Our summer trip ended on October 29 at 1:30 p.m. when we pulled our Airstream into the driveway.
Now the unloading and winterizing needs to be done. Thankfully the weather is forecast to be nice until the weekend.
Monday, November 3, 2014
Friday, October 3, 2014
Pictures of White River Junction Area and Randolph Center, VT
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| Calvin Coolidge Homestead |
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| Coolidge Summer Whitehouse |
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| Ethan Allen Homestead |
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| Justin Morrell House |
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| On the bridge to the Morrell Ice House |
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| Add caption |
September 21-30.2014
From our campsite in Michigan we drove to Elkhart, Indiana and spent our 50th wedding anniversary in one of my favorite haunts, Shipshewana, IN. Shipshewana is an Amish town about 20 miles from Elkhart. We enjoyed breakfast at Rise n' Roll Bakery in Middlebury on our way into Shipshiwana. Enjoyed shopping there and I bought the two items I had planned to get: wind chimes for our pergola and several jars of Jo-Jo's Sweet Mustard. About 2 p.m. we headed back into Elkhart and enjoyed opening our anniversary cards from the kids and each other. We headed back to Middlebury and enjoyed our anniversary dinner at the Das Dutch Essenhaus. Excellent! On the 22nd we went back to Shipshewana to visit the Flea Market. It's about the same size as the Raleigh market and was fun enjoying the different vendors that were there.
On Wednesday, 24th, we headed to Rockford, IL where we dry camped in their parking lot overnight. From there it was on to Wisconsin Dells KOA. As a native Minnesotan, I'm ashamed to say I'd never been to the Dells! The KOA was very nice - thankfully we were on the hill, so the passing trains did not disturb us. The weather was fantastic, and we had campfires both Friday and Saturday evenings.
Friday was a perfect day to take a cruise on the Upper Dells, so after lunch we boarded the Belle Boyd which was named for a spy for Stonewall Jackson. We sat on the upper deck and enjoyed the sun and the view.
Circus World Museum in Baraboo, WI was our destination on Saturday. During the summer the Museum has a mini live circus, but since it was after Labor Day only the museum section was open. WE learned that the Ringling Brothers were from Baraboo, and until 1918 they wintered their circus in some of the very buildings we toured! I enjoyed learning about the Ringling's and of the buildings I think the costume building and the building containing the restored circus wagons were my favorites.
Sunday it was on to MN! We camped several days at the Big River Resort in Wabasha, MN and on Monday we visited with a cousin in Red Wing, MN. THe weather turned cold and cloudy, but cleared up around 3 p.m. Tuesday we were in Winona and on our way back stopped at the Lark's Toy Museum and store on Hwy 61 in Kellogg, MN. It was a fun place and brought back memories of our childhoods.
Wednesday we left Wabasha in pouring rain, and by the time we reached the Hy-Vee in Worthington, MN it was sunny and 78 degrees. Whew! What a change! Visited with Jack's brother and dry camped in the Hy-Vee parking lot overnight. The remainder of our trip will be spent visiting relatives and then home.
Our schedule is:
October 2-5 in Iroquois, SD
October 6 - Sioux Falls
October 7 - 18 Mankato, MN
Oct. 18-19 Fairmont, MN
Oct. 20 - 23 Worthington, MN
Oct. 24 - Turn the truck east and head toward Raleigh!
On Wednesday, 24th, we headed to Rockford, IL where we dry camped in their parking lot overnight. From there it was on to Wisconsin Dells KOA. As a native Minnesotan, I'm ashamed to say I'd never been to the Dells! The KOA was very nice - thankfully we were on the hill, so the passing trains did not disturb us. The weather was fantastic, and we had campfires both Friday and Saturday evenings.
Friday was a perfect day to take a cruise on the Upper Dells, so after lunch we boarded the Belle Boyd which was named for a spy for Stonewall Jackson. We sat on the upper deck and enjoyed the sun and the view.
Circus World Museum in Baraboo, WI was our destination on Saturday. During the summer the Museum has a mini live circus, but since it was after Labor Day only the museum section was open. WE learned that the Ringling Brothers were from Baraboo, and until 1918 they wintered their circus in some of the very buildings we toured! I enjoyed learning about the Ringling's and of the buildings I think the costume building and the building containing the restored circus wagons were my favorites.
Sunday it was on to MN! We camped several days at the Big River Resort in Wabasha, MN and on Monday we visited with a cousin in Red Wing, MN. THe weather turned cold and cloudy, but cleared up around 3 p.m. Tuesday we were in Winona and on our way back stopped at the Lark's Toy Museum and store on Hwy 61 in Kellogg, MN. It was a fun place and brought back memories of our childhoods.
Wednesday we left Wabasha in pouring rain, and by the time we reached the Hy-Vee in Worthington, MN it was sunny and 78 degrees. Whew! What a change! Visited with Jack's brother and dry camped in the Hy-Vee parking lot overnight. The remainder of our trip will be spent visiting relatives and then home.
Our schedule is:
October 2-5 in Iroquois, SD
October 6 - Sioux Falls
October 7 - 18 Mankato, MN
Oct. 18-19 Fairmont, MN
Oct. 20 - 23 Worthington, MN
Oct. 24 - Turn the truck east and head toward Raleigh!
Monday, September 22, 2014
Toledo, OH and Monroe, Michigan September 18-20, 2014
Toledo, OH was our next area to explore. We stopped at the Libbey Glass Outlet and the Museum of Art Glass where we enjoyed the exhibit of ancient glass and sampes of art glass from other countries. After lunch we went to Maumee, OH where we toured the Wolcott House Museum. The house was built by James Wolcott, an early settler, landowner, merchant, steamboat owner and civic leader. His wife Mary was the granddaughter of Miami Chief Little Turtle and daughter of a frontier scout, William WElls who served under Gen. Antony Wayne. It was built in 1835 and features black walnut woodwork, antebellu furnishings and family heirlooms.
