Saturday, August 24, 2013

Richmond NBP




                      
On to Richmond!” 

The Focal Point of the Civil War The center of Confederate manufacturing fueled a modern war, one of the South’s largest hospitals gave care to the sick and wounded, and armies battled on open fields and in miles of defensive earthworks. From 1861 to 1865, Richmond’s fate would determine America’s future. 

24 Aug 2013

Today we headed up to the Northern and city sites of Richmond NBP first stopping at the Cold Harbor VC, this area was the area of two major battles. The Gains Mill area was the site of the battle during the Seven Days Battles of 62 and Cold Harbor was the site of a battle during the Overland Campaign of 64. The VC has a great show on the battles of the area. After driving the loop around Cold Harbor, we made a stop at Maggie L Walker NHS. we have done a page on the site. After a lunch we headed over to Tredegar Iron Works. Two great movies can be seen at the VC. This is a large area with much to see. We elected to just see the NP portion and put the other museums on a return list as these were fee required. On to the last VC of Richmond NBP - Chimborazo Hospital. A small VC telling the story of field medicine and hospital care of the wounded during the war. What was amazing is that more died from non-battlefield injuries. Dysentery was so common that 162% got it during the war. This was a great park to take in and visit. If going plan on 2 days as this park is spread out and there is much to see.

7 Aug 2013 
This park has many units and today we spent exploring the southern units of the park with a visit to Glendale/Malvern hill. Both of these sites were battle sites of the 1862 Seven Days Battles. We then went over to Fort Brady built by the Union to prevent Confederate gun boats from moving down river and threatening Grant's supply system coming up the James River. After that it was a short drive to the Forts of Hoke, Harrison, Johnson and Gilmer. These Forts were used by the Confederate forces to defend Richmond. Fort Harrison was taken by the union during the Overland Campaign of 1864. Much more remains to be seen at the park, and we will take them in at a later time.


Our 36th NPS Unit















































Union Artillery Line at Malvern Hill 
 
          Molly learning the history of Union Cannons

 

Parsonage at Malvern Hill 
Union Defense's at Malvern Hill
  
Fort Brady Earthworks

Fort Brady Earthworks











Earthworks Fort Hoke




Fort Harrison / Fort Burnham Earthworks












               























   

                                                         




 

Maggie L Walker NHS

                                                                       

Determined Spirit


Maggie Lena Walker devoted her life to civil rights advancement, economic empowerment, and educational opportunities for Jim Crow-era African Americans and women. As a bank president, newspaper editor, and fraternal leader, Walker served as an inspiration of pride and progress. Today, Walker’s home is preserved as a tribute to her enduring legacy of vision, courage, and determination.

Aug 24, 2013
Our list of WOW parks is not that large, and we did not expect to be adding this park to that list, we were so wrong. The list of her accomplishments is nothing short of amazing and adding the barriers she had to break down, she set a high standard for those following her. The home was handed down through the family and is still furnished with her personal possessions. We had a great ranger led tour of the home. This should be a must stop for today's generation of kids.

NPS Website

Our 88th NPS Unit
















Elevator 

Friday, June 28, 2013

Paterson Great Falls NHP


A Revolutionary Idea

Cotton and silk fabrics; steam locomotives; continuous rolls of paper; airplane engines. What do these things have in common? They were all manufactured in the same place - Paterson, NJ.

In 1792, Paterson was established, America's first planned industrial city, centered around the Great Falls of the Passaic River. From humble mills rose industries that changed the face of the United States. 

June 28, 2013
A nice hidden gem in Northern New Jersey. There had been lots of rain here so the falls were really flowing. This is one of the newest parks and there is no Park service Visitor Center yet but a stop at the Paterson Museum sums up the history here nicely. A lunch at Liddys across the street is well worth it. 

NPS Website

Our 87th NPS Unit




The Falls 
The Falls

The Falls
The power plant still in operation 











Alexander Hamilton



Sunday, May 12, 2013

Adam's NHP

"Oh my sweet little farm..."


From the sweet little farm at the foot of Penn’s Hill to the gentleman’s country estate at Peace field, Adams National Historical Park is the story of “heroes, statesman, philosophers … and learned women” whose ideas and actions helped to transform thirteen disparate colonies into one united nation.
May 12, 2013
A nice day of learning about 2 Men who were so influential in shaping a young Nation. There number of years of public service is amazing. The new film at the Visitor Center sets the scene before you head out on the tour of the homes. A bit of interesting history -- John Adam's and Thomas Jefferson both died on the same day, July 4th, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the birth of the Country. A must see while in the Boston area.


Our 86th NPS Unit
John Adam's Birth home

Johm Quincy Adam's Birth home 

The Library at Peace Field


The Old House at Peace Field


Grounds at Peace Field

 

 



Sunday, February 10, 2013

Fort Frederica NM

Centuries old conflict decided on St. Simons Island.


Georgia's fate was decided in 1742 when Spanish and British forces clashed on St. Simons Island. Fort Frederica's troops defeated the Spanish, ensuring Georgia's future as a British colony. Today, the archeological remnants of Frederica are protected by the National Park Service.
Feb 10, 2013
This small Fort was a key part of our history. It was the line in the sand between the Spanish and British. Who knows we may have been fighting the Spaniards for Independence if the British had not held back the Spanish during the Battle of Bloody Marsh. Not much remains of the outbuildings and homes, but from the foundations you get a good sense of the size and layout of the town.

NPS Website

Our 84th NPS Unit











The old Fort


Fort ruins



Home foundation ruins

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Fredericksburg & spotsylvania NMP



America's Battleground:

Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Wilderness, and Spotsylvania, this is America's battleground, where the Civil War roared to its bloody climax. No place more vividly reflects the War's tragic cost in all its forms. A town bombarded and looted. Farms large and small ruined. Refugees by the thousands forced into the countryside. More than 85,000 men wounded; 15,000 killed--most in graves unknown.

Dec 11, 2012

We spent the day exploring the Fredericksburg Battlefield sites. Today was the 150th anniversary of the start of the battle of Fredericksburg. After visiting the Visitor Center at Fredericksburg, we headed over to Chatham Manor to take in a park Ranger lead tour. They had a cannon firing demonstration then a walk down to the river and a discussion on the events that took place that day, we took in the rest of the Fredericksburg sites and called it a day. We still have to see the Battlefields of Chancellorsville, Wilderness, and Spotsylvania so this site will go on our return list.

Sept 11, 1994
Took in some of the Battlefields of Fredericksburg

NPS webpage

Our 15th NPS Unit




                            

Chatham Manor


View of Fredericksburg from Chatham Manor

Union Encampment


Waiting to cross the river

Rounds down range


Pontoons used to cross the river