Byways Mystic Seaport

Featuring North America’s Leading Travel Destinations

Mystic Seaport, A Quintessential New England Experience North America’s Leading Group Tour Destinations Ohio Links Visitors to the Past and Future

Watch or order our video. Email Dawn or call 845-463-5444.

Click on sites below for group tour info.

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Watch or order our video. Email Dawn or call 845-463-5444.

Click on sites below for group tour info.

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Walkway y Over the Hudson:

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There is a place where the road is one with nature, and travelers are relaxed and inspired. Where scenery and sightseeing and history and heritage blend into unforgettable multi-day excursions.

We call this Rocky Mountain oasis Colorado Springs. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll call it the journey of a lifetime. Let us help you create amazing itineraries at 800.888.4748, ext. 129.

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Find your adventure at VisitCOS.com/tours

WHERE GROUPS DROP ANCHOR FOR A

GREAT DAY. Got a big group? So do we...of ways to entertain groups. Like raising the sails of a tall ship.

Cruising the Mystic River. Exploring a 19th-century seafaring village. And enjoying our galleries, exhibits, planetarium, shopping, and delicious food. Come for a few hours, or a full day. To make your group reservations, call 860.572.5322.

A window to our past...

A doorway to our future.

From our wagon rides and country cookin nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; to a guided adventure through our award-winning museums, our farm and village will make memories to last a lifetime hl b h l fd b

Use your smartphone for more information.

304-522-1244 | www.heritagefarmmuseum.com | 3 miles oďŹ&#x20AC; I-64 in Huntington

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of new adventures in Nebraska. You can experience river tanking, sample fine wine, and then sleep in at a bed and breakfast. So what are you waiting for?

Nebraska Department of Economic Developmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Division of Travel and Tourism

Byways â&#x20AC;˘ 3

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elcome to the latest issue of Byways magazine. In this issue we reveal our latest findings on the leading group tour destinations of the new year, plus we visit a significant museum which honors the nation’s heritage of sailing and the sea.

This year the Nation’s Capital, Washington, DC, leads the projections as the top group tour destination for 2012. It’s no surprise, as Washington has traditionally been at or near the top of the surveys we’ve conducted for nearly 30 years. And no wonder, with Washington’s Monuments also heading the category of the leading Man-Made Attractions in North America.

But Washington offers something that few other destinations can match: an unlimited supply of free admission at sites which every student in the country has studied as part of their American History education before ever arriving in the Capital. Who would not want to visit?

Finishing a strong second to Washington is New York City, the city that never sleeps. With top attractions like the Statue of Liberty, Broadway and Radio City Music Hall, it’s no wonder New York is always near the top of these annual surveys.

Rounding out the top five group tour destinations are Branson, MO, Nashville, TN and Niagara Falls, NY & ON. The results of the survey begin on page 20.

The cover story features Mystic Seaport in Connecticut, a premier New England destination for

PREVIEW

By Steve Kirchner, Editor & Publisher

more than 50 years. Located on the Mystic River, Mystic Seaport is a monument to our seafaring past.

Today, Mystic Seaport is the nation’s leading maritime museum. What began as a small assemblage of marine artifacts in 1929 has evolved into the largest collection of artifacts and watercraft in the country.

The Charles W. Morgan, the whaling ship which is the

An Amish meeting in Ohio

crown jewel of the Mystic Seaport collection, is featured on the cover.

Also in the spotlight is the rich history of Ohio, a state that links the past and the future with its contributions in shaping our diverse country. A place called Chillicothe served as Ohio’s first capital city, and here visitors can enjoy a step back in history enjoying its wealth of artifacts and historic sites.

Traveling further to the west is a stunning new national history museum in Utah.

Located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains overlooking Salt Lake City, the Utah National History Museum sets new standards for exhibition and multi-media presentations for the 21st Century.

In What’s Happening, the spectacular Chateaus of Delaware’s du Pont family are celebrated, as well as Hershey, PA, America’s Sweetest Town, a place where there is fun and chocolate for everyone.

The Chicago Lighhouse. Chicago is one of the top Enjoy this latest issue of Byways. group tour destinations in the North America.

4 • Byways

Find your

adventure

There is a place where the road is one with nature, and travelers are relaxed and inspired. Where scenery and sightseeing and history and heritage blend into unforgettable multi-day excursions.

We call this Rocky Mountain oasis Colorado Springs. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll call it the journey of a lifetime. Let us help you create amazing itineraries at 800.888.4748, ext. 129.

Find your adventure at VisitCOS.com/tours

Byways â&#x20AC;˘ 5

6 • Byways

Tour Shasta Dam

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Stroll the Sundial Bridge

Free Parking, Free Internet, Fresh Air, Open Roads and Hassel Free.

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Mount Shasta

Byways â&#x20AC;˘ 7

Southern Kitchen

Home Cooking Since 1955

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Steaks • Seafood • Chicken • Breakfast 540-740-3514 9576 S. Congress Street Open 7 Days a Week 7 am - 9 pm Come by and meet your hosts, Randy & Rebecca Newland

8 • Byways

Volume 28, Issue No. 6, 2011

Features

On the cover. The Charles W. Morgan, the crown jewel of the Mystic Seaport collection, is docked on the Mystic River in Connecticut at America’s premier Maritime Museum. See story page 12.

