A trip to a rebuilt or restored historic landmark is like traveling back in time. Understanding the origins of today’s society lends a critical perspective, allowing you to see why people made the decisions that they did.
It deepens appreciation and gratitude for their sacrifices while inspiring you to do better to make their legacy proud.
Where should you visit when you have a yen for history? Add these seven must-see historic locations to your road trip itinerary.
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The Importance of Preserving History
According to philosopher George Santayana, those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.
The history of humanity may hold many triumphs, but it is also full of strife, war, and oppression. It is only by honestly confronting reality that humans have hopes of changing it.
Understanding the multiple factors that have led to where we are today is a necessary prerequisite for inspiring social improvement.
On a more pragmatic and less philosophical level, studying historic architecture and earlier ways of life fascinates the imagination. They also teach practical lessons and inspire modern techniques.
For example, some of the chemicals used for typical cleaning and sealing can stain or discolor masonry — which suggests equally unpleasant effects on human health.
Recent studies have likewise confirmed the link between VOCs and cancer.
7 Must-See Rebuilt and Restored Historic Landmarks
Add these must-see rebuilt and restored historic landmarks to your next road trip itinerary.
1. Valley Forge
It’s winter. You are at war. You lack food, clothing, and shelter against the bitter cold. Those were the conditions the hardy troops at Valley Forge faced from 1777 through 1778 during the Revolutionary War.
To stay warm, the service members constructed wooden cabins, along with trenches, earthen forts called redoubts, and a state-of-the-art bridge across the Schuylkill River.
At the time, Valley Forge was the fourth-largest city in the colonies and was occupied by women and children as well as soldiers. Many people today regard Valley Forge as the birthplace of the American army.
Today, you can take a 10-mile driving tour consisting of nine major stops with various monuments and areas of historical importance.
2. Colonial Williamsburg
No history buff’s study of early American history is complete without a visit to Colonial Williamsburg. Less a single historic landmark than an entire restored town, it still boasts many of the same structures as yesteryear.
It bills itself as the world’s largest living history museum, and it lives up to its name.
Throughout the town, you’ll find various historic sites and witness trades such as blacksmithing as they were done years ago.
You’ll also discover multiple museums and arboretums, complete with stunning gardens where you can take a picnic lunch. Book your tickets in advance for special events, such as haunted Williamsburg ghost tours.
3. Cadron Trading Post
You’ll find the ruins of the Cadron Trading Post inside Cadron Settlement Park, a historic landmark that was the region’s first permanent habitation.
Within its peaceful settings, you’ll find restored log cabins that transport you back in time. It’s the perfect place for a picnic, helping you keep your road trip to this must-see destination budget-friendly.
Cadron Settlement Park lies only a few minutes away from other rebuilt historic landmarks. The Robinson Historical District features stunning Victorian homes for architecture aficionados.
The Village of Pickles Gap remains lined with tiny stores to this day, letting you enjoy handcrafted sweets or observe blacksmiths at their labor. The Faulkner County Museum lies in the old Missouri-Pacific Railroad Depot, acting as a doorway to Conway, Arkansas’ past.
4. Greenfield Village
Greenfield Village features seven separate historic districts for you and the family to have fun while learning about the nation’s past.
At Working Farms, you’ll investigate how agriculture has changed over the years to keep America fed. At Thomas Edison’s Menlo Park Complex, you’ll discover how the famous inventor brought his ideas to life.
At Railroad Junction, you’ll deepen your understanding of how this part of the nation’s infrastructure served a pivotal role in its development.
5. The Alamo
No list of must-see historical landmarks is complete if you don’t remember the Alamo.
The park is currently in the process of preserving the church and long barrack, giving you an inside look at restoration in action.
Governor Greg Abbott appropriated more than $400 million to improve the site in June of 2023, and the facility also hopes to recapture the original battle site and build a new visitors center to welcome guests.
6. Old Town Cottonwood and Jerome
The Old West is a veritable treasure trove of history, with ghost towns dotting the landscape. One that made it into the modern day is Old Town Cottonwood.
There, you’ll find a thriving old town where you can tour multiple historic buildings or catch a ride on the Verde Canyon Railroad.
Just up the road, about 20 minutes, is a true ghost town, Jerome. Many of the historic structures are slowly sliding down the mountain, so see them while you can.
You can enjoy a killer lunch at the Asylum restaurant, located in the old Grand Hotel, which is decidedly haunted by at least one spirit named Molly.
7. Alcatraz
While you’ll need to take a ferry to visit this westernmost must-see historic landmark, it’s worth risking seasickness. The reservation system helps preserve this building from the harsh elements swirling around the ocean waters off San Francisco.
This landmark’s unique location makes restoration work especially complicated. View the guardhouse, one of the complex’s oldest buildings, and learn how the Native American occupation of the 1960s led to the preservation of the water tower.
Must-See Historic Landmarks
Studying history lets you learn from the past and gain a deeper understanding of why the world is the way it is today.
These must-see historic landmarks take you back in time, giving you a glimpse of what life was like when folks like George Washington, Davy Crockett, and Al Capone made their mark.