Also on the property are a log house (1850), a salt-box house built in 1841, the Box Schoolhouse built in 1850 in Lucas Co., the Clover Leaf Depor (1888) and the Monclova County Church in 1901.
On Friday we went to the National Museum of the Great Lakes in Toledo and were amazed at the amount of information that was available. We spent 3 hours in the museum and could have spent another 2-3 hours exloring an ore ship that was the biggest ship on the Great Lakes at the time it was built.
Since we were camping in Monroe, Michigan we spent Saturday exploring the Monroe area. One of the newest National Historic Battlefields is the Raisin River battlefield of 1812. It was the bloodiest battle in the War of 1812. There were over 900 American soldiers in the battle, and only 30 survived. At the time the town of Monroe was called Frenchtown.
After lunch we went to the Monroe museum where we learned that George and Libby Custer were from Monroe and when George wasn't on campaigns, he and Libby lived in Monroe. After his death she returned to Monroe. We also learned that Monroe is the Corporate home of LazyBoy furniture and that Monroe shocks were invented here.
Sunday it was on to Elkhart, Indiana.
Also on the property are a log house (1850), a salt-box house built in 1841, the Box Schoolhouse built in 1850 in Lucas Co., the Clover Leaf Depor (1888) and the Monclova County Church in 1901.
On Friday we went to the National Museum of the Great Lakes in Toledo and were amazed at the amount of information that was available. We spent 3 hours in the museum and could have spent another 2-3 hours exloring an ore ship that was the biggest ship on the Great Lakes at the time it was built.
Since we were camping in Monroe, Michigan we spent Saturday exploring the Monroe area. One of the newest National Historic Battlefields is the Raisin River battlefield of 1812. It was the bloodiest battle in the War of 1812. There were over 900 American soldiers in the battle, and only 30 survived. At the time the town of Monroe was called Frenchtown.
After lunch we went to the Monroe museum where we learned that George and Libby Custer were from Monroe and when George wasn't on campaigns, he and Libby lived in Monroe. After his death she returned to Monroe. We also learned that Monroe is the Corporate home of LazyBoy furniture and that Monroe shocks were invented here.
Sunday it was on to Elkhart, Indiana.
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
New York, New York September 9 - 16, 2014
From Bennington we drove to the little town of Windsor, NY to a campground in the mountains. Because we were in a valley at the Lakeside Campground and had no cell phone service! We were told if we went up the "hill" and held the phone above our heads, we could get phone service...but I never figured out how I could talk if I was holding it above my head! The owners of the campground were delightful people.
We drove the 25 miles or so into Binghamton, NY to visit the Forum of Performing Arts to see information about the home town success, Rod Serling (Twilight Zone). Unfortunately the display had been taken down as the Forum was undergoing a facelift. Not to be deterred, we visited the Roberson Mansion and Museum.
Wednesday we went bck into Binghamton and did some shopping at the Oakdale Mall in Johnson City, a short drive from Binghamton. By the time we had explored the mall, we drove back into Binghamton, as the Phelps Mansion should be open for tours. We had an extremely knowledgable tour guide whose knowledge of Binghamton history was extensive. Our 45 minute tour extended into two HOURS! The Phelp's Mansion was the home of Sherman D. Phelps and was built in 1871 and has beautiful woodwork, period fixtures, and marble floors.
On our way back to camp we drove into Windsor and stopped at the train store......we now have 5 passenger cars for Jack's train layout. Great store!
Saturday we traveled west to Dewitteville KOA on the Chatauqua Lake. On Sunday we drove into Jamestown and enjoyed everything Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez. Lucy was born in Jamestown and we drove past her home there, her Grandfather's home in Celoron, and her gravesite. We went down memory lane in the Desilou Studio Museum which included film clips of I Love Lucy, her Emmy's, and replica of the NY apartment set and the California Hotel set. Next door was a museum on the personal lives of Lucy and Desi and included costumes, family pictures, and more film clips. Great fun!
Monday we visited the Robert Jackson Institute in Jamestown. Robert Jackson had been a small town lawyer in Jamestown until he met FDR and did extensive campaigning for FDR. As a result of his support, Roosevelt called him to Washington DC as Assistant Attorney General, then Attorney General and then the Supreme Court. Under Truman he was appointed the chief U. S. Counsel for the military trials at Nuremberg. He was the Chief American prosecuter for the International Military Tribual. The Institute today hosts conferences on the Constitution and Law.
We drove the 25 miles or so into Binghamton, NY to visit the Forum of Performing Arts to see information about the home town success, Rod Serling (Twilight Zone). Unfortunately the display had been taken down as the Forum was undergoing a facelift. Not to be deterred, we visited the Roberson Mansion and Museum.
Wednesday we went bck into Binghamton and did some shopping at the Oakdale Mall in Johnson City, a short drive from Binghamton. By the time we had explored the mall, we drove back into Binghamton, as the Phelps Mansion should be open for tours. We had an extremely knowledgable tour guide whose knowledge of Binghamton history was extensive. Our 45 minute tour extended into two HOURS! The Phelp's Mansion was the home of Sherman D. Phelps and was built in 1871 and has beautiful woodwork, period fixtures, and marble floors.
On our way back to camp we drove into Windsor and stopped at the train store......we now have 5 passenger cars for Jack's train layout. Great store!
Saturday we traveled west to Dewitteville KOA on the Chatauqua Lake. On Sunday we drove into Jamestown and enjoyed everything Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez. Lucy was born in Jamestown and we drove past her home there, her Grandfather's home in Celoron, and her gravesite. We went down memory lane in the Desilou Studio Museum which included film clips of I Love Lucy, her Emmy's, and replica of the NY apartment set and the California Hotel set. Next door was a museum on the personal lives of Lucy and Desi and included costumes, family pictures, and more film clips. Great fun!