Mystic Seaport, A Quintessential New England Experience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 The Charles W. Morgan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Dining at Mystic Seaport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 North America’s Top 50 Group Tour Destinations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Ohio Links Visitors to the Past and Future . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 History Abounds in Chillicothe, Ohio’s First Capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Utah’s Stunning New Natural History Museum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

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Byways Instant Connect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Byways Preview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Advertisers Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Free Byways Subscription . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

What’s Happening

The Chateaus of the du Ponts of Delaware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 America’s Sweetest Town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Coming in future issues of Byways… Riding the Rails, The Southern States, Colonial Williamsburg, favorite Ocean destinations, Rivers and Lakes, and The Old West are some of the highlights of upcoming issues of Byways magazine.

Right: Today’s travelers meet those from the past at the Colonai Williamsburg Foundation.

Below: Riding the Rails on the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad.

Byways • 9

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12 • Byways

Mystic Seaport, A Quintessential New England Experience

Byways â&#x20AC;˘ 13

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premier New England vacation destination for over 50 years, the success of Mystic Seaport is that it is many things to many people. Ask three visitors what it is and chances are you’ll get three very different answers. To some, it’s a fun family destination, full of exciting attractions. To others, it’s a serious maritime museum and galleries. And to still others, it’s an incredibly valuable education and research center.

In fact, it’s all three – located within 19 charming acres on the banks of Connecticut’s legendary Mystic River. A quintessential New England experience, Mystic Seaport offers visitors of all ages a unique link to our seafaring past and endless, year-round opportunities to immerse themselves in new worlds of hands-on history.

Founded in 1929, Mystic Seaport is the nation’s leading maritime museum. What began as a small assemblage of marine artifacts has evolved into the largest collection of artifacts and watercraft in the country.

The state-of-the-art Collections Research Center houses more than two million examples of maritime art, artifacts, tools, buildings, imprints and other documents, including photographs, 1,000 ships registers, 600 audiotaped oral history interviews, 200 videotaped interviews and 1.5 million feet of historic and contemporary mar14 • Byways

itime-related footage. The watercraft collection has more than 500 vessels of all shapes and sizes, from the 1841 whaleship Charles W. Morgan – a national Historic Landmark and America’s oldest merchant vessel still in existence – to diminutive skiffs and dories.

The Museum leverages this vast collection to present the story of America and the sea in a compelling and real way. The galleries brim with permanent and changing exhibits that offer rare glimpses into other eras and cultures, including the acclaimed Voyages: Stories of America and the Sea, restored vessels, figureheads, ship carvings and vintage photography.

Coming in spring, 2012 will be a new exhibit, Treasures of the Collections, a selection of the best and rarest artifacts at the Museum – many of which are generally not available for public viewing.

However, what makes Mystic Seaport such a great destination is what happens outside those galleries. The vision is to bring history alive for the visitor and the heart of that experience is the re-created 19th-century seafaring village. The village has dozens of real New England buildings staffed with historians, musicians, storytellers and craftspeople who bring our seafaring past to life, from shipsmiths, coopers, woodcarvers and chanteymen.

Look beyond the buildings to the waterfront and you will see an unparalleled collection of historic vessels in the water and on shore. Large vessels such as the Joseph Conrad, a full-rigged 1882 training ship and the L.A. Dunton, the last-surviving example of the famous Gloucester fishing schooners are open to board and explore, while others can be viewed or even rented seasonally should you feel like going for a sail or row. The steamboat Sabino, the oldest coalfired steamboat in the country, runs cruises on the Mystic River from Memorial to Columbus Day. A highlight of any visit is the spectacular 90minute sunset cruise downriver to Fishers Island Sound.

No visit would be complete without a stop at the Henry B. duPont Preservation Shipyard.

Here is where the skills and knowledge shipbuilders past are handed down to the next generation. The work that goes into preserving, restoring, and recreating the Museum’s historic vessels helps keep those skills alive and the visitor is invited to view them close-up. For the

Shopping at Mystic Seaport

next two years, the main project is the complete restoration of the Morgan, a rare opportunity to see big shipbuilding close up.

So, despite one’s personal interests, there is definitely something to see and do at Mystic Seaport. If nothing else, simply enjoy a quiet spell by the Mystic River at one of New England’s prettiest spots.

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16 â&#x20AC;˘ Byways

The Charles W. Morgan

Quentin Snediker, Director of the Henry B. duPont Preservation Shipyard at Mystic Seaport, inspects the framing timbers and planks in the forward hold of the 168 year old Charles W. Morgan, the last surviving whaling ship in the world. Snediker is overseeing a three-year, $5 million restoration of the wooden ship. Hartford Courant Photo by Stephen Dunn.

