The General Warren Inne in Malvern, Pennsylvania is a beautifully restored historic tavern that offers unique lodging, excellent cuisine, and a great history lesson. The tavern has served in a multitude of capacities over its 275 years of existence and even played a role in the American Revolution! If you are ever in Philadelphia or…
George Berkeley’s Whitehall (Middletown, RI)
Middletown, Rhode Island of the early 1700s painted quite the pastoral scene- it was almost entirely farmland, with small farm houses and barns sparsely dotting the landscape. This rural lifestyle was lived out of necessity by farmers, who used the nearby port town of Newport to ship their product. But some were drawn to Middletown…
Historic Schools of Aquidneck Island
Aquidneck Island, known originally Rhode Island, was once inhabited by the Narragansett tribe and settled by colonists in 1638. Early in its history, the colonists built schools to educate their children, which showed the importance of education in society, even in communities that were just beginning. Today, there are a few 18th and 19th-century schoolhouses…
Publick House Historic Inn (Sturbridge, MA)
Sturbridge, Massachusetts is a beautiful historic town that is a favorite of local New Englanders and travelers alike. From Old Sturbridge Village (New England’s largest living history museum), the quaint shops and antique stores, to the Publick House Historic Inn, Sturbridge is packed with American history and has plenty to explore! History In 1771, Colonel…
Ye Olde Tavern (West Brookfield, MA)
Proudly sitting on Main Street in historic West Brookfield, Massachusetts, Ye Olde Tavern has served food and drink to travelers for 260 years. Ye Olde Tavern is considered one of the oldest taverns in the United States and has maintained a colonial charm while offering a modern dinner menu and bar scene to locals and…
John Brown House (Providence, RI)
The Brown family was one of the most prominent families of early Providence, Rhode Island. They were merchants, statesmen and community advocates who worked to better their city and their nation (although their involvement in the slave trade has been a horrendous blight upon the family name). John Brown and his brothers were instrumental in…
Lexington Battle Green
The first shots of the American Revolution rang out on Lexington Common in the early morning hours of April 19, 1775. Although years of tension and sporadic violence preceded this event, many consider the fight in Lexington as the beginning of the American Revolution (although loyal citizens of Concord will argue otherwise- an ongoing debate…
The Battle of Bunker Hill
The Battle of Bunker Hill, which was primarily fought on nearby Breed’s Hill, was the first major head-to-head battle of the American Revolution. Today you can still visit the legendary site, which is now completely surrounded by the city of Charlestown. But despite the passage of time, historic Charlestown and Americans from near and far…
Providence Athenaeum
Despite the prevalence and normalcy of books in our society today, they have not always been accessible to the average American. In the 18th and 19th centuries, it was usually only the well-educated and wealthy that owned books (a young Abraham Lincoln walked miles to borrow a book); therefore, communities often rallied together to create…
Trinity Church (Newport, RI)
Perhaps the most iconic image of a colonial townscape is the church spire that towers above the rest. As a symbol of the religion that early American communities often centered around, these churches served an important role in all aspects of the people’s lives. Trinity Church in Newport, Rhode Island is the quintessential New England…
The Mystery of the Newport Tower
Newport, Rhode Island is known for its history- from its vast collection of colonial homes to its role in early America, it has no shortage of historic sites. One of the more mysterious and intriguing historic structures in town is the Newport Tower (also known as the Touro Tower and the Old Stone Mill). The…
The Battle of Groton Heights
The Battle of Groton Heights was the last major military engagement fought in the northern theater of the Revolutionary War and the largest battle fought in Connecticut. But what really makes it such an important battle to study is due to the egregious actions taken by the British and that their commander was none other…
Redwood Library & Athenaeum (Newport, RI)
The quaint coastal town of Newport, Rhode Island has a beautiful and unique history, marked by some of the oldest institutions in America. In fact, Newport’s Redwood Library and Athenaeum is the oldest purpose-built lending library in the United States! This unassuming building exudes a rich literary, art and educational history that is cherished by…
Revolutionary War Fort Lee
Following the British evacuation of Boston, General George Washington and his army had no idea where the afloat British Army would land; however, the importance of New York was never in question. Washington moved his Army overland to occupy New York City and to fortify the American defenses along the crucial Hudson River. Today, you…
Washington’s Crossing of the Delaware
George Washington and his army’s daring crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas Night in 1776 is perhaps one of the most famous events in American history. Children learn about the legendary crossing in grade school and certainly most Americans are familiar with Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze’s dramatic 1851 painting, Washington Crossing the Delaware. But while…