13 minute read
HISTORICAL ATTRACTIONS MUSEUMS
Lexington, Massachusetts
An unforgettable journey awaits your clients in Lexington and Concord, as they relive history on a tour they will never forget. They will sit back and relax, while one of our professional costumed step-on guides transports them back in time to April 19, 1775.
First, they will learn about the notable sites and historic houses around Lexington Battle Green, where “the first blood was spilt in the dispute with Great Britain, ” as George Washington wrote in his diary. In that short skirmish, 77 militia faced 700 British Regulars. Eight colonists lost their lives and 10 were wounded. Two British soldiers were also injured. After the battle, Samuel Adams exclaimed to John Hancock, “What a glorious morning for America!” So it began. . .
The tour continues east on the Battle Road through Minuteman National Historical Park, as you trace the steps of the British as they marched toward Concord. You will stop at Paul Revere’s Capture Site, or another notable site inside the park. It is up to you.
Before arriving in Concord, guests will take a brief “detour” into the 1800s, passing through the neighborhood where American literary giants Louisa May Alcott, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Henry David Thoreau all lived. The trip culminates at the Old North Bridge, a truly majestic site where your guests will learn about the Battle of Concord – a much more successful effort for the colonists. Finally, on the way back to Lexington, your guide will continue to paint a vivid picture of what the long march back to Boston must have been like for the British.
The private, customizable charter tours and step-on guides are available seven days per week throughout the year. To book a step-on guide and custom tour contact Casey Hagerty, tourism coordinator for the Town of Lexington, at (781) 698-4568. You can also e-mail at chagerty@lexingtonma.gov. All tours depart from the Lexington Visitors Center, 1875 Massachusetts Avenue in Lexington, Massachusetts, in the heart of Lexington Center. Dedicated bus parking, ample restrooms and an expansive gift shop are offered.
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Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
Simi Valley, California
Situated on a mountaintop with fabulous views of the surrounding mountains, valleys and the Pacific Ocean, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, which opened in November 1991, is one of the country’s most picturesque destinations.
The library is the largest of 13 federallyoperated presidential libraries. Perhaps the most popular exhibit is Air Force One, the aircraft personally used by the president. Visitors can step aboard the same presidential aircraft that took Ronald Reagan all over the world. This flying White House, tail number 27000, served seven U.S. presidents from 1973 to 2001.
The Oval Office today is a symbol of the American presidency, and its re-creation here gives visitors a moment to ponder the power and responsibilities of the president. This room is a full-sized reproduction of the Oval Office as it appeared during Ronald Reagan’s presidency.
At the Reagan Library, touch a piece of history when you place your hand on a 9foot tall piece of The Berlin Wall. Marvel at the beautiful graffiti Berlin residents on the West side – or free side – placed on the wall, while reflecting on the stark grey concrete East side – or the side where residents were not free.
Through February 27, 2021, tour through FBI: From Al Capone to Al Qaeda, an exhibition which shares the storied career of the FBI through the use of over 300 artifacts and FBI interviews. From April 2 through October 9, 2022, tour through The Secrets of WWII, a never-before-seen exhibition highlighting some of the formerly Top Secret and recently declassified materials and stories related to the largest war ever to be fought on the planet.
Free on-site parking is available, with special bus stalls set aside, and the bus driver and an escort are comped. Groups of any size can be accommodated, but tour guides (docents) are available only for groups of 15 or more. All groups 20 persons or larger must make a reservation. Groups must also use one form of payment for the entire group, but payment may be made at the time of the visit.
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MAKE HISTORY ON A BUS TOUR!