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The Charles W. Morgan

he crown jewel of the Mystic Seaport collection is the 1841 whaleship Charles W. Morgan, Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest merchant vessel.

The Morgan is currently undergoing a complete restoration with the goal of taking her back to sea for a ceremonial voyage up the Eastern Seaboard in 2014.

Museum shipwrights are painstakingly documenting and evaluating each timber or plank with the goal of retaining as much of the original fabric of the vessel as possible. When they are done, she will be as good as the day she was launched and ready to sail again for the first time in almost 90 years.

During the restoration, she is out of the water, but visitors can go onboard to tour the vessel and see the shipwrights at work.

Byways â&#x20AC;˘ 17

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The steamboat Sabino, the oldest coal-fired steamboat in the country, runs cruises on the Mystic River from Memorial to Columbus Day.

V

Antique boats at Mystic Seaport

Dining at Mystic Seaport

Whether dining on the outdoor patio or inside the main isiting an outdoor history museum can generate dining room, Latitude 41° offers an extensive menu of an appetite. Fortunately, Latitude 41° Restaurant New American cuisine with a focus on fresh, locallysourced ingredients and seafood. & Shipyard Tavern has the answer.

For those wanting more a casual meal, the Shipyard Located right on the Museum grounds, Latitude 41° is Tavern offers tasty burgers, sandwiches and pub fare in about choices and the chance to experience creative New an inviting nautical setting.

American cuisine in the atmosphere that appeals to you the most.

WHERE GROUPS DROP ANCHOR FOR A

GREAT DAY. Got a big group? So do we...of ways to entertain groups. Like raising the sails of a tall ship.

Cruising the Mystic River. Exploring a 19th-century seafaring village. And enjoying our galleries, exhibits, planetarium, shopping, and delicious food. Come for a few hours, or a full day. To make your group reservations, call 860.572.5322.

Byways • 19

North America’s Top 50

I

The Top 30 State Tour Destinations The Top 10 Tour Friendly Hotels The Top 10 Group Friendly Restaurants The Top 5 Natural Attractions The Top 15 Man-Made Attractions

f you’re wondering where tour groups will be traveling throughout 2012, we’ve got the answers. Or at least some of the answers, as Byways is releasing its annual nationwide survey of tour operators and where they think their groups will be going this year.

Remember, this is NOT a random survey, but rather a compilation of information received from tour operators throughout North America who responded to the annual Byways survey.

In 2012, the Nation’s Capital once again takes the top spot in a close race also highlighting a very competitive New York City.

These two cities traditionally battle it out for the top honor in the survey year after year. But in 2012, it’s Washington going to the travel Super Bowl as the nation’s top group tour destination.

And is it any wonder? Not with Washington’s monuments, the Smithsonian Institution, and the White House

continually showing up as the top attractions in the country. And you certainly can’t beat the entrance fee (free) to most of Washington’s major attractions.

Not far behind Washington is New York City. Here again, with the Statue of Liberty, Broadway and Radio City Music Hall in the list of favored attractions, it’s no surprise at all to see The Big Apple at the top of the charts.

Branson, Missouri, the small town that transformed the entertainment business, finished third in this year’s balloting, followed by Nashville, Niagara Falls and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Rounding out the top 10 were Williamsburg, Virginia, Chicago, San Francisco and Mackinac Island, Michigan.

The complete list of the Top 50 Destinations is listed on page 22.

The Cherry Blossoms in Washington, DC frame the Washington Monument.

Photo by Wendy Harman.

20 • Byways

Group Tour Destinations

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Top 5 Natural Attractions

iagara Falls in the U.S. and Canada remains among the top natural attractions in North America.

The Grand Canyon came in second, and California’s Yosemite National Park moved up to third.

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Top 15 Man-Made Attractions

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gain this year Washington, DC’s Monuments topped the list of Man-Made Attractions. Not only are they among the most impressive attractions in the country, the free admission is an attraction in itself.

New York City’s Statue of Liberty came in second, and Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry climbed into the third spot.

New York’s Broadway came in fourth, and South Dakota’s Mount Rushmore rounded out the top five Man-Made Attractions.

Chicago’s Navy Pier on Lake Michigan

The Top 30 States

ith two destinations, Nashville and Pigeon Forge, numbers 4 and 6 in the Top 50, and Memphis making a strong push up to number 25, it’s not surprising that Tennessee is projected to be the most visited group tour state in 2012.

More of a surprise, however, was the rise of Michigan to finish second in this year’s survey. Michigan jumped all the way from tenth place last year to finish just behind Tennessee. It received a strong push from Mackinaw Island at number 10 and Detroit at number 45.

Tennessee and Michigan were followed in order by Illinois and Massachusetts, tied in the third spot, then New York, Virginia, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Florida, Georgia and California rounding out the top 10 states.

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Top 10 Group Tour Friendly Hotels

major change at the top of this category occurred this year, as Holiday Inn Express jumped past both Holiday Inns and Hampton Inns to take the top spot. Best Western International, Hampton Inns and Drury Inns rounded out the top five positions.