Monday we visited the Robert Jackson Institute in Jamestown. Robert Jackson had been a small town lawyer in Jamestown until he met FDR and did extensive campaigning for FDR. As a result of his support, Roosevelt called him to Washington DC as Assistant Attorney General, then Attorney General and then the Supreme Court. Under Truman he was appointed the chief U. S. Counsel for the military trials at Nuremberg. He was the Chief American prosecuter for the International Military Tribual. The Institute today hosts conferences on the Constitution and Law.
Bennington, VT
September 4, 2014 we moved the trailer down Hwy 7 to Bennington and the beautiful Pine Hollow camp ground. The next morning we headed out to do some serious sightseeing. Our first stop was at the Robert Frost Stone House Museum in South Shaftsbury, Vermont where he wrote "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" in 1920. The exhibits are educational and literary, featuring Frost's life and poetry. They made you feel that you had met him and his family. From So. Shaftsbury we drove north to the Sugar Shack outside Arlington, VT. Norman Rockwell and his family lived there for many years before moving to Stockbridge, MA. The Sugar Shack has a vast collections of Rockwell prints and souvenirs of many types. We had seen this collection several years prior and at that time met a woman who had posed for Rockwell. While we were there this time, we met the niece of that same woman who was visiting with her husband from South Carolina!
After lunch we visited the Bennington Battle Monument, a 306 foot spire that dominates the Bennington skyline. On our way back to camp we stopped at the Old First Church in Old Bennington where Robert Frost is buried.
After lunch we visited the Bennington Battle Monument, a 306 foot spire that dominates the Bennington skyline. On our way back to camp we stopped at the Old First Church in Old Bennington where Robert Frost is buried.
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| Jean at the entrance to the Stone House Museum |
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| In front of the Stone House |
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| At the Bennington Battle Monument |
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| With a friend at the Monument |
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| The Old First Church |
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
White River Junction and Randolph Center, VT
We were pleasantly surprised when we rolled into the Pine Valley/Queechee KOA. Talk about a friendly welcome! The work staff was outside to greet us, and check in was fast and efficient. I think in the time we were there we NEVER saw a work camper who wasn't smiling. Our site was level, and we enjoyed staying with them. In fact, if we could have extended through Labor Day weekend, we would have!
Our first morning in the area we headed for Queechee Gorge, which is considered the "Grand Canyon" of Vermont. We stopped at the visitor's center and got information on hiking trails and opted to take one that would take us to a dam and pond. Unfortunately the trail, while well maintained, was heavily wooded, and we could not see anything until we arrived at the dam and pond. When we exited the Gorge we went up to the highway observation area where we could see the Gorge!
From the Gorge we drove to the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park in Woodstock, VT. We had a tour of a 1960 fallout shelter that was outfitted with cots, food, water, etc. Unfortunately there were many questions as to who would be allowed in, was there enough water, food, etc. for at least a 2-week stay for 80 people. After the tour of the fallout shelter we visited the Billings-Rockefeller mansion for a tour. The mansion was built in 1805-1807 for Charles Marsh, Sr. the father of George Perkins Marsh. Mr Marsh served seral terms in Congress and was an American diplomat. He wrote a book called MAN AND NATURE which gave an analysis of our impact on nature and his plea for responsible land stewardship. In 1869 the Marsh home was bought by the Billings family. Mr. Billings farmed and he developed one of the nations' first programs of scientific forest management so that the barren hills of VT which were stripped clean of trees to provide pasture of sheep could be reforested. Billings granddaughter, Mary French, married Laurance Rockefeller in 1934, hence the name Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller. Mr. Rockefeller helped make conservation and outdoor recreation an essential part of the national agenda. They gifted this land and Mansion to the National Park Service.
On Wednesday, 8/27 we drove to the President Calvin Coolidge birthplace in Plymouth Notch, VT. The site contains the little town much the way it existed as it was in 1923 when he became President. The Coolidge Homestead, general store, and Summer White House office are open to the public, as are the nearby operating cheese factory (started by Coolidge's father and other farmers), the church where he worshipped, the house where Coolidge was born, barns and several other buildings. A short distance away is the cemetery where Coolidge is buried with seven generations of his family. His grave has a simple granite marker, identical to all his ancestors. The only evidence of his Presidency is that there are two small American flags beside the stone. Coolidge was VP and was visiting his father in Plymouth Notch when word came that Warren Harding had died. In the middle of the night, standing by the light of a kerosene lamp in the family Homestead, Coolidge was sworn in as paresident by his father, the local notary public. His summer white house consisted of 3 tables in the dance hall above the general store.
Thursday we drove to Norwich, VT to tour the King Arthur Flour Company. Since it had a cafe and boasted of fresh pastries and desserts, I had my heart set on a piece of pie....no such luck. I had to settle for a chocolate chip cookie instead. Probably much better for my weight than the pie.
Friday we moved north on I-89 to the little town of Randolph Center, where we camped at the Lake Champagne campground over the Labor Day weekend. Our neighbor had a 1975 Airstream, and I really liked his little Jack Russel Terrier, Sophie. Friday afternoon we went into Randolph and checked out the town. Treated ourselves to ice cream before heading back to camp.
Saturday was spent in Montpelier, the state capitol. We toured the State House and visited the State History Museum - very well done!
Sunday we drove South on I-89 to Sharon and then on to Stafford, VT. The purpose was to visit the home of U.S. Sen. Justin Smith Morrill. The Morrill family owned the house until 1938, and the 17 room house contains original Morrill family furnishings. Sen. Morrill was the chief sponsor of the 1862 and 1890 Land Grant College Acts. These were the most important pieces of legislation for American higher education in the 19th century. For the first time American working class, women and minorities had the opportunity to attend college in practical subjects such as engineering, agriculture, and the sciences. Of note: North Carolina State University and North Carolina A & T are the land grant schools in NC.
