 1779, Boone and his family established Boone’s Station. At its height, the community had 15 to 20 families, including the Boone, Barrow, Hays, Morgan, Muir, Scholl and, Stinson families.

Daniel Boone and his family endured many hardships while living at Boone's Station. Both his son Israel, and nephew Thomas Boone were killed at the Battle of Blue Licks in 1781. By 1781, Boone’s claim to Boone Station proved to be invalid. He and other members of the settlement continued to live there for a brief period. However, by 1791 Boone Station had ceased to exist. In 1795, Robert Frank purchased 500 acres that included the Station site.

Today, visitors can walk along a one mile self-guided trail that explores the life and times of Daniel Boone.

Davy Crockett's Birthplace has been preserved by the State of Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation as an historic site within the state park system. The site consists of 105 partially wooded acres of land along the Nolichucky River in Greene County, Tennessee.

The museum at the park contains exhibits which tell of the different aspects of the life of Davy Crockett. Visitors can learn a lot about Crockett the hunter, the politician, the businessman and the legendary hero as portrayed in the Walt Disney movie of the 1950's. A short video about Davy Crockett can be viewed in the museum during business hours. In addition to the museum, a cabin replica is a short walking distance from the museum. The cabin depicts a typical frontier cabin much like the one in which Davy Crockett was born in 1786. Located in front of the cabin is the engraved footstone to the original cabin. After visiting the museum and cabin, the visitor can look for his or her own home states' natural stone incorporated in the Crockett monument wall.

The 213 acres of forested and grassy areas that comprise Bushy Run Battlefield, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, can be viewed as one large historical entity. The events that transpired here in August 1763, during Pontiac's War, forever set Bushy Run apart as a place of historical significance. The battle near Bushy Run and the events of Pontiac's War leading to the battle add to the understanding of the Indian-European culture clash, which is an important theme in American history. The battle also has a place in the broader study of American settlement and expansion, and possesses great significance in the realm of British, American and Indian military history.

Located on what is known as "The Rooftop of the World," this center tells the story of the Inupiat people--a group that has survived in one of the harshest climates in the world.

The Iñupiat Heritage Center was designed to serve as an inspirational facility to promote and protect Iñupiaq culture, history, and language through exhibits, classes, performances, and educational activities. Commerical and subsistance whaling has long been a tradition of the Inupiat culture. The center is affiliated with the New Bedford Whaling National Historic Park in New Bedford, Massachusetts and ensures the acknowledgement of the Alaskan people to the culture and industry of whaling. The center offers an exciting and engaging trip.