San Francisco’s famous Chinatown

Byways • 21

The Top 50 Group Tour Destinations

1. Washington, DC 2. New York, NY 3. Branson, MO 4. Nashville, TN 5. Niagara Falls, NY 6. Pigeon Forge, TN 7. Williamsburg, VA 8. Chicago, IL 9. San Francisco, CA 10. Mackinaw Island, MI 11. Boston, MA 12. Gettysburg, PA 13. Philadelphia, PA 14. Cape Cod, MA 15. Hershey, PA 16. Lancaster, PA 17. Myrtle Beach, SC 18. Las Vegas, NV 19. Charleston, SC 20. Atlanta, GA 21. Orlando, FL 22. San Antonio, TX 23. New Orleans, LA 24. St. Louis, MO 25. Memphis, TN 26. Atlantic City, NJ 27. Asheville, NC 28. Louisville, KY 29. Virginia Beach, VA 30. Los Angeles, CA

Fifes and Drums at Colonial Williamsburg 22 â&#x20AC;˘ Byways

31. San Diego, CA 32. Salt Lake City, UT 33. Seattle, WA 34. Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX 35. Phoenix, AZ 36. Cleveland, OH 37. Denver, CO 38. Colorado Springs, CO 39. Richmond, VA 40. Mississippi Beach, MS 41. Tucson, AZ 42. Albuquerque, NM 43. Montreal, QB 44. Indianapolis, IN 45. Detroit, MI 46. Toronto, ON 47. Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN 48. Quebec City, QB 49. Pittsburgh, PA 50. Portland, OR

Honorable Mention

Alexandria, VA Anchorage, AK Annapolis, MD Austin, TX Boise, ID Kansas City, MO Las Cruces, NM Lexington, KY Little Rock, AR Mobile, AL Ocean City, MD Reno, NV Sacramento, CA Tampa, FL Valley Forge, PA Wheeling, WV

Top 30 States

1. Tennessee 2. Michigan 3. Tie: Illinois Massachusetts 4. New York 5. Virginia 6. Missouri 7. Pennsylvania 8. Florida 9. Georgia 10. California 11. Kentucky 12. Texas 13. Arizona 14. South Dakota 15. North Carolina 16. Vermont 17. Ohio 18. Mississippi 19. Nevada 20. Maryland 21. South Carolina 22. Hawaii 23. New Hampshire 24. New Jersey 25. West Virginia

26. Oregon 27. Wyoming 28. Louisiana 29. New Mexico 30. Tie: Alaska Arkansas Colorado Connecticut Indiana Maine Nebraska Utah Washington

Top 10 Tour Group Friendly Hotels

1. Holiday Inn Express 2. Holiday Inns 3. Best Western 4. Hampton Inns 5. Drury Inns 6. Comfort Inns 7. Doubletree 8. Embassy Suites 9. Radisson Hotels 10. Marriott

A view of the American, Bridal Veil and Horseshoe Falls from the Presidential Suite of the Sheraton Fallsview Hotel, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.

Byways â&#x20AC;˘ 23

Top 5 Natural Attractions

1. Niagara Falls, NY & ON 2. Grand Canyon, AZ 3. Yosemite National Park, CA 4. Black Hills, SD 5. Tie: Cape Cod, MA Yellowstone National Park

The Smithsonian in Washington, DC

Top 15 Man-Made Attractions

1. Washington, DC Monuments 2. Statue of Liberty 3. Grand Ole Opry 4. New York’s Broadway 5. Mount Rushmore 6. Disney World 7. Mount Vernon 8. Six Flags Theme Parks 9. Pennsylvania Dutch Country 10. Universal Studios 11. Radio City Music Hall 12. Elvis Presley’s Graceland 13. Dollywood

The Strip in Branson, Missouri

24 • Byways

14. Silver Dollar City 15. Hershey Park

Honorable Mention

Busch Gardens Theme Parks Henry Ford Musem, MI San Diego Zoo, CA The White House

REDISCOVER THE

TAKE TO THE ROAD AND ENCOUNTER A WORLD

ROAD TRIP.

7JTJU/FCSBTLB HPW r 888-444-1867, Dept. 2BYA

of new adventures in Nebraska. You can experience river tanking, sample fine wine, and then sleep in at a bed and breakfast. So what are you waiting for?

Nebraska Department of Economic Developmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Division of Travel and Tourism

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26 â&#x20AC;˘ Byways

The skyline of Columbus, the capital of Ohio

Ohio Links Visitors to the Past and Future

Byways â&#x20AC;˘ 27

The historic Lorain Lighthouse on Lake Erie in Lorain, Ohio

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio – March 1, 1803 – Governor Ancient allow visitors to see the structures, tools and Tiffin announced today the declaration of statehood for crafts made by these Native Americans.

Ohio. During the Ohio General Assembly meeting, the Native Americans are critical to the history of Ohio, governor produced a document signed by President even to the naming of the state. Ohio is derived from the Jefferson on Feb. 19, 1803 officially giving Ohio its statehood.

Roars of applause were heard from the Congress who had spent the past 29 days drafting the state’s constitution and from the galley who were now proud citizens of the great state of Ohio.