On Labor Day we headed back to Shelburne, VT for 3 days before heading into Bennington, VT.
Our first morning in the area we headed for Queechee Gorge, which is considered the "Grand Canyon" of Vermont. We stopped at the visitor's center and got information on hiking trails and opted to take one that would take us to a dam and pond. Unfortunately the trail, while well maintained, was heavily wooded, and we could not see anything until we arrived at the dam and pond. When we exited the Gorge we went up to the highway observation area where we could see the Gorge!
From the Gorge we drove to the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park in Woodstock, VT. We had a tour of a 1960 fallout shelter that was outfitted with cots, food, water, etc. Unfortunately there were many questions as to who would be allowed in, was there enough water, food, etc. for at least a 2-week stay for 80 people. After the tour of the fallout shelter we visited the Billings-Rockefeller mansion for a tour. The mansion was built in 1805-1807 for Charles Marsh, Sr. the father of George Perkins Marsh. Mr Marsh served seral terms in Congress and was an American diplomat. He wrote a book called MAN AND NATURE which gave an analysis of our impact on nature and his plea for responsible land stewardship. In 1869 the Marsh home was bought by the Billings family. Mr. Billings farmed and he developed one of the nations' first programs of scientific forest management so that the barren hills of VT which were stripped clean of trees to provide pasture of sheep could be reforested. Billings granddaughter, Mary French, married Laurance Rockefeller in 1934, hence the name Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller. Mr. Rockefeller helped make conservation and outdoor recreation an essential part of the national agenda. They gifted this land and Mansion to the National Park Service.
On Wednesday, 8/27 we drove to the President Calvin Coolidge birthplace in Plymouth Notch, VT. The site contains the little town much the way it existed as it was in 1923 when he became President. The Coolidge Homestead, general store, and Summer White House office are open to the public, as are the nearby operating cheese factory (started by Coolidge's father and other farmers), the church where he worshipped, the house where Coolidge was born, barns and several other buildings. A short distance away is the cemetery where Coolidge is buried with seven generations of his family. His grave has a simple granite marker, identical to all his ancestors. The only evidence of his Presidency is that there are two small American flags beside the stone. Coolidge was VP and was visiting his father in Plymouth Notch when word came that Warren Harding had died. In the middle of the night, standing by the light of a kerosene lamp in the family Homestead, Coolidge was sworn in as paresident by his father, the local notary public. His summer white house consisted of 3 tables in the dance hall above the general store.
Thursday we drove to Norwich, VT to tour the King Arthur Flour Company. Since it had a cafe and boasted of fresh pastries and desserts, I had my heart set on a piece of pie....no such luck. I had to settle for a chocolate chip cookie instead. Probably much better for my weight than the pie.
Friday we moved north on I-89 to the little town of Randolph Center, where we camped at the Lake Champagne campground over the Labor Day weekend. Our neighbor had a 1975 Airstream, and I really liked his little Jack Russel Terrier, Sophie. Friday afternoon we went into Randolph and checked out the town. Treated ourselves to ice cream before heading back to camp.
Saturday was spent in Montpelier, the state capitol. We toured the State House and visited the State History Museum - very well done!
Sunday we drove South on I-89 to Sharon and then on to Stafford, VT. The purpose was to visit the home of U.S. Sen. Justin Smith Morrill. The Morrill family owned the house until 1938, and the 17 room house contains original Morrill family furnishings. Sen. Morrill was the chief sponsor of the 1862 and 1890 Land Grant College Acts. These were the most important pieces of legislation for American higher education in the 19th century. For the first time American working class, women and minorities had the opportunity to attend college in practical subjects such as engineering, agriculture, and the sciences. Of note: North Carolina State University and North Carolina A & T are the land grant schools in NC.
On Labor Day we headed back to Shelburne, VT for 3 days before heading into Bennington, VT.
Thursday, August 28, 2014
The Mansions of Newport, RI
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| The Breakers - the Vanderbilt Cottage |
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| Another view of the front of the Breakers |
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| Rear - just as grand as the front! |
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| A rather imposing front gate - The Breakers |
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| Rosecliff - the party mansion |
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| The rear of Rosecliff |
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| Other "cottages" in the background |
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| Chateau Sur Mer |
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| The Elms |
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| The rear of the Elms |
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| Marble House |
Monday, August 25, 2014
Burlington VT
We've had a busy time in Burlington area! The first two days we were here we revisited the Shelburne Museum. It really does take two days! The museum has 39 buildings on 45 acres of land and 150,000 artifacts! The museum was started by the Webb family who used their fortune to collect buildings and artifacts. One of the items that was collected was the Ticonderoga the last paddle wheel boat that traveled Lake Champlainel until the 1950's. The Webb's bought the boat and brought it two miles inland to the Museum. The Webbs had an eye for art, and their collection included Monet, Manet, Cassette, and they donated 2000 pieces to art galleries in New York and Chicago and the Shelburne Museum has an extensive collection as well.
The Ethan Allen Homestead is a rather "new" addition to the historical scene in Burlington. In 1981 a researcher was delving into the history of Ethan Allen and in looking at his papers, discovered the blueprint for Ethan's home with exact coordinates of where it was to be built. He found a white house with the approximate size on land where Ethan Allen's home was to be built. The house contained the 1700 timbers and inner space was indeed the footprint of Ethan's house. They dismantaled the house and moved the timbers a short distance away and rebuilt Ethan's house and it opened to the public in 1995.
On another day we drove about 35 miles NE to the Champlain islands. Our goal was Saint Anne's Shrine on Isle La Motte and the Hyde Log Cabin on grand Isle, VT. The Shrine is on the site of Fort St. Anne, Vermont's oldest settlement, constructed in 1666 where the first Mass in Vermont was celebrated. Although the Fort itself was shortlived, the site continued to be a favorite stopping place for Lake Champlain travelers. The Shrine includes a Cafe, Gift Shop, Picnic facilites, a chapel where Mass is offered on weekends. There are many grottos and statues on the grounds. In addition, a statue of Samuel de Champlain is located on the site, where it is claimed that he landed in 1609 .
