Photo of the Week: Commemorating the Marines in Prince William County, Virginia

This is a replica of the United States Marine Corps War Memorial, also known as the Iwo Jima Memorial. It stands at the main entrance to the Marine Corps Base Quantico in Prince William County.

The original Marine Corps War Memorial is a military memorial statue located near Arlington National Cemetery. The memorial is dedicated to all personnel of the United States Marine Corps (USMC) who have died in the defense of their country since 1775.

Dating to 1731, Prince William County has a history of honoring its military heritage and revering its veterans. Prince William County is home to the National Museum of the Marine Corps, the Freedom Museum, Manassas National Battlefield Park and 25 sites of the Prince William County Civil War Heritage Trail.

Through the centuries, Prince William County has seen soldiers -- from Gen. Braddock and a young George Washington headed west to fight the French and Indian Wars to today’s marines training for combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. Revolutionary soldiers marched down the Kings Highway in the fight for America’s independence.

In 1861, Prince William County was the site of secession and the first major battle of the Civil War at Manassas, near Bull Run. Prince William remained the front line of the war and, in 1862, was the site of the second Battle of Manassas. The county was also home to the Peace Jubilee, where Civil War veterans from Union and Confederate armies reunited with a handshake, 50 years after their battle, to reaffirm our national unity.

During World War I, Prince William County became home to Quantico Marine Corps Base, where Commandant Le June instituted training that resulted in one of the best trained fighting forces in the world.

Have you visited the United States Marine Corps War Memorial or any other historic sites in Prince Williams County? Please share your reviews and photos on Gozaic. Prince William County is a Gozaic partner.

Photo courtesy of Jeff Mauritzen.

Five Things to Do In: the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area

The Cherokee named the Blue Ridge the “Land of the Blue Mist.” It’s a place unlike any other on earth, where ancient landscapes enchant the eye and age-old traditions warm the heart.

As you travel through the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area -- the mountains and foothills of Western North Carolina --- you’ll encounter waves of blue-misted mountains, graceful waterfalls and welcoming smiles from people who are proud of their rich cultural traditions. This is a region so special and unique, it was designated by Congress as a National Heritage Area in 2003.

Here are five things to do in the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area.

Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway: You must drive the Blue Ridge Parkway. Stretching from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina, the parkway is known as “America’s Favorite Drive.” It’s also sort of the “Main Street” of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the parkway, and celebrations are being held in gateway communities all along the roadway.

Visit High Country: In the High Country, get a double treat by visiting Flat Top Manor in the Moses Cone Memorial Park at Parkway Milepost 294. This gleaming white mansion, the former country estate of textile entrepreneur Moses Cone, is now the home of the Parkway Craft Center, where you’ll discover top quality handmade crafts by hundreds of regional artists. In the nearby town of Blowing Rock, you will find fine dining, art and crafts galleries, shopping, performing arts, resorts and more. The Orchard at Altapass offers live music and dancing, storytelling and, of course, apples.

Visit the Cradle’s Forest Discovery Center: The Cradle of Forestry, near Brevard, is the home of the first forestry school in America, established by Dr. Carl Schenck, chief forester for George Vanderbilt's Biltmore Estate. The Cradle’s Forest Discovery Center features interactive exhibits and a new movie – “There's Magic at the Cradle” -- in which a young girl learns to care for and help preserve a forest.

Stop by Cherokee, North Carolina: Step back in time and into another culture with a visit to Cherokee, at the southern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Cherokee believe they have always lived in Western North Carolina, and archeological evidence confirms that people lived in this region more than 11,000 years ago. The story of the Cherokee people is brought to life at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, the Qualla Arts and Crafts Center, Oconoluftee Village Living History Museum and in the “Unto These Hills” outdoor drama.

“Mayberry” Offers the Unexpected: Mount Airy, North Carolina, was the model for Andy Griffith’s TV town of Mayberry, and the community celebrates “Mayberry Days” every September. But Mount Airy is also known as a center for traditional Appalachian music, with its Old Time Music Heritage Hall, Voice of the Blue Ridge performances and the long-running WPAQ “Merry-Go-Round” live radio broadcast from the Downtown Cinema Theater every Saturday morning. Mount Airy is home to a fine regional museum of history, and the town is also located in the Yadkin Valley Wine Region, home to more than 24 wineries.

Have you visited the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area? Have you driven along the Blue Ridge Parkway; explored Cherokee or shopped for handmade crafts at Parkway Craft Center? Share your reviews and photos on Gozaic. The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area is a Gozaic partner.

Photos from top to bottom: Blue Ridge Parkway courtesy of North Carolina Division of Tourism. Flat Top Manor courtesy of Mike Booher. Cradle of Forestry courtesy of U.S. Forest Service. “Unto These Hills” courtesy of Cherokee Historical Association. Mayberry Parade courtesy of Surry Arts Council.

Jump-Start Your Summer with Memorial Day Festivities

To many of us, Memorial Day signifies the unofficial start of summer. While we celebrate with cookouts, parades and festivities, it’s worth remembering that the holiday’s true intent was to honor our fallen heroes. We’ve assembled a collection of Memorial Day weekend activities from Gozaic partners that do just that.

Grab your lawn chair for the parades, a blanket for the concert and your sunscreen -- you don’t want to get sunburned this early in the summer season!

Greenfield Village, Dearborn, Michigan
Civil War Remembrance, May 29-31, 2010
Greenfield Village’s most treasured signature event: Memorial Day weekend is filled with high emotions and vivid experiences, as we honor veterans who fought and died to preserve the nation’s freedom. More than 450 military re-enactors create an authentic Civil War encampment for an observance filled with parades, artillery demonstrations and heartfelt 19th-century music. Kick off summer with a gathering that is reverent, reflective and triumphant.

