historic places
| 03/31/2010

When George Washington Vanderbilt collaborated with Fredrick Law Olmsted and Richard Morris Hunt on the creation of Biltmore, he was planning more than a home, he was building a legacy. George Vanderbilt’s vision for 125,000 acres in Western North Carolina came with his commitment to bring and teach modern skills and methods in agriculture, scientific forestry, horticulture, and land management to the area he fell in love with, and the place he would call home. 

historic places
| 03/31/2010

The Edison and Ford Winter Estates offers a unique combination of history, science, and literature that can be found nowhere else. This National Register Historic Site is one of the top most visited historic home sites in the nation and is a step back in time to the emergence of industrial and technological America as we know it today.

At the estates, we include educational information in our programs and tours that you can integrate back into your classroom. There are also materials provided to teachers and group leaders to prepare students with pre-visit study, a reading list and even a new orientation video which provides highlights of the field trip. This ensures that everyone involved gets the most out of their experience by letting the learning begin long before and continue after your visit to the estates. 

historic places
| 03/31/2010

Have you ever wanted to take your kids to a construction site where the “beep beep beep” of machines backing up is replaced by the ting ting ting of hammer to anvil and chisel to stone? Show them something that is not moving at warp speed?

A new build attraction with a twist, is slowly taking shape on a site about halfway between Little Rock, Ark., and Springfield, Mo., and close to Branson, Mo.

A life-sized 13th century fortified castle is raising with 45 foot high towers, five foot wide walls, a drawbridge and stone walls surrounding the inner expansive courtyard using the techniques, materials and rules of the Middle Ages.

historic places
KELLI ROBINSON | 03/31/2010

Once considered to be home to the “Fountain of Youth” by many, Florida has been the site of several historical events and home to many historical figures. From its residents to its culture, Florida offers many opportunities for visitors to the Sunshine State to learn about American history. The following are just a few of the many attractions and activities in Florida that will take any person on a journey through the past.

historic places
| 03/31/2010

When visitors think about staying in Palm Beach County, images of beautiful beaches, pristine golf courses and general fun in the sun fill their minds. When they arrive, all these things and more don’t disappoint their tropical musings.

But when informed cultural tourism adventurers go beyond the sun-soaked stereotypical experiences, they start to explore a rich, unique history that enhances their appreciation for such a beautiful vacation destination.

historic places
DENA BUSH | 03/31/2010

The West Florida Historic Preservation, Inc. (WFHPI) announces its second annual regional conference, “Celebrate Our Civic, Community and Cultural Heritage,” to be held in Historic Pensacola Village on April 24, 2010.

Historic Pensacola Village is a museum complex located in the heart of downtown Pensacola, which hosts tens of thousands of students on annual field trips each school year. WFHPI education staff consistently seeks ways to enhance visitation, especially during the current economic climate and in an environment of high-stakes testing. I am sure that schools and other museum sites throughout the country find themselves in similar situations. How can we meet our operational goals while facing these mounting obstacles?

science adventure
| 03/31/2010

Take your students into space at your local Challenger Learning Center and then return to the classroom for your debriefing!

Using space exploration as a theme and simulations as a vehicle, Challenger Center for Space Science Education and its network of nearly 50 Challenger Learning Centers, serve more than 400,000 students each year, and engage over 40,000 educators through missions, teacher workshops and other programs. The centers create positive educational experiences that raise students’ expectations of success, foster in them a long-term interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and inspire them to pursue studies and careers in these areas.

SEEN
| 03/31/2010

Every child learns differently, but few could argue that nothing encourages information retention more than an unforgettable personal experience. Designed by educators for educators, Zoo Atlanta’s award-winning programs bring a deeply personal context to any science class. With test scores at an all-time low in the U.S., Zoo Atlanta is in a unique position to work with teachers to improve science and environmental literacy. All programs are designed to meet Georgia Performance Standards and are created to support, not distract from, your existing curriculum.

historic places
LINDA ELLIFF | 03/31/2010

Unplug, unwind and jump in: For today’s on-the-go families, Tupelo, Mississippi is the ideal getaway, with a diverse mix of fun and exciting attractions that are totally unique. As original as Elvis, its favorite native son — as authentically American as the majestic herd of buffalo that roam the hillsides — as unspoiled as the scenic vistas of the historic Natchez Trace Parkway — as pulse-pounding as the dramatic Civil War battle reenacted every year, Tupelo is the ticket for an adventure packed with fascinating history, delightful recreation, up-to-the-minute shopping, and so much more.

In other words, “kids are welcome to pack their video games,” says Linda Elliff, director of sales for the Tupelo Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We just don’t think they’ll have much time for them.”

historic places
| 03/31/2010

Louisiana’s 21 State Parks, 17 Historic Sites, and one Preservation Area offer you and your family a uniquely rewarding experience of our state’s natural beauty and historical riches.