On the way back from Isle La Motte we stopped at the Hyde Log Cabin and Block Schoolhouse. The log cabin was built by Jedediah Hyde Jr. in 1783. It is considered to be one of the oldest log cabins in the US. The cabin served as a home to various members of the Hyde family for nearly 150 years. The cabin contains some of the original furnishings, as well as furnishings from other homes in the county.
The Block Schoolhouse was originally knows as District #4 Schoolhouse, but became known as the Block Schoolhouse because of its construction of foot-thick squared-off logs. The school was built in 1814 and was used as a school, a church, and a town meeting hall.
On returning to the mainland we went north on I-89 to Fairfield to see the site of the birthplace of Chester A. Arthur, the 21st President of the United States. The site has a reconstructed homestead and offers an exhibit portraying Arthur's life and political career.
Moving on to the White River Junction region on the eastern central area of Vermont.
The Ethan Allen Homestead is a rather "new" addition to the historical scene in Burlington. In 1981 a researcher was delving into the history of Ethan Allen and in looking at his papers, discovered the blueprint for Ethan's home with exact coordinates of where it was to be built. He found a white house with the approximate size on land where Ethan Allen's home was to be built. The house contained the 1700 timbers and inner space was indeed the footprint of Ethan's house. They dismantaled the house and moved the timbers a short distance away and rebuilt Ethan's house and it opened to the public in 1995.
On another day we drove about 35 miles NE to the Champlain islands. Our goal was Saint Anne's Shrine on Isle La Motte and the Hyde Log Cabin on grand Isle, VT. The Shrine is on the site of Fort St. Anne, Vermont's oldest settlement, constructed in 1666 where the first Mass in Vermont was celebrated. Although the Fort itself was shortlived, the site continued to be a favorite stopping place for Lake Champlain travelers. The Shrine includes a Cafe, Gift Shop, Picnic facilites, a chapel where Mass is offered on weekends. There are many grottos and statues on the grounds. In addition, a statue of Samuel de Champlain is located on the site, where it is claimed that he landed in 1609 .
On the way back from Isle La Motte we stopped at the Hyde Log Cabin and Block Schoolhouse. The log cabin was built by Jedediah Hyde Jr. in 1783. It is considered to be one of the oldest log cabins in the US. The cabin served as a home to various members of the Hyde family for nearly 150 years. The cabin contains some of the original furnishings, as well as furnishings from other homes in the county.
The Block Schoolhouse was originally knows as District #4 Schoolhouse, but became known as the Block Schoolhouse because of its construction of foot-thick squared-off logs. The school was built in 1814 and was used as a school, a church, and a town meeting hall.
On returning to the mainland we went north on I-89 to Fairfield to see the site of the birthplace of Chester A. Arthur, the 21st President of the United States. The site has a reconstructed homestead and offers an exhibit portraying Arthur's life and political career.
Moving on to the White River Junction region on the eastern central area of Vermont.
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Hartford, Connecticut Area - 8/12-8/16 2014
We camped near Willington, CT which was about 24 miles from Hartford, CT. The campground was a bit primitive by current camping standards -- no cable, no wifi, no sewer.
On Wednesday we went into Hartford and visited the CT state history museum and then went across the street and toured the Capitol. It's a beautiful structure, and we were in time for a guided tour. Our guide wrote two books on baseball, and had been to the Cities numerous times to watch the Twins play.
Back to Hartford on Thursday to visit the homes of Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) and his backyard neighbor, Harriet Beecher Stowe. Our first guided tour was of Harriet Beecher Stowe's Victorian Gothic home. It was her final residence for twenty-three years. She, her husband, and twin daughters shared the home. During the last years her daughters ran the house and cared for Harriet, as she had become forgetful and unable to run the home.
In 1874 Samuel Clemens, a rising celebrity now known as Mark Twain, built a 25 room "Picturesque Gothic mansion that became the talk of the town. It was in this house that he worked on the novels that changed the face of American literature: The Adventures of Tom awyer, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Prince and the Pauper and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. Twain, his wife, and three girls lived here for 17 years before bankruptcy caused him to close up the house and move to Europe for 9 years where the cost of living was cheaper.
On Friday we drove 35 miles to Canterbury to visit the Prudence Crandall house. Prudence was a Quaker woman who had opened an academy for young women. In 1833 she admitted a black girl which resulted in all the white girls being pulled out by their parents. Prudence then traveled the countryside recruiting black girls to attend her academy. The townspeople were very upset with this and attacked the house, breaking windows and jailing Prudence. When released, Prudence and her family moved to New York, then Illinois, and finally to Kansas where she continued her teaching. Eventually she was vindicagd for her efforts and in 1975 was named the Connecticut state heroine.
Saturday we drove back to Hartford (MUCH easier finding parking places on Saturday!) where we visited the Butler-McCook house and gardens. The house was built by Daniel Butler in 1782 and his family would call it home for two centuries. Butlers and McCooks lived in the house until 1971. The house is the only 18th century house left on Hartford's Main Street, and one of only four remaining 18th century buildings in Hartford.
On Sunday we left for Colchester, Vermont.
On Wednesday we went into Hartford and visited the CT state history museum and then went across the street and toured the Capitol. It's a beautiful structure, and we were in time for a guided tour. Our guide wrote two books on baseball, and had been to the Cities numerous times to watch the Twins play.
Back to Hartford on Thursday to visit the homes of Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) and his backyard neighbor, Harriet Beecher Stowe. Our first guided tour was of Harriet Beecher Stowe's Victorian Gothic home. It was her final residence for twenty-three years. She, her husband, and twin daughters shared the home. During the last years her daughters ran the house and cared for Harriet, as she had become forgetful and unable to run the home.