Brandon, Vermont
Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony, May 30, 2010, 10 a.m.
Brandon, Vermont, has an unbroken Memorial Day tradition going back to the origins of the holiday. This small town lost 53 men in the Civil War and began holding services in the town graveyard shortly after the war ended. Since 1886, when the town's monument was dedicated "to her fallen heroes" by its veterans, the ceremony has taken place by the monument on the town's traditional New England green. For more than 100 years, the town's first-grade girls, clad in white, have scattered flower petals at the foot of the monument.

Alton, Illinois
Memorial Day Parade, May 31, 2010, 10 a.m.
Celebrate Memorial Day by experiencing the oldest consecutive running parade in the nation. Celebrate the history of Pie Town, Upper Alton and those who serve our country. Bring your lawn chairs and line the streets to show your support and join in the fun.

Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site, Alexandria, Virginia
33rd Annual Memorial Day Jazz Festival, May 31, 2010, 1 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Spend the afternoon at Fort Ward Park. Listen to a different band every hour, including the Jazz Ambassadors Dixieland Band of the United States Army Field Band, Joe Baione Trio, Al Williams, Larry Brown Quintet and Kaleidoscope Orchestra. Free.

Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

Memorial Day Ceremony, May 31, 2010, 10 a.m.

A modern service honors military veterans who died serving their country. A procession with fife and drum support begins at the palace and proceeds to Bruton Parish Church and the French gravesite. Prayers will be said, wreaths will be placed, and musket volleys will be fired at the palace and churchyard. A brief commemorative service, with musket and cannon volleys, will take place at the French gravesite.

Photos top to bottom: Civil War Remembrance Weekend in Greenfield Village, Michigan, photo from the collections of The Henry Ford. A first-grade girl scatters flower petals at the Civil War monument in Brandon, Vermont, photo by Kevin Thornton. Fort Ward photo by Mary Billingsley. Courtesy of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

Learning – and Preserving – the Lessons of Internment

I knew about camp, but never completely understood what it meant until I attended college. I knew that my family had been interned, but it did not mean much to me at the time because my family rarely spoke about it. I did not realize how much this experience affected my family until I tried asking my paternal grandmother a few times about her experience. In my second year of college, I found out that there was an internment camp, Minidoka, only two hours away from where I live in Boise, Idaho. I was appalled because it was never mentioned when I was a child attending primary or secondary school. Not once. This was when my interest turned into a passion for internment history. I wanted to preserve this time in history and let others know what happened in our backyard not long ago.

I am fifth generation Japanese American. My family emigrated from Japan to the United States in the late 1800s. Back in Japan, my family was a military family. My great-grandfather did not want to be a military man, so he left to start a new life in Hawaii. He eventually moved to the mainland and met my great-grandmother, who was American born. They moved down to Southern California and were in the fishing business prior to World War II.

After the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States entered World War II. The United States government used fear and hysteria to institutionalize racism in governmental policies. Under the authority of the Executive Order 9066 and the Act of March 21, 1942 the government excluded all persons of Japanese ancestry from the West Coast of the United States.
Japanese American families had to pack up their belongings and uproot themselves in a matter of days. Some people were not given enough notice that they literally only had the clothes on their backs. When the families arrived at one of the ten relocation centers, they found themselves stuck in remote, desolate locations strewn across the United States and inadequately furnished. Camp life was devastating to the family unit, undermining the family structure.

My family was uprooted from their Southern California home and was incarcerated at the Manzanar War Relocation Center. My grandparents, Chizuye and Woodrow Wakatsuki, were in their twenties when their young family was incarcerated. My grandfather enlisted into the Army in 1944 at Manzanar and fought on the Pacific front during World War II.

Many men felt that they should prove their loyalty to the U.S. by enlisting and fighting in the war, and many became part of the 442nd battalion, a segregated Japanese American unit, which became the most decorated unit in the U.S. for its size. Others felt that they were being just as patriotic by standing up to the government that was incarcerating them by not fighting in the war abroad but fighting the war for their civil liberties at home.

Over a span of four years, 120,000 Japanese Americans were incarcerated. Men, women and children were prisoners of the United States. Many families lost everything they owned. Some families never recuperated from this traumatic event. Others struggled to forget their experiences and tried their best to suppress it from memory and just move on with their lives. They went through extreme hardships and treatment that we as a nation should never impose onto others ever again. We need to preserve and uphold the legacy of those interned and the internment experience and to promote education of this time in history.

Manzanar was an early Save America’s Treasures (SAT) grant recipient. Now, SAT and other preservation programs have been cut or underfunded by the proposed federal budget. Learn more about the National Trust’s campaign to restore this critical funding, and how SAT has impacted other sites associated with Asian Pacific American heritage.

This blog post by Hanako Wakatsuki originally appeared on the National Trust for Historic Preservation's website, PreservationNation.org, on May 5, 2010. Hanako is an interpretive specialist assistant at the Old Idaho Penitentiary State Historic Site of the Idaho State Historical Society.

Gozaic is the website of Heritage Travel, Inc., a for-profit subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Photos top to bottom: Chizuye Wakatsuki with her children, Patricia, George, and Woody Jr. at Manzanar and Woodrow Wakatsuki Sr. courtesy of Hanako Wakatsuki; a modern view of one of the gardens at Manzanar courtesy of National Park Service.

Photo of the Week: Historic Carnton Plantation, Franklin, Tennessee

Carnton Plantation in Franklin, Tennessee, witnessed one of the bloodiest battles of the entire Civil War.

The Battle of Franklin was a massive frontal assault, larger than Pickett's Charge at Gettysburg. In just five hours, nearly 10,000 soldiers were killed, wounded, captured or missing, the vast majority Confederate. Carnton Plantation served as the largest field hospital in the area for hundreds of wounded and dying Confederates. This photo shows a surgery table on display at Historic Carnton Plantation.

History
Carnton Plantation in Franklin, Tennessee, was built in 1826 by former Nashville Mayor Randal McGavock. Throughout the 19th century, it was frequently visited by those shaping American history, including American presidents James K. Polk and Andrew Jackson.

