Bringing the Past to Life: Historic Encounters

Published on Sep 26, 2003

Discovering America's past doesn't have to stop at museums. America's Byways® include countless unique ways for you to honor the past and experience first-hand the compelling history of our country.

Experience the Birth of the New World

Some of our country's most fascinating past can be experienced on A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway. One visit to St. Augustine, the oldest continually inhabited European settlement in the country, and you will understand why. The city was discovered by Ponce de Leon in the early 1500s, 55 years before pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock. The city now contains over 2,500 historic structures dating from the colonial era, and has a cultural and historical attraction for years. Experience living history and reenactment events such as the British Illumination, the Spanish Night Watch, the Colonial Arts and Crafts Festival, and Drake's Raid, where history-making political conflicts and historic battles are portrayed by professional actors.

Discover Southern Life in the 18th Century

Tennessee and North Carolina's Cherohala Skyway literally immortalizes the 18th Century. Visit Fort Loudoun State Historic Area, where a British fort built in 1776 has been partially reconstructed in order to preserve- and illustrate- the area's past. Soldiers in full garb reenact battle scenes with lifelike muskets and tradesmen peddle their wares. Watch and talk to people who re-enact the lively history of the South, including the influence of British and French soldiers, Cherokee and Creek Indians, tradesmen, and villagers. Be sure to visit the nearby Cherokee Nation Museum to learn more about their past and present history.

Commemorate Westward Expansion

As the first federally funded road, the Historic National Road tells the story of westward expansion. Stretching from Baltimore to Vandalia, Illinois, the road connects 79 sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places and a number of towns rich in evidence of America's colorful past. From east to west, visit historic towns such as Ellicott, New Market, Frederick, Middletown, Wilson, Clear Spring, and Cumberland, which are full of reminders of the past. The road documents the path of settlers moving west, records the evolution of transportation, and saw Civil War battles first-hand. Plan to stop in Middletown, where exciting Civil War Battle Reenactments take place annually, and where you can experience firsthand what it was like to be a soldier, citizen or camp follower in the 1800s.

Relive a Past Era

Have an experience like no other and visit Heritage, New Hampshire's living history museum. Located on the White Mountain Trail, Heritage commemorates New Hampshire's past 350 years through elaborate, authentic "movie sets," traditional clothing, and stories. There you can voyage to the "New World" by ship, see a typical day in a 19th century village or travel the area by Concord coach.

Along America's Byways® there are infinitely many ways to experience the lives of our predecessors in ways that make the past literally come to life.

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