In 1874 Samuel Clemens, a rising celebrity now known as Mark Twain, built a 25 room "Picturesque Gothic mansion that became the talk of the town. It was in this house that he worked on the novels that changed the face of American literature: The Adventures of Tom awyer, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Prince and the Pauper and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. Twain, his wife, and three girls lived here for 17 years before bankruptcy caused him to close up the house and move to Europe for 9 years where the cost of living was cheaper.
On Friday we drove 35 miles to Canterbury to visit the Prudence Crandall house. Prudence was a Quaker woman who had opened an academy for young women. In 1833 she admitted a black girl which resulted in all the white girls being pulled out by their parents. Prudence then traveled the countryside recruiting black girls to attend her academy. The townspeople were very upset with this and attacked the house, breaking windows and jailing Prudence. When released, Prudence and her family moved to New York, then Illinois, and finally to Kansas where she continued her teaching. Eventually she was vindicagd for her efforts and in 1975 was named the Connecticut state heroine.
Saturday we drove back to Hartford (MUCH easier finding parking places on Saturday!) where we visited the Butler-McCook house and gardens. The house was built by Daniel Butler in 1782 and his family would call it home for two centuries. Butlers and McCooks lived in the house until 1971. The house is the only 18th century house left on Hartford's Main Street, and one of only four remaining 18th century buildings in Hartford.
On Sunday we left for Colchester, Vermont.
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| Harriet Beecher Stowe home - Rear |
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| Mark Twain Home |
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| Front of Stowe residence |
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| Side view of Mark Twain's home |
Thursday, August 14, 2014
A visit to Rhode Island - Providence
From East Lyme, CT we drove to Rhode Island where we camped in North Scituate, about 25 miles from Providence. We visited Providence on our first day of touring. It was an easy drive to Providence, but getting around the historic district was a challenge especially around Brown University! Several roads were closed for repairs, which limited parking and traffic jams were the order of the day. Our first museum house was the Governor Lippitt house, and we parked about 8 blocks away and walked to it.
The New York Times calls the Lippitt house "one of the most complete, authentic and intact Victorian houses in the country." The house was built in 1865 by Henry Lippitt , a wealthy industrialist and vigorous politician. He built his mansion in the style of the day as a testament to his family's taste and ambition. The Lippitt had six children and a domestic staff. Their daughter Jeanie had scarlet fever and lost her hearing at the age of four. Mrs. Lippitt taught her to speak again and read lips.
The house was designated a National Historic Landmark and was occupied by the Lippitt family until it was donated to the Preserv Rhode Island in 1981. Later generations of the Lippitt family have continued the tradition of public service, producing three Rhode Island Governors, three U>S> senators, and a Secretary of the Navy.
We found a Johnny Rocket's and had lunch there (eat your hearts out Angie and Bridget), and then walked about 10 blocks to the John Brown home, one of early America's grandest mansions and Rhode
Island's most famous 18th century home. It was built in 1788 by John Brown, a wealthy businessman, patriot, privateer, policitian and slave trader. Brown University is named for him. He and his wife, Sarah, had four children. Early in the 20th century the home was bought by business tycoon Marsden Perry who turned the house into a stately monument to the Colonial past.
While John was a slave trader, his brother Moses Brown was an abolitionist and lived in Pawtucket, RI.
He was owner of the Slater Mill, which had been started by an English emigrant who brought his knowledge of the making of cotton thread from England to America with him. The mill is a National Historic Landmark and is considered the Birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. The mill showcases the early water-powered machinery used in making cotton into cotton thread which then could be loomed into clothing and household linens. The mill employed children ages 6-12 to work the machinery and as the machinery became larger and more intricate young women were hired to work. Their hours were increased and their pay cut and that caused them to strike and they successfully got their pay back, but no increase. It should be noted that working almost a 7-day week, they made less than $200/year.
The New York Times calls the Lippitt house "one of the most complete, authentic and intact Victorian houses in the country." The house was built in 1865 by Henry Lippitt , a wealthy industrialist and vigorous politician. He built his mansion in the style of the day as a testament to his family's taste and ambition. The Lippitt had six children and a domestic staff. Their daughter Jeanie had scarlet fever and lost her hearing at the age of four. Mrs. Lippitt taught her to speak again and read lips.
The house was designated a National Historic Landmark and was occupied by the Lippitt family until it was donated to the Preserv Rhode Island in 1981. Later generations of the Lippitt family have continued the tradition of public service, producing three Rhode Island Governors, three U>S> senators, and a Secretary of the Navy.
We found a Johnny Rocket's and had lunch there (eat your hearts out Angie and Bridget), and then walked about 10 blocks to the John Brown home, one of early America's grandest mansions and Rhode
Island's most famous 18th century home. It was built in 1788 by John Brown, a wealthy businessman, patriot, privateer, policitian and slave trader. Brown University is named for him. He and his wife, Sarah, had four children. Early in the 20th century the home was bought by business tycoon Marsden Perry who turned the house into a stately monument to the Colonial past.
While John was a slave trader, his brother Moses Brown was an abolitionist and lived in Pawtucket, RI.
He was owner of the Slater Mill, which had been started by an English emigrant who brought his knowledge of the making of cotton thread from England to America with him. The mill is a National Historic Landmark and is considered the Birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. The mill showcases the early water-powered machinery used in making cotton into cotton thread which then could be loomed into clothing and household linens. The mill employed children ages 6-12 to work the machinery and as the machinery became larger and more intricate young women were hired to work. Their hours were increased and their pay cut and that caused them to strike and they successfully got their pay back, but no increase. It should be noted that working almost a 7-day week, they made less than $200/year.