After the fall of Atlanta in September 1864, the Confederate high command turned its attention to another critically important city, Nashville, which had fallen under Union control in February 1862. The army of Tennessee marched toward Nashville, with the goal of reclaiming the city. In the middle of the night, the Union army, 22,000 strong, slipped past the sleeping Confederates and arrived in Franklin, halfway between Spring Hill and Nashville, at dawn. As the Union forces prepared to continue to Nashville, the Confederates appeared two miles south of the defensive perimeter erected by the Federals.

Carnton was one of the few houses behind the Confederate line, and at 4 in the afternoon on November 30, 1864, its occupants watched as the Confederate Army launched their attack.

A soldier described Carrie McGavock, the mistress of the house: "this noble woman, the very impersonation of divine sympathy and tender pity, was active and constantly at work. Unaffrighted by the sight of blood, unawed by horrid wounds, unblanched by ghastly death, she walked from room to room, from man to man, her very skirts stained with blood."

On the morning of December 1, the bodies of four Confederate generals killed during the fighting – Patrick Cleburne, Hiram Granbury, John Adams and Otho Strahl – lay on the back porch. The floors of the meticulously restored home are still stained with the blood of the men who were treated here.

In 1866, John and Carrie McGavock designated two acres of land adjacent to their family cemetery as a final burial place for nearly 1,500 Confederates. The McGavocks maintained the cemetery until they died. Today, the McGavock Confederate Cemetery is a lasting memorial honoring those fallen soldiers.

Tours
Following the floods in the Nashville area, Historic Carnton Plantation is open. Visitors to the Historic Carnton Plantation can tour the house museum, garden, slave house, springhouse, smoke house, Confederate cemetery and visitors’ center.

Historic Carnton Plantation and Franklin-Williamson County, Tennessee are Gozaic partners. Have you been to the Historic Carnton Plantation or to Franklin/Williamson County? If so, write a review or share a photo!

Photo courtesy of Bruce Wolfe.

Five Things to Do In: Edenton, North Carolina

Nestled along picturesque Edenton Bay on the north shore of the Albemarle Sound, Edenton has been one of the leading towns in northeastern North Carolina for almost three centuries.

Established in 1712 and incorporated in 1722, Edenton served as the first Colonial capital until 1743. Penelope Barker, organizer of the Edenton Tea Party in 1774, and Harriet Jacobs, author of “Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl” a century later, helped put Edenton on the map.

Today, the town is well-known for its fine examples of Jacobean, Georgian, Federal, Greek Revival and Victorian architectural styles, spanning more than 250 years. Guided walking and trolley tours leave the Historic Edenton Visitor Center daily. On these tours, experiencing much of the town’s history becomes a reality. This Preserve America Community was named one of the National Trust’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations in 2003.

Here are five must-see destinations in Edenton and Chowan County:

Paddling the Nooks and Crannies: Six trails, part of the North Carolina Paddle Trails, weave through the river, sound and creeks, giving paddlers an experience accompanied by wildlife and scenery that cannot be matched. Paddlers can reach a total of 10 camping platforms, and the adventurous can book overnight lodging on either Holladay’s or John’s Islands for total outdoor recreation enjoyment.

Romance: Rest and relax with someone special. Edenton’s charming historic district includes bed-and-breakfast inns, fine dining, boutiques, antique shops, rotating exhibits sponsored by the Edenton Arts Council, art galleries, historic homes and scenic parks. This atmosphere may lead to a little hand-holding along the waterfront on Edenton Bay and offers a perfect setting for weddings.

History, Culture and Small-Town Charm: Edenton flourished before the American Revolution, trading with other American colonies, the West Indies and England. The town’s rising wealth fostered fine architecture. A leading center for political, social, educational and industrial activity through three centuries, Edenton quickly grew into the unrivaled business and political center throughout the 18th century in the Albemarle region, North Carolina’s oldest settled area. Visitors can become acquainted with the rich and varied history of Edenton and find out why this town qualifies as a historic gem.

Civil War: Commemoration of the sesquicentennial of the American Civil War, from 2011-15, will feature tours focusing on Harriet Jacobs’ escape from slavery via the Maritime Underground Railroad; the Edenton Bell Battery, an artillery unit organized locally that used guns cast from the bells of churches and municipal buildings; and the occupation of Edenton homes by Union forces, such as the First New York Mounted Rifles. “War on the Chowan River/Buffalo Country” and “Edenton/Battle of the Albemarle Sound” in Edenton Harbor are both part of the North Carolina Civil War Trail, sharing stories of their own.

Lighthouse: Now settled on Edenton Bay, the 1886 Roanoke River Lighthouse started life as a warning signal at the mouth of the Roanoke River. A marine salvage moved it to Edenton in 1955 and placed it on land at Filbert’s Creek. This one-and-one-half-story screw-pile structure will become an interpretive site when restoration is complete. Stay tuned to learn more about this collaborative effort.

Edenton is a Gozaic partner. Have you visited Edenton? Share your experience: write a review or upload a photo.

Photos courtesy of Edenton-Chowan County TDA. From top to bottom: The Barker House, home of Penelope Barker, instigator of the 1774 Edenton Tea Party; paddling races during the Edenton Music and Water Festival held in Colonial Park on Father's Day weekend each year; Edenton Music and Water Festival; Edenton cannons; and 1886 Roanoke River Lighthouse which is currently undergoing restoration.

Saugatuck Dunes in Michigan Named to 2010 America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places

Today, the Saugatuck Dunes in Michigan became a beauty queen with a tarnished crown.

Just last year, the National Trust for Historic Preservation cited Saugatuck-Douglas, Michigan, on its 2009 listing of Dozen Distinctive Destinations. It noted these neighboring harbor towns nestled near the shore of Lake Michigan, are defined by steep, rolling dunes to the west and lush orchard country to the east. The 19th century architecture forms the basis for the area's old world charm, but the lakeshore community's scenic beauty and singular collection of art galleries, shops and restaurants make it a perfect getaway destination.

