Even now, I found myself really gratefully that I was able to take this "historical" trip with my family. Coming back to Idaho was no doubt a little difficult for me after being able to see so many historic sites around the country. I often wonder why I was born in Idaho and not back East where it would be easier to visit more places with historical significance. Then again, Idaho has its own unique history and I like to explore it too.
Many of the places that we visited I had wanted to see for a long time, like Springfield and Antietam. Some of them, like Yorktown and Fort Dobbs, I had little knowledge about but walked away more appreciative of its history. The Museum of the Confederacy was a definite highlight. Visiting Fredericksburg was my first visit to a Civil War battlefield and made a strong impression on me. Antietam probably left the most profound impression on me though, and I'd like to return to explore it more.
Having some time to reflect since my trip has made me more aware of how visiting those places changed me. After our trip, I have become more of a proponent of battlefield preservation. I want my children and grandchildren to be able to visit these places. I believe that we have a responsibility to make sure that these hallowed pieces of land are not destroyed forever. To me, this is what we owe to those who died and gave up so much for our freedoms.
I appreciate history even more now, if that's possible! To actually stand in places where history took place made it seem more real and more relevant to my life than before. I can sense a new passion in me for history and for instilling this passion in others. Since I don't get to visit the East Coast very often, I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of our trip and can't wait for my next adventure.
Thanks for following my journey. I'll be announcing some more exciting things coming up at My Adventures in History soon, so please sick around!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Historical Trip Reflections
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
10 comments:
OK the Museum of the Confederacy is on my to-do list. Which is worse: To be in Idaho and want to be on the east coast, or to be the only New Yorker who's a Robert E. Lee fan?
Historical Travels,
I'd have to say that being the only New Yorker to be a Robert E. Lee fan is worse! Although being an Idahoan wanting to be on the east coast is close! :)
Rebecca,
I first traveled to Antietam when I was fourteen-year-old kid from Michigan. From that moment on I knew that one fine day I'd end up in the Cumberland Valley.
I've been here now for four years, and although not everything has gone the way I'd wished, I am so glad to be here and still delightfully flabbergasted that I get to work as a Ranger at Antietam National Battlefield.
Dreams are meant to be followed.
Mannie
Mannie,
Thanks for sharing your passion for your job! It really is a great place to be able to work at. I'm a little jealous but I'm working on pursuing my own dream!
Thanks for the comments!
I know how you feel, Rebecca. My main interest is the middle ages, and while I travel to Europe every chance I get, the only medieval resource near us (CT) is the Cloisters in NYC.
You asked how I liked Tom Cruise in Valkyrie. He's not a favorite of mine, but he was most un-Tom Cruise like in this movie. He did a good job, I thought.
katnit,
Thanks for the comments. Although I live in Idaho, I'm constantly amazed at how much my area has been impacted by events like the Civil War and more.
I thought he did a good job in Valkyrie too.
Rebecca, thanks so much for your trip blogs and your good thoughts about your trip. Like you, I find that traveling to historic sites makes me more appreciative of the beauty of this country and the incredible story of how our nation was built.
Something I've noticed on my trips is that if it weren't for the efforts of women's groups in various locales, we would have few left of our historic homes. Similarly, it's thanks to the New Deal and the CCC that so many of the battlefields were developed and preserved. I hope that our generation can make a similar committment to discovering and preserving our nation's history.
Looking forward to your future posts!
franceshunter,
I completely agree with you in that I hope our generation will make a commitment to preserving our history. I'm grateful for those who've seen the importance of preserving battlefields and other historic places. I wish more people would see that!
Thanks for the comments!
Wonderful Blog. Being a bit of a history buff, I'm lucky to be born and raised on the East Coast, currently living in Annapolis, Maryland- a must see next time you get back east. It's often referred to as the best preserved city in the US.
Currently doing my part-working to preserve a c.1780 farmhouse called Goshen Farm, and released a cd called "ghostly tales of annapolis and beyond" to raise money for the cause.
And my 9 year old son is always by my side, whether cleaning brush, doing research, or visiting historic places-gettysburg and Mannassas recently.
Read about some Annapolis history(and the spooky stories that go with it)-ghostlyfreaknfuzz.wordpress.com
Best of luck in your puruits
Fuzz,
Annapolis, Maryland is on the list of places I want to visit! Maryland in general is where I want to spend more time visiting. It's such a beautiful place. And I think that's great your son helps out and goes with you!
Thanks for stopping by my blog and I hope you come again!
Post a Comment
I love getting feedback on my posts and I appreciate your thoughts, opinions and questions. However, any comments that are of a perverse nature or include obscene language will not be published. Any comments that contain links to another site will be deleted unless it adds to the discussion. Please read the full Comments Policy before posting. Thanks for visiting!