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hio has a rich history dating back thousands of years to a time when mastodons and woolly mammoths roamed the hills and bands of hunters donned bows and arrows in pursuit. While vacationers to Ohio can travel without worry of charging mastodons or slinging bows, formations and features across the state allow them to learn about history from remnants left by these ancient people. Sites such as Serpent Mount and Fort 28 • Byways

The Ohio Statehouse

Iroquois word, “Oheo,” meaning large or beautiful river, which the Iroquois had called the waterway that now forms the southern border of the state, the Ohio River. Today, this heritage can be found at sites across the state. At Fort Recovery, where Native Americans took a victory over General Arthur St. Clair’s troops in 1791, a monument stands to remember the defeat.

Ironically, the Indians suffered a tremendous loss at the nearby Fallen Timbers where a monument also stands.

Ohio’s place in history was solidified when it became known as “The The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland Mother of Presidents,” for being the birthplace or home of eight presidents. hailed from Ohio. Homes and historical sites commemIn fact, in the 53 years between the Reconstruction Era orating these men are located throughout the state. Ohio and the Roaring Twenties, eight of the 10 presidents also houses the National First Ladies’ Library in Canton.

A window to our past...

A doorway to our future.

Use your smartphone for more information.

From our wagon rides and country cookin n’’ to a guided adventure through our award-winning museums, our farm and village will make memories to last a lifetime hl b h l fd b

304-522-1244 | www.heritagefarmmuseum.com | 3 miles off I-64 in Huntington Byways • 29

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati

As a transportation corridor, Ohio’s heritage is as long as the Ohio & Erie Canal itself. Through painstaking restoration, visitors can view dioramas that depict the life of a canal builder. Using simple tools to construct the locks and passageways, the workers built, by hand and with oxen, the 110-mile waterway. Now part of a heritage greenway, visitors can walk the towpaths and ride the historic canal boats. At historic Roscoe Village, visitors can experience life in a canal village with costumed interpreters guiding them along the way. Ohio has three routes through its historic greenway with the other two being the CanalWay Ohio National Scenic Byway and the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.

Also in the Canal Zone, Zoar Village, founded in 1817

by German religious dissenters, offers a rare look into a communal society and religious separatist faith. Today, many of the sturdy structures built by the Zoar Separatists remain, 10 of which are restored museums operated by the Ohio Historical Society.

Ohio has 15 designated scenic byways, as well as the Zane Grey National Road. The longest of these roads is the Ohio River Scenic Byway that rambles along the 30 • Byways

Ohio River through historic river towns such as Marietta.

These driving tours offer visitors the chance to get off the beaten path and enjoy the historical and charming small towns in Ohio’s backyard.

As a religious haven, Ohio attracted the Amish and Mennonites who emigrated from Germany and Switzerland. Today, Ohio is home to the world’s largest population of Amish. This unique cultural juxtaposition between the simple life and the technologically driven 21st-century makes for a most unique vacation experience. Ohio’s Amish can be found mainly in the eastern portion of the state, in Holmes, Tuscarawas and Geauga counties. Visitors can enjoy the heirloom crafts and furniture created by the Amish, as well as the hearty food at restaurants frequented by Amish families.

Ohio also was an important pathway to freedom for slaves escaping persecution during the 1800s. The homes of abolitionists, who opened their doors and harbored slaves in basements and attics, can be found from the southern portion of the state along the Ohio River to Lake Erie and Ashtabula County, where the slaves escaped into Canada. In 2004, the National Underground

Ohio photos courtesy Ohio Tourism Division, www.DiscoverOhio.com

Railroad Freedom Center opened in Cincinnati, heralding the commemoration of the brave men and women, free people and slaves who helped bring down slavery.

The Center also will commemorate people from all corners of the globe who have been engaged in freedom movements.

Ohio’s Passage to Freedom trail links visitors to various Underground Railroad sites throughout Ohio, where they’ll find a kiosk of information regarding the area’s history, attractions and other points of interest.

During the past 200 years and more, Ohio has played an important role in the foundation of the country and in the people who inhabited the area now known as Ohio. Visitors interested in learning about the history and heritage of this area need to look no further than the sites and activities that bring Ohio’s history to life.

For more information about Ohio’s remarkable history and contribution in shaping the United States, visit the Ohio Historical Society’s Website at: http://www.OhioHistory.org http://www.DiscoverOhio.com.

Byways • 31

History Abounds in Chillicothe, Ohio’s First Capital

F

Ross County Heritage Center Photo by Marvin Jones.

rom prehistory to the present, Ross County and established collections and created what is now the Ross Chillicothe, Ohio offer a wealth of artifacts and County Heritage Center which includes the main buildsites which allow visitors to take a step back in ing, the McKell Library, the Knoles Log House and the Franklin House. time.

Nearly 2,000 years ago, the native peoples of this area lived along river banks between the Great Lakes and the Gulf of Mexico.