But now, the 2,000 acres that comprise the Saugatuck Dunes Coastal Area are threatened by a proposed 600-acre, high-density residential development, to include a marina, hotel, restaurant and retail complex, all prohibited by local zoning laws. The development would have a devastating impact on Saugatuck’s thriving downtown as well as forever mar the last undeveloped harbor mouth on Lake Michigan and the many historic sites that punctuate its rare beauty.

The land in question, acquired by development company Singapore Dunes LLC in 2006 from a private owner, is the subject of a contentious legal battle involving the township of Saugatuck. For nearly five years, Singapore Dunes LLC has taken aim at current zoning laws, which prohibit commercial development on the site. Through a series of lawsuits, threatened lawsuits, zoning appeals and depositions, Singapore Dunes LLC has tried to pressure the township to change its zoning laws. The financially strapped township is facing an increasingly expensive fight, one they hope they have the resources to win.

Saugatuck Township has worked hard to preserve its heritage and in 2006 established the Lakeshore Open Space Zoning District. The zoning allows for limited residential development but prohibits commercial development, marinas and retail and specifically calls for site protection of the community’s numerous historic and natural areas. Despite this, Singapore Dunes LLC has been relentless in pushing for a massive development that virtually no one in the community supports.

Show your support for saving the Saugatuck Dunes and hundreds of other historic places and find out how you can help. America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places annually highlights important examples of the nation’s architectural, cultural and natural heritage that are at risk for destruction or irreparable damage.

Photos top to bottom: Saugatuck Dunes courtesy of Felicia Fairchild; Saugatuck Dunes courtesy of Mary Lou Graham; Saugatuck Harbor courtesty of Felicia Fairchild.

Great American Main Street Award Winners

People love lists. We have the top places to drink a beer. Top places to retire. To start a business. To raise a family. To own a dog.

Now we know which downtown districts can claim to be among the best places to find a farmers’ market, quirky coffee shop or arts district. Every year, the National Trust Main Street Center convenes a jury of preservationists, smart growth professionals and downtown revitalization specialists to review compelling applications from all corners of the country and ultimately select five communities that personify a Great American Main Street.

Without further ado, drum roll please:

Paducah, Kentucky – Paducah—long a seedy downtown to be avoided–has reinvented itself as a “creative community.” Using the arts as its focus and financial incentives as the draw, Paducah now boasts more than 70 artists who’ve restored homes and opened galleries in LowerTown, the downtown’s residential neighborhood. Riverfront recreation, major festivals like the LowerTown Art and Music Festival, and a strong mix of retail options are attracting visitors and investment downtown as the city evolves from a crime-ridden place to avoid, to the historically hip place you want to be. Paducah is a Gozaic partner.

Columbus, Mississippi – Where the livin’ is easy. Thanks in large part to Main Street Columbus, quaint lofts and luxurious penthouses have replaced empty attics. Late 19th century/early 20th century buildings, formerly boarded-up ghosts, are now bustling with lively restaurants and interesting shops. A 2.5 mile Riverwalk invites residents and visitors to stroll along the Tombigbee River and the landmark Old Columbus Bridge, which welcomed steamboats to town. A recently rehabbed historic facility houses a six-month farmers’ market with more than fifty vendors. Columbus is a Gozaic partner and will be featured on Gozaic.com soon.

Fairmont, West Virginia - “The Friendly City,” offers miles of hiking trails, museums and a quaint riverside downtown. Main Street Fairmont has led the revitalization of this community, leading the charge to rehabilitate and re-open its National Register-listed High Level Bridge–literally reuniting the city and providing the momentum for further historic real estate development. Its Italian “Feast of the Seven Fishes” food and culture festival exemplifies its proud heritage, and will be the subject of an upcoming Food Network special. Fairmont is a Gozaic partner and will be featured on Gozaic.com soon.

Ferndale, Michigan – For years, the economy of suburban Ferndale was inextricably linked to that of nearby Detroit. A persistent downward trend had led most of the metropolitan area to write Ferndale off. Then in 1980, the Ferndale Downtown Development Authority formed, motivated by a brighter vision for their city. Their creativity and enthusiasm has paid off, putting Ferndale firmly back on an upward trajectory. Its “pimp your pot” beautification contest, the region’s largest LGBT festival, dog-friendly shopping events and the new “Do-It-Yourself” Street Festival has put a hip spin on suburban living and brought a buzz to downtown that is showing no sign of slowing.

Lee’s Summit, Missouri – If preservation is all about managing change, then Lee’s Summit is the perfect illustration of that. Despite a population boom of 65,000 residents over the past 25 years, downtown has maintained its small-town charm and its historic neighborhoods have thrived despite new outlying subdivisions that cropped up seemingly overnight. This is largely the result of the preservation ethic exemplified by Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street and the determination of residents old and new to preserve what they love about Lee’s Summit.

Have you visited any of these Great American Main Street Award winners? Please share your comments below.

This blog post by Erica Stewart originally appeared on the National Trust for Historic Preservation's website, PreservationNation.org, on May 4, 2010. Erica is the outreach coordinator for the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s community revitalization department.

Gozaic is the website of Heritage Travel, Inc., a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Photos top to bottom: Downtown Paducah, Kentucky, has welcomed artist with open arms, and economic development, tourism and a strong sense of place has followed. The Do-It-Yourself event and other promotions has made downtown Ferndale, Michigan, the place to be. Downtown Lee’s Summit, Missouri, is still the heart and soul of the area, despite strong suburban residential growth and development.

Photo of the Week: Carmel Mission in Monterey County, California

The original capital of California, Monterey has a rich historical legacy. It is home to many California firsts, including the first architect-designed building, San Carlos Cathedral; the first government building, the Custom House; the first theater; the first brick house; and more. The Path of History, an easy two-mile walk, connects these and more than 50 other historic sites.