Sit back, relax, and allow our costumed step-on guides to transport your guests back in time to April 19, 1775. You’ll explore the notable sites and historic houses around Lexington Battle Green, Minuteman National Park and the Old North Bridge in Concord. Or, create your own custom itinerary! Tours available seven days per week. All tours depart from the Lexington Visitors Center;
1875 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE, LEXINGTON
ENJOY:
To book a step-on guide and custom tour contact: Casey Hagerty, Tourism Coordinator 781-698-4568 or email at chagerty@lexingtonma.gov. • Dedicated Bus Parking • Restrooms • Gi Shop
AdamStephenHouse Martinsburg-BerkeleyCounty
Martinsburg-Berkeley County CVB
West Virginia
Shoppers and history enthusiasts find hours of entertainment in Martinsburg, Berkeley County, West Virginia. The rich history of the area links to events from before the Revolutionary War through the Civil War. Martinsburg is surrounded by historical sites and provides the perfect picturesque downtown for hub and spoke tours or good oldfashioned shopping sprees.
It is time to park the bus and let tour passengers explore. The peaceful and delightful town of Martinsburg has great finds at every turn. With innumerable shopping opportunities, the quaint Norman Rockwellesque downtown is sure to charm visitors. The store windows shine with artisan décor, unique finds, spa-worthy luxuries and antiques only available in such a historic place. Word to
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One of California’s most beautiful and unique destinations!
For information on The Secrets of WWII and other special exhibits, please visit ReaganLibrary.com
Tour Through Air Force One 27000 View a Full Scale Replica of the Oval Office Touch an Authentic Piece of the Berlin Wall
The Reagan Library follows all CDC COVID health guidelines and cleaning procedures. 40 Presidential Drive • Simi Valley, CA 93065 • ReaganLibrary.com
the wise: pack an empty suitcase to carry all the new treasures one will find at the downtown shops.
Are you feeling peckish after shopping? Groups find a selection of tasty eats at Martinsburg’s locally-owned restaurants. Choose between world cuisines or go straight to dessert. Visits to DeFluri’s Fine Chocolates and Everything Cheesecake will satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth.
For more eclectic shopping and eateries, groups head 15 minutes east to Shepherdstown, the oldest town in West Virginia. Groups visiting Shepherdstown find the only thing more alive than the local arts scene is hospitality.
It is easy to make a group tour historical in Berkeley County. Historic sites like Morgan Cabin – the home of West Virginia’s first white settlers, the General Adam Stephen House and The George Washington Heritage Trail pull history from the past and into today. Groups can even see George Washington’s outdoor bathtub in nearby Berkeley Springs. There is an ample amount of Civil War sites, as well. Groups can visit the Martinsburg B&O Roundhouse to see the place once destroyed by Stonewall Jackson’s troops in 1861. Men, of course, are not the only participants in the war. Check out the Berkeley County Museum, located in the home of Confederate spy Belle Boyd at the aptly named Belle Boyd House.
These opportunities and more wait for motorcoach tours in Berkeley County. For information, visit travelwv.com or phone (304) 264-8801.
GET TO THE HEART OF IT
travelwv.com 304.264.8801
Steubenville, Ohio
History, archaeology, genealogy – the past is present in Steubenville, one of Ohio’s oldest cities. Known as the City of Murals, 25 largerthan-life paintings on buildings throughout the city reflect the area and America’s growth. Well-known figures such as Abraham Lincoln and Steubenville native son Dean Martin share the fame with less familiar personalities such as “Sloopy” and Fleetwood Walker. Knowl-
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edgeable and entertaining step-on guides are available to tell the stories behind each of the murals.
Early American frontier life can be experienced at Historic Fort Steuben, a completely reconstructed fort built on the original site overlooking the Ohio River. Adjacent to the fort is the First Federal Land Office west of the Alleghenies – built in 1801 as an early American home office. Copies of genealogy records of early settlers are on file here. An on-going archaeology dig is on- site with historical displays in the Fort Steuben Visitor Center. Find old fashioned games and toys as well as historical books and souvenirs at the Museum Shop. As part of the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, the Visitor Center includes an exhibit on the Corps of Discovery.
The stained-glass windows and architecture of Steubenville’s Historic Downtown Churches are a source of wonder while a visit to the Antique Warehouse offers a huge selection of antiques and memorabilia. Tour the elegant Jefferson County Historical Association Mansion Museum with its Dean Martin exhibit, Presidents Room and Riverboat display.