Mysteriously disappearing about 1,500 years ago, these peoples left behind ceremonial mounds, which have intrigued archeologists and historians ever since.

Ross County’s Hopewell Culture National Historical Park explores that heritage with five sites.

On a hill overlooking the Scioto River Valley, Adena Mansion and Gardens remains a testament to how quickly pioneers settled Chillicothe and created a prosperous, cultured community while creating a new state.

Completed in 1807 for Ohio’s first senator, Thomas Worthington, the 20-room, stone mansion was designed

by Benjamin Latrobe, architect of the United States Capitol in Washington. A new visitors center on the grounds offers a hands-on tour of Ohio history. Situated on the 300 remaining acres of the original home place are five outbuildings and formal gardens that visitors may Ross County’s Hopewell Culture National tour Historical Park. Photo by Marvin Jones.

Over the years, the Ross County Historical Society 32 • Byways

Adena Mansion and Gardens Photo by Marvin Jones..

“Tecumseh!” Witness the epic life story of the legendary Shawnee leader as he struggles to defend his sacred homelands in the Ohio country during the late 1700s. Photo by Joe Murray.

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Downtown Chillicothe on Paint Street Photo by Marvin Jones.

The center has exhibits on the Northwest Territory & Ohio statehood, the founding of Ohio’s first capital, Chillicothe, the prehistoric cultures of the Scioto River valley, the Civil War years, Camp Sherman and World War I, historical toys and dolls, historical art portraits, and historical vehicles and transportation. Visitors may also choose to visit the society’s Knoles Log House which features many artifacts that illustrate life in early Ohio, plus the Franklin House - the Society’s museum dedicated to women’s history.

While early settlers were creating a new state here, the Native Americans were trying to preserve their way of life.

The story of one of their greatest leaders is told in the outdoor drama that bears his name, “Tecumseh!”

Witness the epic life story of the legendary Shawnee leader as he struggles to defend his sacred homelands in the Ohio country during the late 1700s. The huge, outdoor stages of the Sugarloaf Mountain Amphitheatre afford the audience a unique viewing experience. You 34 • Byways

will sit beneath the stars in the beautiful Sugarloaf Mountain Amphitheatre as sheer spectacle surrounds you with a herd of galloping horses, live military cannon in action, and the most dazzling battle sequences offered on the American stage.

Groups may also choose to visit one of the many other attractions such as the Chillicothe Railroad Museum, David C. Nickens Heritage Center (Dedicated to Underground Railroad History); Dr. John D. Harris Dental Museum (First College of Dentistry in the United States); James M. Thomas Telephone Museum; Lucy Hayes Heritage Center (Birthplace of Lucy Hayes, wife of President Rutherford B. Hayes); The Majestic Theatre; Pump House Center for the Arts; Phoenix Fire Company Museum and many others!

To plan your visit and suggested tour itineraries, contact the Ross-Chillicothe Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-800-413-4118 or www.VisitChillicotheOhio.com

Chillicothe and Ross County, Ohio are Where To Be! for your group tours!

VisitChillicotheOhio.com

1-800-413-4118

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The setting sun illuminates the copper facade on The Natural History Museum of Utah’s new building, The Rio Tinto Center. The copper, from Kennecott Utah Copper, is offset in sections to represent Utah’s geologic formations.

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Utah’s Stunning New Natural History Museum

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An erosion table at the Natural History Museum of Utah at the Rio Tinto Center demonstrates the role erosion plays in sculpting the Earth.

he Natural History Museum of Utah, located at the University of Utah, has reopened to the public in a stunning new building situated in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, overlooking Salt Lake City and inspired by the diverse landscape of Utah.

The $103 million Rio Tinto Center, funded by a public and private partnership, is deeply rooted in place and infused with multiple features that embrace both traditional and new media techniques – a new Museum that sets a new standard for a Natural History Museum of the 21st century.

For over four decades, the Natural History Museum of Utah has connected Utah residents and tourists alike with the natural wonders and native cultures that define Utah.

As an active research institution with a remarkable and growing collection of more than 1.2 million specimens and objects, the Museum is an extraordinary cultural and educational asset for understanding the world. Over the years, the Museum has garnered the respect and affection of visitors, state and local leaders, scientists and museum professionals through programs of sustained excellence in the areas of public education, scientific research, collections preservation and environmental stewardship.

“We feel Utah residents will be very proud of our new home, which is the product of the work of literally every community in the state and experts from around the world,” said Sarah George, executive director of The Natural History Museum of Utah. “I believe we now 38 • Byways

offer one of the nation’s great new cultural buildings in which architecture and exhibition content serve and advance science and education while respecting their natural surroundings. We look forward to many years of telling the exciting and important stories of the natural world.”

The extraordinary new 163,000 square foot Rio Tinto Center, clad in 42,000 square feet of copper, occupies a prominent place at the edge of Salt Lake City and the University of Utah. The facility blends seamlessly into the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the angles of the roof rising and falling with the slope of the foothills in the background. The design reflects the Museum’s mission to illuminate the natural world through scientific inquiry, educational outreach, mutual cultural experience and human engagement of the past, present and future of the region and the world.