Portuguese explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo first sighted the area in 1542, but it was not until 1770 that a European settlement was established. On June 3, 1770, Father Junipero Serra, the founder of the California missions, and Capt. Gaspar de Portola, who would later become governor of California, established the Royal Presidio de San Carlos de Monterey and the Mission San Carlos Borromeo, now known as the Carmel Mission. Father Junipero Serra is buried there. The Carmel Mission is considered the best-preserved of all the California missions and is open daily for tours.

A visit to Monterey County offers a variety of well-preserved downtowns, walkable streets and beautiful settings. Throughout the year, Monterey has festivals and events that tie into to different aspects of its vibrant heritage. Annual events include food and wine festivals celebrating the area's agricultural past and present, music festivals and history festivals that bring the past alive. A few examples of great festivals include: The Castroville Artichoke Festival is May 15-16, 2010; the Monterey Jazz Festival is September 17-19, 2010; and Pacific Grove’s Good Ole Days Festival is in April.

Have you been to Monterey County? Share your review and photos on Gozaic.

Photo courtesy of Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Five Things to Do In: Taos, New Mexico

For centuries, the town of Taos in northern New Mexico has captivated many people with its natural beauty, unique culture and extraordinary history. Taos Pueblo inhabitants, Spanish explorers, mountain men, artists, outdoor enthusiasts, international celebrities and others have found Taos’ ambiance and assets irresistible. The area’s aura of energy and peacefulness is so special, it is not uncommon for first-time visitors to become residents after experiencing it.

Taos offers something for everyone: local wineries to tour, llama trekking in the mountains, whitewater rafting along the Taos Box, New Mexican green chile to sample at trendy Taos restaurants and the historic Taos Morada to visit. Taos is at the center of it all. The town is simply a great vacation destination, as well as an attractive refuge for those seeking inspiration, rejuvenation and reconnection with what’s important in life.

Here are five things to do in Taos:

Taos Pueblo: Taos Pueblo is nestled in the foreground of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The pueblo is one of only 21 World Heritage Sites in the country and is a National Historic Landmark. The multi-storied adobe buildings have been inhabited continuously for more than 1,000 years. Visitors are welcome to visit the pueblo, except during times when tribal rituals are taking place. The beautiful San Geronimo chapel is located on the pueblo. And you can purchase handcrafted jewelry, pottery and wares during your visit.

St. Francis Church/Ranchos de Taos Church: St. Francis Church, built between 1710 and 1840, is considered the most “painted” church in the United States. Every year in summer, the community remuds the church to restore its adobe finish. The rear buttress of the church was intended to be off-center when seen from the air to reflect Jesus’ head tilting to the right on the cross. The sacred church is also the home of the mysterious 19th-century painting, “The Shadow of the Crown,” which appears to change form at night without explanation.

LeDoux and Bent Streets Museums/Galleries: Legendary artist Georgia O’Keefe was not the only creative person who has fallen in love with Taos. Many artists and writers are inspired by and drawn to Taos. This is why the town is revered for its galleries, especially along the historic LeDoux and Bent Streets. On LeDoux Street, be sure to tour the historic home of 19th-century artist Ernest Blumenschein and the 21-room Spanish Colonial-style La Hacienda de los Martinez home. For only $25, visit five museums.

Rio Grande Gorge: When you first see the rift of the Rio Grande Gorge near Taos, you can only try to imagine how it got there. At 650 feet, the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge is the third-highest bridge in the United States. The gorge reaches a depth of 800 feet just south of the Gorge Bridge, which makes it one of the best places in the country for white water rafting. A large picnic area on the southwest side of the highway leads to a hiking trail along the river's west rim.

Rejuvenate in Hot Springs: A visit to Taos wouldn’t be complete without a healing soak in any one of three hot springs in the Taos area. The elegant El Monte Sagrado Living Resort and Spa provides five-star spa treatments, with its Living Spa experience. Or if you’re up for a scenic hike, which might include seeing a bald eagle or two, take the short trail down to the Manby Hot Springs, just north of Taos. And just southwest of Taos, you’ll find the recently renovated Ojo Caliente Hot Springs Resort and Spa, established by Native Americans more than 140 years ago.

Taos is a Gozaic partner. Have you visited Taos? Share your review and photos.

Photos from top to bottom: Sunset in Taos courtesy of Gak Ston; UNESCO-designated Taos Pueblo courtesy of Gak Ston; St. Francis Assisi Church, the most painted church in the U.S.; galleries and museums are unique and abundant in Taos courtesy of Paula Valentine; and Rio Grande Gorge Bridge courtesy of Rick Romancito.

Gozaic of the Week: Chesterwood in Stockbridge, Massachusetts

Chesterwood is the country home, studio and gardens of America's most acclaimed sculptor of public monuments, Daniel Chester French.

Overview
French lived from 1850 to 1931 and is best known for his statues of the Minute Man (1875) in Concord, Massachusetts, and Abraham Lincoln for the Lincoln Memorial (1922) in Washington, D.C. Situated on 122 acres in the idyllic hamlet of Glendale near Stockbridge, Massachusetts, the property and buildings were donated to the National Trust for Historic Preservation by French’s daughter, Margaret French Cresson. Inspired by the natural beauty of the Berkshire Hills, French purchased the Marshall Warner farm in 1896. During the month of May, he left his permanent home and studio in New York for six months and moved with his family to Chesterwood, where he continued to work on more than 200 public and private commissions.

Visit and Tour
Open for the 2010 summer season from May 29 to October 11, many of French’s plaster sketches, including models of his Abraham Lincoln for the Lincoln Memorial, are on view today in his studio. The permanent exhibit features Daniel Chester French: Sculpting an American Vision, in the Barn Gallery. Visitors to Chesterwood are invited to explore the beautiful formal gardens and woodland paths created by French himself. In celebration of the bicentennial of Lincoln’s birth, Chesterwood offers Discover Lincoln, a self-guided tour.