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| Lippitt Home - fountain |
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| Lippitt Home Museum Sign |
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| The Lippitt Mansion |
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| John Brown/Marsden Perry Home |
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| On the front steps to Brown/Perry Home |
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| John Brown House Sign |
Pictures from New London, CT
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| New London - Avery-Copp House |
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| New London - Shaw Mansion |
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| New London - 1600 Hempstead House |
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| New London - the Stone House |
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| Hale Homestead - preserving eggs for winter |
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| Egg coated in lard and placed in sand in crock |
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| At the Hale birthplace |
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| The Hale Homestead |
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Nathan Hale Birthplace, Coventry Connecticut
We visited the Nathan Hale School in New London earlier in our stay here. On our last full day here we traveled 26 miles to Coventry, Connecticut to see where this hero was born. The house he was born in is no longer there, as the family of 12 had outgrown their 800 square foot house and had started building a bigger home in back of the original structure. Nathan and two of his brothers joined the Army of the Revolution and went off to war. Meanwhile his father and remaining family built the current house. Nathan never saw it finished.
George Washington asked for volunteers to spy on the British, and 21-year-old Nathan Hale volunteered. He had no spy training and was caught by the British on his first assignment. As he was being hung, he said "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."
The house we visited remained in the family until 1913. A rich collector purchased the house and we have him to thank for saving this historic site.
When touring the house today, we learned about the colonial way of saving eggs over the winter. The eggs are totally covered with lard and placed in a crock and covered with sand. That preserved the eggs for use during the winter.
This was an interesting tour, and we totally enjoyed our guide. She gave us an assignment since we're from Minnesota --- why is there a statue of Nathan Hale on Summit Avenue in St. Paul????
George Washington asked for volunteers to spy on the British, and 21-year-old Nathan Hale volunteered. He had no spy training and was caught by the British on his first assignment. As he was being hung, he said "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."
The house we visited remained in the family until 1913. A rich collector purchased the house and we have him to thank for saving this historic site.
When touring the house today, we learned about the colonial way of saving eggs over the winter. The eggs are totally covered with lard and placed in a crock and covered with sand. That preserved the eggs for use during the winter.
This was an interesting tour, and we totally enjoyed our guide. She gave us an assignment since we're from Minnesota --- why is there a statue of Nathan Hale on Summit Avenue in St. Paul????
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
East Lyme, New London and Niantic CT
We arrived in East Lyme on July 30 and on the 31st we headed to New London and hoped to find a Visitor's Center. What a wild goose chase! There IS NO VISITOR's CENTER. We found that there are several historic restoration organizations in the area and NONE of them speak to each other! Warring tribes!
We got fed up so parked the car and started walking and we discovered on the Nathan Hale schoolhouse. Nathan Hale is quite the hero in Connecticut. He was hung as a spy and his famous comment was "I regret that I have only one life to give for my country". Thankfully there was a young history major volunteering there and he gave us suggestions of things to see. We discovered that historic sights are only open from 1-4, and usually Friday through Sunday.
Our next venture was over to Groton, CT across the Thames River from New London where we visited the Avery-Copp house/museum. The house was built in 1800 and contains original furnishings passed from generation togeneration in the same family. The docent there suggested we go to the Fort Griswold bttlefield State Park just up the road. This was the site of the battle of 9/6/1781 when 800 British forces commanded by Benedict Arnold defeated 165 local patriots. In the bloody massacre 85 Americans were killed and 35 were wounded. Down slope from the Fort is the home of defender Ensign Ebenezer Avery which sheltered many woulded after the battle. We toured the house and also the museum on the site of the fort.
Our final stop that day was the home of Nathaniel Shaw. The docent was a Wolfpack grad whose hubby is in the Nuclear Sub force. We talked about the Sadlacks closure and the roundabout on Hillsborough St. The Shaw house was the home of Nathaniel Shaw, commissioned Naval Agent for Connecticut by the Continental Congress. Late in the summer of 1781, near the end of the war, the British decided to punish New London. They sent 1600 trooops under Benedict Arnold to destroy the city. The Shaw house was a primary target. On that day close of 150 buildings were destroyed, but not the Shaw Mansion. The Shaw house also boasts that George Washington slept there.
Sunday, August 3 we drove back to New London and toured the Hempstead Houses. The first house was built in 1678 and is the oldest in the city. The other was built in 1759 by a ropemaker. Residents over the years included one of New London's early civic leaders, at least two enslaved people, a hero of the American Revolution and some of the city's leading abolitionists. Both houses survived the burning of New London by Benedict Arnold in 1781. We drove back to East Lyme and visited the 1850 farm home - the Smith Harris House.
We got fed up so parked the car and started walking and we discovered on the Nathan Hale schoolhouse. Nathan Hale is quite the hero in Connecticut. He was hung as a spy and his famous comment was "I regret that I have only one life to give for my country". Thankfully there was a young history major volunteering there and he gave us suggestions of things to see. We discovered that historic sights are only open from 1-4, and usually Friday through Sunday.
Our next venture was over to Groton, CT across the Thames River from New London where we visited the Avery-Copp house/museum. The house was built in 1800 and contains original furnishings passed from generation togeneration in the same family. The docent there suggested we go to the Fort Griswold bttlefield State Park just up the road. This was the site of the battle of 9/6/1781 when 800 British forces commanded by Benedict Arnold defeated 165 local patriots. In the bloody massacre 85 Americans were killed and 35 were wounded. Down slope from the Fort is the home of defender Ensign Ebenezer Avery which sheltered many woulded after the battle. We toured the house and also the museum on the site of the fort.
Our final stop that day was the home of Nathaniel Shaw. The docent was a Wolfpack grad whose hubby is in the Nuclear Sub force. We talked about the Sadlacks closure and the roundabout on Hillsborough St. The Shaw house was the home of Nathaniel Shaw, commissioned Naval Agent for Connecticut by the Continental Congress. Late in the summer of 1781, near the end of the war, the British decided to punish New London. They sent 1600 trooops under Benedict Arnold to destroy the city. The Shaw house was a primary target. On that day close of 150 buildings were destroyed, but not the Shaw Mansion. The Shaw house also boasts that George Washington slept there.
