Veterans Day provide an opportunity to visit historic regions where history was made, the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area, a four state non profit group, says. Veterans Day is November 11.
Known as the region Where America Happened, the region includes: National and World Heritage sites, over 10,000 sites on the National Register of Historic Places, 49 National Historic districts, nine Presidential homes, 13 National Parks, hundreds of African American and Native American heritage sites, 30 historic main street communities, sites from the Revolutionary War, French-Indian War, War of 1812 and the largest collection of Civil War sites in the nation.
This 180-mile long, 75-mile wide area swath of land that stretches from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello in Charlottesville, Virginia, contains a rich collection of patriotic and historic destinations to visit in honor of Veteran's Day. In addition to the plethora of battlefields (Gettysburg, Antietam, Manassas, Harpers Ferry) and national cemeteries (Gettysburg, Antietam, Culpeper), the group offers additional suggestions that will help travelers make a selection.
As everyone knows, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania has the battlefield and national park. It is also home to the oldest national cemetery, Soldiers' National Cemetery, dedicated 149 years ago by President Lincoln. However, another great place to visit is the Eisenhower National Historic Site. Visit www.nps.gov/eise.
Another unique destination within the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area is the War Correspondent's Memorial, located within Gathland State Park in Frederick County, Maryland. The War Correspondents Arch, a National historic monument dedicated in October 1896, is the only monument in the world dedicated to journalists killed in combat. Visit www.fredericktourism.org.
Traveling down Route 15, the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Scenic Byway, visitors should stop by Dodona Manor in historic Leesburg, Virginia. Dodona Manor is the former home of General George C. Marshall and his wife Katherine Marshall, which served as the Marshalls' residence from 1941 until the General's death in 1959. Visit www.georgecmarshall.org.
A little further south, folks will find a hidden gem in Manassas. Everyone knows about the two Civil War battles that took place there and may also be familiar with the nearby National Museum of the Marine Corps. However, tucked away inside the Manassas Regional Airport is the Freedom Museum. Visit www.freedommuseum.org.
There are many other historic places for veterans to see throughout the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area to make it a weekend getaway during the Veterans Day celebration or anytime throughout the year. Maps, suggested itineraries, and other travel resources are available at www.hallowedground.org
The Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership, a non-profit organization, seeks to raise awareness of the history within the swath of land from Gettysburg to Monticello. The JTHG Partnership has created the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area and the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Scenic Byway. Visit www.hallowedground.org