Chesterwood is a National Trust Historic Site owned and operated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and recognized as a National and Massachusetts Historic Landmark.

Have you been to Chesterwood? Write a review and share your photos on Gozaic.

Gozaic (go-ZAY-ik). Noun. 1) The name of a website, Gozaic.com. 2) The fusion of “go,” for travel and the mosaic of heritage and culture. 3) The mosaic of images to illustrate the dimensions of a featured heritage or cultural destination.

Photos courtesy of Paul Rocheleau and Ron Blunt.

Ma Rainey: Daughter of the Blues – on Her Own Terms – and a True Treasure

Who is Ma Rainey?
That is a question that, until recently, most residents of Columbus, Georgia, probably couldn’t answer about native daughter, Gertrude “Ma” (Pridgett) Rainey. Blues aficionados, or fans of August Wilson’s play, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” might know her for being one of the first professional artists to record the blues, and recall her as the cavalier “Mother of the Blues”—a personae perfectly matched to the frivolous “play party” music that was characteristic of the Chattahoochee region in the 1920s.

“Don’t like my ocean, don’t fish in my sea,” are lyrics from a song she wrote with Bessie Smith. “Stay out of my valley, and let my mountain be.”
But not much was known in Columbus about her life, legacy, or the house that she built for her mother at the height of her success–and later returned to after her career was derailed by the stock market crash of 1929. Worse yet, many residents didn’t really like what they did know, associating her singing with “devil music,” or rejecting her legacy, due to rumors surrounding her sexual orientation and whiskey-swilling ways. This despite the fact she is the only woman inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Blues Foundation’s Hall of Fame, and a known inspiration to music legend Louie Armstrong.

Thanks in large part to the effort of Florene Dawkins, chairwoman of the Friends of Ma Rainey nonprofit organization; Isaiah Hugely, former Columbus city manager; and a timely Save America’s Treasures grant, the life of this influential and controversial singer is now enshrined in the Gertrude “Ma” Rainey House and Blues Museum. In the two and a half years since it opened, the house museum is averaging approximately 300 visitors a month, and has become the most popular African American attraction in Columbus.

This reality was a very distant vision when the city acquired the dilapidated property in 1991 for $5,000. The roof had caved, Ma’s piano lay exposed to the elements, and simply stabilizing the house would cost $90,000. There was support for razing the building, which was put to a vote. Columbus Mayor at the time, Frank Martin, cast the tie-breaking vote that spared the home from demolition.

The Friends of Ma Rainey still faced an uphill battle, combating indifference about the singer’s story, and a scarcity of funding. United States Postal Service issued a Ma Rainey stamp in 1994 and B. B. King played a benefit concert for the project in 1997. But the true turning point came when a federal Save America’s Treasures grant for $149,000 was approved, and the city agreed to match it.

The impacts of the SAT funding, and the completed museum, have been significant. The Ma Rainey House and Blues Museum is located within the Liberty Historic District, the traditionally African American community in Columbus. Once the bustling hub of African American life in the 1920’s, the neighborhood fell into an economic slump, and suffered neglect and disrepair common to many urban areas in the 1960s and 70s.

The Ma Rainey House restoration has truly been the sparkplug that has fueled the reemergence of this neighborhood. A variety of new rehab projects and business openings have popped up in the vicinity of the museum, emboldened by the triumph and success of Ma Rainey’s biggest fans. Ms. Dawkins is quick to credit the SAT money for not only providing critical funding that enabled the preservation of a rich chapter of Columbus’ past, but also sparked the revitalization of one of its most historic neighborhoods, a key piece to Columbus’ future.

Save America’s Treasures, Preserve America, and the other programs cut or underfunded by the proposed federal budget do more than preserve our country’s rich heritage – they put Americans to work. Learn more about the National Trust’s campaign to restore this critical funding.

This blog post by Erica Stewart originally appeared on the National Trust for Historic Preservation's website, PreservationNation.org, on April 21, 2010. Erica is the outreach coordinator for the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s community revitalization department.

Gozaic is the website of Heritage Travel, Inc., a for-profit subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Photo: The Ma Rainey House in Columbus, Georgia.

Photo of the Week: Angel Island State Park, Tiburon, California

Angel Island State Park sits in the middle of San Francisco Bay, California. The largest island in the San Francisco Bay, Angel Island was the West Coast’s main processing center for Pacific Rim immigrants and is alive with history and historical significance. From 1910 to 1940, the Angel Island Immigration Station facility processed approximately one million Asian immigrants; most were of Chinese decent. Due to restrictions, many Chinese immigrants spent years on the island, waiting for entry.

California Coastal Miwok Indians inhabited Angel Island for thousands of years. It was a Civil War encampment, a quarantine station during the Spanish-American War, a discharge depot and recruitment processing center during World War I and an embarkation station and POW camp during World War II. The Immigration Station in the photo above was often referred to as "The Ellis Island of the West" from 1910 through 1940. Inside the Immigration Station, poetry and other thoughts from hundreds of thousands of immigrants have been preserved on the walls. Many of the inscriptions are from Chinese immigrants and can be viewed by the visiting public. Angel Island became a Nike Missile Base during the Cold War.

The Immigration Station complex consisted of a pier, barracks, hospital and large administrative center, along with several facilities buildings. There were also 12 cottages, designed by up-and-coming architect Julia Morgan that housed families who worked on the island. The facility was primarily a detention center and assisted in the control of the flow of Chinese into the country.

In 2000, a Save America’s Treasures grant was used to help stabilize the historic buildings and conserve Chinese poetry inscribed on the walls of the Immigration Station barracks.

Today, the Immigration Station grounds are open to the public and there are a number of interpretation panels for public viewing. Visitation to the inside of the historic Immigration Station is by guided tours only. Angel Island State Park offers opportunities to hike, bike or take a narrated tram tour around a historic island, with its 120 historic structures dating from the Civil War through World War II. Panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay Area are without equal. The island's U.S. Immigration Station is a National Historic Landmark. Visitor information.

