Colonial NHP

Witness America’s Beginnings, from an English colony in 1607 to an independent nation in 1781.

On May 13, 1607, Jamestown was established as the first permanent English settlement in North America. Three cultures came together – European, Virginia Indian and African–to create a new society that would eventually seek independence from Great Britain. On October 19, 1781, American and French troops defeated the British at Yorktown in the last major battle of the American Revolutionary War.

Aug 14, 2019
Made a return visit with the Grand kids in tow. They worked on their Junior Ranger program, and we got to take in allot of the park we had not seen before. We are so proud of Katie and Matty, they earned 6 Junior Ranger badges this summer with us. We hope they will want to continual seeing the parks with us.

Aug 17, 2011
Another park in our back yard, makes it easy to spend a day learning about the history of this great country.

Click here for photos of our visit on Aug 14 2019

NPS webpage

Our 42nd NPS Unit

                                                           

Fort Monroe NM

"Freedom's Fortress"

Fort Monroe National Monument has a diverse history spanning the American story from American Indian presence, Captain John Smith's journeys, first arrival of enslaved Africans in English North America, a safe haven for freedom seekers during the American Civil War, and a bastion of defense for the Chesapeake Bay through the 21st Century. Visit and witness the on-going preservation work in action.

Aug 10, 2019

We had the opportunity to revisit with Grand kids. They really enjoyed exploring the Fort and working on there 5th Junior Ranger badge. We enjoy seeing the fun they are having, learning about our Country. 

Jan 6, 2012

A new park and in our backyard. Great Museum and Fort. Taking in the Casement Museum Added to new  pages of history we did not know about in the Hampton Roads area.

Click here for photos of our visit on Aug 10 2019

NPS webpage

Our 67th NPS Unit

Valley Forge NHP

Determined to Persevere

Valley Forge is the encampment site of the Continental Army during the winter of 1777-1778. The park features 3,500 acres of monuments, meadows, and woodlands commemorating the sacrifices and perseverance of the Revolutionary War generation and honoring the power of people to pull together and overcome adversity during extraordinary times.

Aug 7, 2019
This was a revisit; we were last here 1 July 1995 so much has changed including how we explore parks now. This visit started out at the Temporary Visitors Center. We had the grandkids in tow, so they picked up their Junior Ranger books, and we took in the movie. We headed out on the park loop road and made all the stops so the grand kids could find the answers they need for their books. After taking in all the sites we went back and the grand kids finished up their books and received their 4th badge, well done kids. We plan on a return visit to take in the new Visitors Center when it reopens.

Click here for photos of our visit on Aug 7 2019

NPS Website

Our 16th NPS Unit

Hopewell Furnace NHS

How American Industrialization Began.

Hopewell Furnace showcases an early American landscape of industrial operations from 1771-1883, Hopewell and other "iron plantations" laid the foundation for the transformation of the United States into an industrial giant for the time. The park's 848 acres and historic structures illustrate the business, technology and lifestyle of our growing nation.

Aug 6, 2019
Another park that's off the beaten path but well worth it to make the trip. Started at the Visitor Center with a movie and the grandkids picking up the Junior Ranger books. We headed out to explore and got to take in an actual charcoal making demonstration. They only build the pile for making the charcoal once a year, so we had good timing on this visit. After learning all about the charcoal making process, we explored the rest of the park while the grand kids worked on their books. Really enjoyed the barn and all the farm animal's that greeted us. Once done exploring we headed back to the Visitors Center were the grand kids finished the books and got their 3rd Junior Ranger badge. It's great to see them get excited and want to learn about the parks.

Click here for photos of our visit

NPS Website

Our 140th NPS Unit

Roger Williams NMEM

Liberty of Conscience

Roger Williams National Memorial commemorates the life of the founder of Rhode Island and a champion of the ideal of religious freedom. Williams, banished from Massachusetts for his beliefs, founded Providence in 1636. This colony served as a refuge where all could come to worship as their conscience dictated without interference from the state.

Aug 3, 2019
A return visit with the Grand kids. They completed their 2nd Junior Ranger Program and we all enjoyed taking in this small park.

April 6, 2013

A small park dedicated to a man that had the conviction to follow his beliefs. He laid down one of the cornerstones of our Bill of Rights, Religious Freedom.  

Click here for photos of our visit on Aug 3 2019

NPS Website

Our 85th NPS Unit