Sunday, August 3 we drove back to New London and toured the Hempstead Houses. The first house was built in 1678 and is the oldest in the city. The other was built in 1759 by a ropemaker. Residents over the years included one of New London's early civic leaders, at least two enslaved people, a hero of the American Revolution and some of the city's leading abolitionists. Both houses survived the burning of New London by Benedict Arnold in 1781. We drove back to East Lyme and visited the 1850 farm home - the Smith Harris House.
Friday, August 1, 2014
Hans Herr House 1719
Tuesday after leaving Landis Valley Village we drove a few miles to the Hans Herr House. We arrived just in time for the 3 p.m. tour. Our tour guide had lived on the site for several years in the building that now holds the Visitor Center.
The 1719 Hans Herr House is the oldest standing structure in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. It was built by Mennonite settlers who came to Penn's Woods seeking religious freedom. The home is a magnificent example of medieval German architecture. The building is constructed of sandstone which is prevalent in that area. We were able to climb the steep steps into the second floor and went down into the vegetable cellar. It's unusual to be able to access those spaces in historic homes.
From the Hans Herr House we drove to Bird-in-Hand, a small Amish community with several stores. For us, the attraction was the Bird-in-Hand Amish restaurant! YUM!!!!
The 1719 Hans Herr House is the oldest standing structure in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. It was built by Mennonite settlers who came to Penn's Woods seeking religious freedom. The home is a magnificent example of medieval German architecture. The building is constructed of sandstone which is prevalent in that area. We were able to climb the steep steps into the second floor and went down into the vegetable cellar. It's unusual to be able to access those spaces in historic homes.
From the Hans Herr House we drove to Bird-in-Hand, a small Amish community with several stores. For us, the attraction was the Bird-in-Hand Amish restaurant! YUM!!!!
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| Hans Herr House 1719 |
Pictures of Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum Pictures
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| Conestoga Wagon |
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| Country Store - 1900 |
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| Landis Valley House Hotel 1856 |
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| Ourside the General Store |
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| Landis Brothers House Built in 1870 |
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| Maple Grove School - 1890 |
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| Re-created Log German Farmstead of 1750-1800 period |
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Landis Valley, Pennsylvania July 26-29
Saturday we backtracked a bit and went north west to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. It isn't our first trip -- it's our third. We camped in a quiet campground called Shady Grove near Denver, PA. We spent our time in Ephrata and from camp ventured to the Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum in Lancaster.
The Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum is dedicated to telling the history of the Pennsylvania Germans--or Pennsylvania Duth as they are also known. A hotel was built there in 1856 called the Landis Valley House and a commmunity grew up around the hotel and became known as the landis Valley. Brothers Henry K. and George D. Landis grew up in this community and began collecting local antique and established a private museum here in 1925. The Commonwealth of PA acquired their museum in 1953 and expanded the museum. There are 100 acres, 50 buildigs and about 100,000 objects.
By 1750 about 1/3 of PA's inhabitants originated from areas adjacent to the Rhine River in what is today southwest Germany, Switzerland and Alsace. Their religious bckgrounds included Lutherans, Reformed, Amish, Mennonites, Dunkards, Moravians, Schwenkfelders, Roman Catholic and many others. In addition to the hotel, there were farms, trades shops, a Mennonite Church, and a livestock auction.
We were there on Monday afternoon and took an hour tour of the site and watched the introduction movie, but ran out of time, so went back on Tuesday morning to visit the remainder of the buildings. We enjoyed talking to broom makers who make brooms in the Appalacian style. We also met a shoe maker who told us about the shoes he was making, and the various types of leather and the types of people who would have worn them.
It was an interesting site to visit and would highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in German life in colonial America.
The Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum is dedicated to telling the history of the Pennsylvania Germans--or Pennsylvania Duth as they are also known. A hotel was built there in 1856 called the Landis Valley House and a commmunity grew up around the hotel and became known as the landis Valley. Brothers Henry K. and George D. Landis grew up in this community and began collecting local antique and established a private museum here in 1925. The Commonwealth of PA acquired their museum in 1953 and expanded the museum. There are 100 acres, 50 buildigs and about 100,000 objects.
By 1750 about 1/3 of PA's inhabitants originated from areas adjacent to the Rhine River in what is today southwest Germany, Switzerland and Alsace. Their religious bckgrounds included Lutherans, Reformed, Amish, Mennonites, Dunkards, Moravians, Schwenkfelders, Roman Catholic and many others. In addition to the hotel, there were farms, trades shops, a Mennonite Church, and a livestock auction.
We were there on Monday afternoon and took an hour tour of the site and watched the introduction movie, but ran out of time, so went back on Tuesday morning to visit the remainder of the buildings. We enjoyed talking to broom makers who make brooms in the Appalacian style. We also met a shoe maker who told us about the shoes he was making, and the various types of leather and the types of people who would have worn them.
It was an interesting site to visit and would highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in German life in colonial America.
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Pictures - Winterthur and Longwood Gardens
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| Diningroom at Winterthur 5th floor |
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| Flower bed in formal garden at Longwood |
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| A beautiful Lily pad flower - Longwood |
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| Open Air theater Fountain - Longwood |
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| In the Granite Quarry Garden - Winterthur |
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| Furniture Gallery at Winterthur |
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| My Favorite Garden - the Italian Water Garden at Longwood |
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| Jack in the bird's nest - Enchanted Garden - Winterthur |
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| Children's cottage in Enchanted Garden - Winterthur |
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| One of the Pipe rooms at Longwood Gardens |
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| Reflecting Pool at Winterthur |
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