Angel Island State Park is a Gozaic partner.

Photo: Immigration Station courtesy of CSP Photo.

Five Fun Facts from Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan

It began as a simple, yet bold idea to document the genius of ordinary people by recognizing and preserving the objects they used in the course of their everyday lives. It grew into the ultimate place to explore what Americans, past and present, have imagined and invented. The sheer scope and design of Henry Ford Museum is as grand as the vision that inspired it. You’re likely to feel awe, as your mind adjusts to a different sense of scale. Vaster, more expansive and more diverse than most anything in routine daily life. The sweeping, single-floor space, with its soaring 40-foot ceilings, covers nine acres.

Five fun facts about Henry Ford Museum:

Edison’s Last Breath: It is alleged that Henry Ford asked Thomas A. Edison’s son, Charles, to collect an exhaled breath from the lungs of Ford’s dying hero and friend. The test tube was found at Ford’s Fair Lane mansion, along with Edison’s hat and shoes, after Henry’s widow Clara’s death in 1950. Henry Ford Museum presents this unquestionably unique artifact that memorializes a great American innovator.

Dymaxion House: R. Buckminster Fuller thought this house, which he called the Dymaxion House, was just what the American public wanted. Fuller, an engineer, philosopher and innovative designer, conceived the house in 1927 and partnered with the Beech Aircraft Corporation in Wichita, Kansas, to produce prototypes in 1945. The round house, built of aluminum, steel and plastic, is suspended on a mast like a giant umbrella. The Graham family of Wichita lived in the house, until they donated it to The Henry Ford. Today, you can take a tour through the only surviving Dymaxion House, at Henry Ford Museum.

Clyde Barrow Letter: In 1934, Henry Ford’s office received a letter, allegedly written by Depression-era bank robber Clyde Barrow, in which he extolled the virtues of the Ford V-8 automobile. His letter reads in part: “While I still have got breath in my lungs I will tell you what a dandy car you make. I have drove Fords exclusively when I could get away with one . . .” Read Clyde’s entire letter, on display at Henry Ford Museum.

Tom Thumb’s Carriage: The famous entertainer, Tom Thumb, was so short (only 3 feet 4 inches when fully grown) that he could hardly be seen inside a full-size carriage. Tom Thumb used the carriage on display in Henry Ford Museum during the latter years of his career. A brougham, dating from the mid-1870s, was just the sort of stylish, elegant vehicle for the famous Tom Thumb and his petite wife -- a vehicle custom-made to fit the entertainment sensation of the 19th century.

The Rosa Parks Bus: On Dec. 1, 1955, 42-year-old Rosa Parks, an African-American seamstress, boarded this Montgomery city bus to go home from work. When she refused to give up her seat to a white man, Rosa Parks initiated a new era in the American quest for freedom and equality. Sit in the very seat where Rosa Parks’ quiet courage mobilized an entire nation.

Henry Ford Museum is a Gozaic partner.

Photos from the collections of The Henry Ford. From top to bottom: Edison’s Last Breath; Buckminster Fuller’s Dymaxion House; Clyde Barrow Letter; Tom Thumb’s Carriage; and The Rosa Parks Bus.

Gozaic of the Week: Middleton Place in Charleston, South Carolina

The Middleton Place experience begins with the beauty of the formally landscaped gardens, begun in 1741 by Henry Middleton. From 1741 to 1865, this majestic plantation on the banks of the Ashley River was the family seat of four successive generations of the distinguished Middleton family.

History
For 120 years before the Civil War, throughout the golden eras of rice, indigo and cotton, the Middleton Place property served as a family seat and headquarters for a score of flourishing plantations. Henry Middleton was the second president of the first Continental Congress; his son Arthur, a signer of the Declaration of Independence; his grandson Henry, governor of South Carolina and American minister to Russia; and his great-grandson Williams, a signer of the Ordinance of Secession.

Today
Middleton Place houses an incredible collection of family memorabilia. Among the many Middleton family possessions displayed are portraits by noted 18th- and 19th-century painters Benjamin West and Thomas Sully, a breakfast table attributed to Charleston’s celebrated furniture maker Thomas Elfe, silver, china, books and historic documents.

Behind the impressive facade posed by formal gardens and the house, sit the plantation stable yards. Visitors can see the life of an 18th- and 19th-century plantation, and historic craft interpreters demonstrate the skills once performed by slaves. At Eliza’s House, an 1870s freedmen’s dwelling, an exhibit about slavery tells the story of the African American community that lived and worked at Middleton Place.

Admission and Tours
General admission allows guests to experience the 65 acres of formal landscaped gardens and explore the working plantation stable yards where costumed interpreters demonstrate the skills once performed by slaves. As part of the general admission, visitors can participate in an African American Focus Tour and Garden Overview Tour. For additional fees, guests can take a house tour and a carriage tour.

Gozaic (go-ZAY-ik). Noun. 1) The name of a website, Gozaic.com. 2) The fusion of “go,” for travel and the mosaic of heritage and culture. 3) The mosaic of images to illustrate the dimensions of a featured heritage or cultural destination.

Photo courtesy of Middleton Place and the Charleston Heritage Foundation.

Mother's Day Events and Activities

This Mother's Day, treat mom to a special visit to a Gozaic partner. Enjoy historic sites, concerts, dining, gardens and more.

Delaware Art Museum, Wilmington, Delaware
“Love, Lies & Oil Paint” Tour and Tea, May 9, 2 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Delaware Art Museum is celebrating Mother’s Day with a special “Love, Lies & Oil Paint” one-hour tour, followed by afternoon tea in the museum’s East Court. Discover the fascinating tales of romance and intrigue that provided the inspiration for the museum’s Pre-Raphaelite collection.