Just 20 minutes from the city is the Quaker village of Historic Mount Pleasant, an important site of the Underground Railroad in the 19th century and on the National Register of Historic Places. After touring the village, enjoy locally produced wine at Black Sheep Vineyard or one of The Farm Restaurant’s specialty desserts.
A tour can be customized to meet the expectations of your travelers. Excellent lodging options and a variety of dining experiences make an overnight stay in Steubenville a unique travel experience.
George Bush Presidential Library and Museum
West College Station, Texas
The George Bush Presidential Library and Museum is looking forward to welcoming you. Admission tickets for the museum need to be purchased in advance on the library’s Web site at bush41.org.
The Bush Library and Museum cares for more than 44 million pages of official documents and donated collections from George H.W. Bush’s presidency and throughout his public career, as well as more than 60,000 artifacts and an extensive audiovisual collection. Many of these papers and artifacts are on display in the museum. While telling the story of the 41st president, the museum covers several aspects of U.S. and world history for the past 100 years.
For the newest focus exhibit, the Bush Library and Museum partnered with Texas A&M to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Texas Sea Grant College Program. Texas Sea Grant: 50 Years of Science and Stewardship explores the rich history of the Texas coast and how the Sea Grant program has supported the shoreland and its people through cutting-edge research and innovative outreach and education. From maintaining healthy coastal ecosystems to aiding sustainable fisheries to promoting resilient communities, Texas Sea Grant has helped Texans protect and enhance the unique and vital resources of Texas’ coastal marine environ-
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ments. The Texas Sea Grant exhibit will be on display in the Ansary Gallery of American History through July 5, 2022.
Additionally, the Bush Library and Museum is proud to feature Oceans of Plastic, a strangely beautiful collection of art made from plastic waste acquired from beaches along the Texas Gulf Coast. Artist and beachcomber Shelia Rogers began collecting discarded plastic and then transformed it into vibrant works of art to bring awareness to the true impact of plastics on our wildlife and marine ecosystems.
A third exhibit, George Bush: An Environmental President outlines the almost 30 environmental initiatives and legislation that President signed during his administration. Visitors will hear President Bush’s thoughts on the environment in his own words, and they will discover a selection of environmental-related artifacts from the collections of the Bush Library and Museum.
These temporary exhibits will be on display until July 5, 2022. For more information or to purchase your tickets, visit bush41.org.
Bradford House
Washington, Pennsylvania
It was rare to have a stone house in frontier America late in the 18th century. The Bradford House in Washington, Pennsylvania is such an example. Built in 1788 by David Bradford, a prominent lawyer in southwestern Pennsylvania, it played an important role in the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794. This house is the oldest structure in Washington and one of the oldest in western Pennsylvania. It is the centerpiece of a rich local history that a group of loyal and dedicated citizens actively works to preserve.
After going through many changes in ownership and usage over the decades, the house was acquired by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission in 1959 and underwent an extensive restoration. It is now a valuable and historical jewel. The house was formally dedicated as a museum in ceremonies held in the garden of the Bradford House in 1965. You are invited to enjoy a tour of the house and the garden leading to the recently constructed log kitchen. Tours can be built to accommodate your specific needs. The Bradford House is available for guided tours seven days a week except major holidays. There are several restaurants that can accommodate groups within walking distance. The Bradford House works with local restaurants, hotels and attractions to create the best possible experience for your group. In addition, a new Whiskey Rebellion Education and Visitor Center opened in May 2021, directly across the street from the museum. The center accommodates the needs of our physically-challenged visitors with fully accessible exhibit space and an accessible restroom. The addition of the educational center shares the important story of
the Whiskey Rebellion and how it helped shape American history through hands-on activities and displays, including a historic timeline, period exhibits and 18th century tavern bar and distilling displays.
To schedule a tour of both sites, contact the Executive Director Tracie Liberatore, at bradfordhouse@verizon.net or (724 ) 222-3604. q
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