Inside, the building is divided by a sixty-foot-high central public space, The Canyon, which is the centerpiece of the Museum’s interior. One wing of the stunning new Museum contains long-needed spaces dedicated to the objective understanding of our world – research laboratories, conservation labs, collection storage and administration. The other wing houses public spaces with exhibitions dedicated to the subjective or interpretive aspects of our world so visitors can explore the delicate balance of life on earth and its natural history – galleries and spaces in which to present, interpret and study the Museum’s extraordinary collection of artifacts and exhibits.

The Trailhead to Utah is an innovative technology-based, way-finding system through the Natural History Museum of Utah’s nine galleries. The Museum aims to connect its visitors to concepts in natural history, its expansive collection and serve as a “trailhead” to explorations of the natural wonders throughout the state. The new building lays within the path of several of Utah's famous trails, which criscross the state’s rugged terrain, and bringing this environmental element inside is just one more way the newly opened Museum taps into the essence of its natural Dozens of dinosaurs are on exhibition at the Natural History surroundings.

Museum of Utah at the Rio Tinto Center. The Past Worlds Museum-goers can find their gallery takes visitors on a journey spanning 225 million years of Utah’s history. own way through the galleries, using their smartphone as their guide. They can learn more of the Utah to personalize their visit and focus on points of secrets of Utah’s ecosystems, fossil record and native interest. Each theme takes visitors further into various cultures, as well as its water and energy cycles and the aspects of the exhibits and connects them to the world forces that shape and sustain life in Utah. The Trailhead outside. Patrons can follow one theme during their visit is designed for guests at the Natural History Museum of or explore them all.

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The Collections Wall and the topographical map are the first exhibitions visitors see at the Natural History Museum of Utah at the Rio Tinto Center.

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Museum Exhibitions The Natural History Museum of Utah houses the state’s world-class collections in new exhibitions designed by Ralph Appelbaum Associates (RAA) and offers more than 41,300 square feet of gallery and education space, including The Canyon where some Museum theater pieces will be performed. By embracing the tools of modern architecture, exhibition design and media, the re-envisioned Museum presents a fresh, fascinating and immersive journey through the natural formation of life and land around Salt Lake City and throughout the state of Utah.

The Museum’s collections form the basis for all of the Museum's educational functions, from public exhibits and programming to scholarly research and publication.

Its systematic collections in the fields of earth sciences, biology and anthropology rank among the largest and most comprehensive in the western United States. While emphasizing the Great Basin and Colorado Plateau, they also include material from throughout the world.

Ongoing development of these collections is directed toward strengthening their comprehensive regional cov-

erage and increasing their significance and accessibility to all communities.

The new Museum’s exhibitions tap its vast collections in new ways and aim to put more of Utah’s treasures on display. This is done in a set of interdisciplinary galleries that explore the diverse ways in which we understand our world. The selection of objects necessitated a careful analysis of the Museum’s existing collections – some of which had never been seen by the public – and a convergence of traditional perspectives to tell a more nuanced story. Nine dedicated, thematic exhibition galleries explore the Sky, Native Voices, Life, Land, First Peoples, Lake (Great Salt Lake), Past Worlds, Our Backyard and Utah’s Futures. Each gallery draws from several scientific disciplines and collections, as well as from the humanities.

The Rio Tinto Center offers several free areas in the Museum building: The Canyon, boasting expansive views of the valley; the Museum Store; and the Museum Café, with indoor/outdoor seating and access to the University of Utah’s Wi-Fi network.

Visitors look at a large Tyrannosaurus fossil.

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The Chateaus of the du Ponts of Delaware

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Annual Chrysanthemum Fe

g n i n e p p a H s ’ t Wha

estival at Longwood Gardens

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iscover the story of a unique American family in Greater Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley of Delaware and Pennsylvania.

The story celebrates 200 years of du Pont family history, spans three centuries, and includes four estates and gardens, and recalls five generations.

The journey starts with a visit to the Hagley Museum, where the du Pont story begins. Located on 235 acres along the banks of the Brandywine River in Wilmington, Hagley is the site of the gunpowder works founded by E.I. du Pont in 1802. This example of early American industry includes restored mills, a workers’ community, and the ancestral home and gardens of the du Pont family.

The next stop on the journey is Winterthur Museum & Country Estate, one of the few surviving great American country estates. Henry Francis du Pont (1880-1969), an avid antiques collector and horticulturist, was Winterthur’s fifth owner. It was his love of American craftsmanship that led him to assemble one of the world’s most complete collections of antiques and Americana.

Winterthur’s fields and farmland detail the workings of a great America country estate. The 60-acre naturalistic garden boasts breathtaking beauty.

Continuing the journey is a visit to the Nemours Mansion and Gardens, America’s Versailles in the 44 • Byways

Nemours Mansion & Gardens

East Conservatory at Longwood Gardens

Reflecting Pool Staircase at Winterthur Photo by Russ Kennedy.