Glensheen, the Historic Congdon Estate, Duluth, Minnesota
Mother's Day Dining and Estate Tour, May 9, 9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Clara Congdon, mother of seven children, lived at Glensheen for 42 years. Her daughter, Elisabeth, also raised her daughters at Glensheen, on the shores of Lake Superior. In celebration of these Congdon mothers, Glensheen offers three opportunities for fine dining and a tour of the estate.

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts/Museum at Bethel Woods, Bethel, New York
Cowboy Junkies Concert, May 8, 8 p.m.
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, at the site of the 1969 Woodstock festival, is presenting the Cowboy Junkies, a Mother’s Day eve concert in the Event Gallery of The Museum at Bethel Woods. Come early and purchase a museum ticket. The museum tells the story of the sixties and the Woodstock festival in an immersive multimedia exhibit.

Olana State Historic Site, Hudson, New York
Mother’s Day Plant Sale and Talk, May 9, noon-4 p.m.
This Mother’s Day, enjoy a talk about Olana’s historic plantings, by Bob Hyland, co-owner and principal of Loomis Creek Nursery in Hudson, New York. A great selection of Olana inspired plants will be offered for sale. Families can make a day of it and participate in the free public programs: “ARTlandish!” and “Olana On the Move Backpacks.”

Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, Alexandria, Virginia
Free Mother's Day Tours, May 9, 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
Treat mom to a tour of Old Town Alexandria’s historic Gadsby’s Tavern and City Hall, where notable visitors included George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. Junior docents, grades 2 through 5, will be stationed at each stop on the tour, including the tap room, bed chambers, ballroom, assembly room and dining room, so visitors can tour at their own pace. Moms are admitted free.

Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, Alexandria, Virginia
Free Mother’s Day Tours, May 9, 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
The apothecary first opened in 1792, giving Alexandrians medicinal herbs and botanicals. Bring your mom to see the outstanding collection of shop furnishings, apothecary bottles and equipment, many still in their original locations. Moms are admitted free.

Woodlawn, Alexandria, Virginia
Mother's Day Tea and Tour, May 9, noon and 2:30 p.m.
Enjoy Mother's Day tea and hear a presentation about taking tea in the 1830s, when the mistress of the home was Martha Washington's granddaughter. Reservations required.

Photos top to bottom: Veronica Veronese by Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882); 1969 Woodstock festival field with the Museum at Bethel Woods at the top of the hill, courtesy of Nick Zungoli; mother and girl, courtesty of Gadsby’s Tavern; Stabler Leadbeater Apothecary courtesy of Anna Frame

Five Things to Do In: Morgantown, West Virginia

Zackquill Morgan first settled on the land that would become Morgantown in 1772. By 1863, Morgantown was the economic center for surrounding counties. Oil, coal, natural gas, timbering and railroad development began around the town. As the town became the financial hub of northern West Virginia towards the turn of the 20th century, the downtown saw more activity by banks, merchants, restaurants, hotels, lawyers and college students.

Woodburn Female Seminary donated its property to the state in 1866 to secure a land grant school. The West Virginia Legislature established an educational institution in Morgantown in 1867, through a Congressional Land Grant Act. This institution became West Virginia University in 1868.

Today, Morgantown is known for its Victorians, designed by Elmer Jacobs; its tradition of honoring West Virginia art and crafts; and for its citizens’ Mountaineer pride. Morgantown was named one of the Dozen Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 2007.

Here are five places to visit in Main Street Morgantown:

Old Stone House: Built c. 1785, the Old Stone House is the oldest building in the downtown area and, most likely, in the county. The Morgantown Service League bought this house in 1935 and restored it. Since then, the league has installed a shop that sells books and local arts and crafts, specializing in West Virginia culture.

Café Bacchus: Café Bacchus offers fine dining in the historic ambiance of a Queen Anne-style house. Very similar in design to the M.E. Parsonage, the house is a vernacular Queen Anne two-story brick building, with a steeply pitched, hipped roof.

Appalachian Gallery: Henry B. Lazier, druggist for Morgantown in the late 19th century, built this house, known as the Lazier/McNeill House, in 1875. Capt. Lazier served with the Company E, Seventh West Virginia Infantry during the Civil War and fought at Malvern Hill and Antietam. He commanded the left wing of the regiment and was severely wounded in the later altercation. He provided the town with pharmaceuticals until his death in 1899. Adam Lorentz, president of the Farmers and Merchants Bank, lived in the house as early as 1895. An insurance salesman, named Ed McNeill, lived in the house until the 1940s. The building is now home to Appalachian Gallery, which sells art by West Virginia artists.

Historic Clarion Hotel Morgan: The Morgantown Hotel Company began making plans for a new hotel on High Street in 1922. The building was completed in 1925, and the opening gala dinner and dance drew so many people, that it featured staggered dinner times to accommodate the large crowds. The Historic Clarion Hotel Morgan continues today as the premier downtown lodging destination.

Arrow Gift Shoppe: This three-story commercial brick building was built between 1927 and 1931. The first floor has always been occupied by retail businesses -- a meat market in the 1920s, followed by a succession of clothing stores. The upper floors are designed for professional office space. The original glass storefront was uncovered during a renovation in 1997. The building features marble base panels and etched fanlights over the picture windows that flank each side of the recessed entry. Today, this High Street shop specializes in gifts you can't find anywhere else. It is also your Don Knotts headquarters, honoring Morgantown's favorite son with one-of-a-kind souvenirs, such as postcards, license plates and T-shirts.

All of these sites, and many more, are featured in an audio walking tour, available at the Hotel Morgan.

Main Street Morgantown, a Gozaic partner, uses the National Trust Main Street Center’s proven historic preservation-based economic development methodology, the Main Street Four-Point Approach®, to create a vibrant district that embraces its heritage and creates new opportunities for old buildings.

Photos courtesy of Main Street Morgantown. From top to bottom: Metropolitan Theater; Old Stone House; Cafe Bacchus; Appalachian Gallery.