Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for U.S. travel
The Little Church Around the Corner
By Linda Tancs
Known officially as the Church of the Transfiguration, the picturesque Episcopal church at 1 East 29th Street in New York City is better known by locals and tourists as “The Little Church Around the Corner.” The nickname dates back to 1870, when Joseph Jefferson (famous for his portrayal of Rip Van Winkle on stage) had requested a funeral at another church for his fellow actor and friend, George Holland. The priest refused, subscribing to a common belief of the time that actors lived loose lives and were unworthy of Christian burial, and suggested that “the little church around the corner” might be more hospitable. And so it was. To this day the church maintains close ties to the theater community. Made of brick and timber, this architectural gem is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the city’s landmarked properties.
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Florida’s Oldest House
By Linda Tancs
In St. Augustine, Florida, the Oldest House Museum Complex features Florida’s oldest house (over three centuries old), the Gonzalez-Alvarez House. The dwelling is a National Historic Landmark and an example of the oldest Spanish Colonial structure in existence in Florida. Docents lead guests through a 25-minute guided tour. The house is one of many stops along the Red Sightseeing Trains route.
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From Ore to Orchards
By Linda Tancs
The area in and around Hacklebarney State Park in Chester, New Jersey, is rich in history—from ore to orchards. The park itself was a mined iron ore site in the 19th century. Nowadays, it’s a favorite place for avid anglers, hikers and picnickers. The Black River that cascades amidst the boulder remnants of this moraine provides excellent stream fishing year round. For hikers and naturalists, the park offers three rare and endangered plant species: American ginseng, leatherwood and Virginia pennywort. Over 100 bird species and wildlife such as black bears, woodchucks, deer and foxes also live in the park. Less than a mile away is a cider mill now in its seventh generation, where apple and pumpkin picking among the orchards is a popular activity this time of year.
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Life Along the Bayou
By Linda Tancs
Ever wonder what life was like along the bayou in colonial days? You’ll find out at the Pitot House, the only Creole colonial country house that is open to the public in New Orleans. Located on historic Bayou St. John (accessible via the Carrollton Spur streetcar), the site is named for James Pitot, the first mayor of New Orleans after the city’s incorporation, who lived at the residence in the early 1800s. Guided tours are available from Wednesday through Saturday.
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Putting Rockford on the Map
By Linda Tancs
Company executive Robert Hall Tinker wanted to build a home that would put Rockford, Illinois, on the map. He succeeded in stunning fashion with a Swiss cottage on the limestone bluff overlooking Kent Creek. Inspired by his tour of Europe in 1862, Tinker Swiss Cottage is surrounded by 27 acres of greenery and is one of only a handful of Swiss-style homes remaining in the United States. A time capsule of the Victorian era, the home and its furnishings now comprise a museum operated by the local park district. Today is one of several Donation Days when entry to the museum is free for Illinois residents. Guided tours are required due to the nature of the artifacts.
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A Storied Place
By Linda Tancs
Located between the White House and the U.S. Capitol, the Newseum is—you guessed it—a museum about news and journalism. This interactive facility is loaded with exhibits, videos and archives of front pages. You’ll also find a part of the Berlin wall and a watch tower, a 9/11 area, a Boston marathon area, mini theaters with short shows and a huge FBI area. And don’t miss the sweeping vistas from the top floor. News junkies, rejoice!
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African Meeting in America
By Linda Tancs
In Boston, Massachusetts, the African Meeting House is the oldest African edifice in America, and the adjacent Abiel Smith School is the first building in the nation constructed for the sole purpose of housing a black public school. Located on Beacon Hill, both structures were built in the 1800s and represent the crown jewels of the Museum of African American History. Once the heart of Boston’s 19th century free black community, the historic landmarks are a testament to courage, ingenuity and perseverance. You can discover the stories of courageous Americans on a guided walking tour of two trails highlighting black heritage and community. The museum’s branch in Nantucket hosts another meeting house and heritage trail.
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The Birthplace of American Railroading
By Linda Tancs
The birthplace of American railroading is a 40-acre historic site in Baltimore, Maryland. It incorporates the place where the first stone of the Baltimore & Ohio Rail Road was laid on July 4, 1828, by Charles Carroll, the last living signer of the Declaration of Independence. The B&O was the first common carrier railroad in the Western Hemisphere, and the B&O Railroad Museum preserves and interprets architecturally and historically significant buildings and structures. For instance, the Mt. Clare depot is the oldest surviving building on the museum’s campus, built in 1851 to provide improved passenger service for Baltimore’s southwest neighborhoods. But the most iconic structure is likely The Roundhouse, a passenger car repair shop built in 1884. Alongside it is the Annex, which serves as the museum’s main entrance.
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Civil War Medicine
By Linda Tancs
Frederick, Maryland, was at the crossroads of the Civil War, witnessing multiple invasions, including two major battles (South Mountain and Monocacy) involving hundreds of thousands of Union and Confederate soldiers marching through the community. Given the city’s witness to history, it’s an appropriate location for the National Museum of Civil War Medicine, a research facility boasting five galleries, over 1200 artifacts and knowledgeable docents. As the name implies, the museum focuses on the medical story of the war.
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Life in a Glass Box
By Linda Tancs
Located on a 62-acre secured private estate in Plano, Illinois, Farnsworth House is an illustration of life in a glass box. Boasting continuous glass walls, the International Style-house was designed in 1945 by illustrious architect Mies van der Rohe for Dr. Edith Farnsworth. Her country retreat along the Fox River was intended to complement and reflect its natural surroundings. The view is particularly striking in the evening, which is why moonlight tours are back by popular demand. Running at the full moon from May to October, the tours begin at dusk and return after dark. The property is otherwise open from April to November. Buy tickets in advance to guarantee access.
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