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Lily Pond Garden outside the Conservatory at Longwood Gardens

Brandywine Valley. Alfred I. du Pont (1864-1935) employed the architectural firm of Carrere and Hastings to design the 1909-1910 mansion.

The 47,000 square foot house is decorated with rare rugs, antique tapestries, oil paintings, and decorative arts.

Guests enjoy walking around the sculpture-filled, formal French gardens and a visit to the chauffeur’s garage, where antique cars are on display.

A visit to Longwood Gardens concludes the journey.

Pierre du Pont (1870-1954) bought the property in 1906 to preserve the trees, and he built the major garden features that today are considered the world’s premier horticultural display.

Eleven thousand different types of plants flourish on more than 1,000 acres of formal gardens, idea gardens, meadows, and woodlands. The four-acre Conservatory shelters twenty indoor gardens, including the Orchid Display, Children’s Garden, Cascade 46 • Byways

Garden and Mediterranean Garden.

For additional information on exploring the du Pont legacy in Delaware, contact the Greater Wilmington Convention & Visitors Bureau by visiting http://www.visitwilmingtonde.com; Delaware Department of Economic Development at: http://www.visitdelaware.com.

du Pont Dining Room at Winterthur Photo by Gavin Ashworth.

Byways is published bi-monthly by Byways, Inc. and distributed electronically throughout North America.

Byways is emailed to more than 4000 tour operators and 20,000 travel agencies through the internet. Subscriptions are complimentary.

Byways’ distribution includes motorcoach companies, tour operators, travel agents, bank travel managers, school band and athletic planners, and meeting planners. For advertising rates, editorial deadlines, or to place advertising insertions, contact: Byways Magazine, 42 Cabin Hill Lane, Mount Jackson, VA 22842. Telephone 540-477-3202.

Fax 540-477-3858. Toll-free 800-469-0062. ©Copyright 2012 by Byways, Inc. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be duplicated in any form without express written permission of the publisher.

Editor and Publisher Stephen M. Kirchner

Advertising Director 1.800.469.0062 540.477.3202 Fax 540.477.3858

Internet: bywaysmagazine.com byways@motorcoach.com

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6 50 7 5 8 6 2 39 29 35 10 19 25 25 8 7 35 31 31 8 11 11

Byways • 47

Downtown Hershey at the intersection of Chocolate Ave. and Cocoa Ave., with the signature Hershey Kiss lights and the Hershey Chocolate Factory in the background.

America’s Sweetest Town

H

ershey, Pennsylvania bills itself as The Sweetest Place on Earth! As such, it’s certainly the Sweetest Town in America.

Here you can discover the history of Milton S. Hershey, and the model town he built. You will experience a place where there is fun for everyone.

Take a tour through Hershey with a driving tour of downtown Hershey, featuring historic stops.

The Hershey story is an uplifting celebration of the great American dream. Inspired by Milton S. Hershey’s own candy-making apprenticeship and his flair for experimentation, the Chocolate Lab explores the unique qualities of chocolate.

You also have the option of boarding an old-fashioned trolley car as you journey through the Hershey experience. See many of the town’s landmarks and attractions, sing along with the turn-of-the-century conductors, and taste the chocolate for which Hershey is so famous.

Hersheypark features 65 rides and attractions, including soon-to-be 12 roller coasters on 110 acres. You ride the coasters, or just relax and enjoy the award-winning live entertainment. Or take it easy during the summer months at the nine water attractions of The Boardwalk at Hersheypark.

The must-see attraction is Hershey’s Chocolate World.

You can begin your complimentary Hershey’s Great American Chocolate Tours where you or your group will 48 • Byways

journey through the famous milk chocolate-making process and receive a free Hershey’s product sample.

Have you ever wanted your own personalized candy bar? Now you can at Hershey’s Create Your Own Candy Bar attraction.

You can even add your own candy bar ingredients and design your own packaging!

You can also catch a show at Hershey’s Really Big 3D show.

Of course, you can dine here as well, at Hershey’s Courtyard Cafe Food Court or Hershey’s Dessert Creation Studio. Discover a Bake Shoppe filled with delectable treats, as well as a world of delightful shopping featuring Hershey’s chocolate.

ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park offers an 11-acre walkthrough zoo with more than 200 native animals from the five regions of North America. Group tours have the option of behind-the-scenes tours of the Zoo. Hershey Gardens offers 23 acres of spectacular seasonal displays, amazing theme gardens, and during the summer season, the popular outdoor butterfly house.

The Storm River Snake Dive is one of 12 coasters set to Hershey Resorts offer an outstandoperate in 2012. ing choice of dining venues through the destination featuring cocoathemed entrees and deserts. From the sophistocated to Hershey experience.

For additional information, visit: the fun-filled, there is a dining experience in Hershey http://www.hersheypark.com/index.php. that will appeal to every individual and every group.

For group tour planning, visit With more than 4,000 hotel rooms in the Hershey area, http://www.

HersheyGroups.com. it won’t be a problem overnighting to enjoy the full

Summer is a popular time at the nine water attractions of The Boardwalk at Hersheypark.

Byways • 49

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