Confederate Memorial Hall-New Orleans, LA

[Please excuse the delay in posting- here we go with another post!]

When we were in New Orleans back in December we had to kill some time since the National WWII Museum was closed for a special event in the morning. This was across the street from the parking lot where we parked. Now, most museums for me you don't have to sell me on. Their sign did it all for me "Louisiana's Oldest Museum" how could I not go? 

The Confederate Memorial Hall Museum was established in 1891.  It contains the second largest collection of Confederate Civil War items in the world. The one downside I always find to museums is that I wasn't allowed to take pictures. They do let you take pictures of the hall itself, but not of any specific artifacts. I understand why but it is always a bummer. 

I always enjoy looking at uniforms from back in the day. They were so small compared to us now. Unfortunately since we visited back in December I can't remember any specific things that stood out to me. Definitely worth checking out if you are in NOLA. Here is a view of the right and left. 

If you choose to visit just keep in mind they close for Mardi Gras. They are open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm. 
 

The National WWII Museum-New Orleans, LA

This past weekend we took a weekend trip to New Orleans, LA. I'm sure most people go to NOLA to get drunk on Bourbon, eat beignets from Cafe Du Monde (yum!), or to go hang out in the French Quarter. My first thought when we chose our destination was, "Oh, they have a WWII Museum that I've heard is great!" My husband is used to this by now so we decided to go there once we arrived in town. We were disappointed to learn that they were closed for an event that morning, but we were able to come back that afternoon and again the next day.

The National WWII Museum  is open seven days a week from 9am - 5pm. There is so much to do and according to their website they recommend 3 hours for the exhibits. When we went on Friday and Saturday we spent about a total of 6 hours combined. We did everything the main exhibit, Road to Berlin (which just opened this past Saturday!), Beyond All Boundaries, and Final Mission: The USS Tang Experience. 

From a local tour guide I learned that this was originally a D-Day Museum, but then was expanded to include the whole war. There is so much information to take in from the whole experience. While, I would recommend doing everything when you visit I know not everyone will spend the amount of time we did. You have to check out the main exhibit plus that is your admission to the museum. I did learn more about Okinawa and that is where my Grandpa was during WWII on the USS Hart. 



The new exhibit that opened on Saturday was Road to Berlin. You get a Dog Tag that you register with your information, and then you select a story to follow. I chose Josephine Pescatore who worked as a an evacuation-hospital nurse in the United States Army Nurse Corps and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for her service. You walk through the interactive exhibit and at different stations you swipe your card, and then watch a short video on their story during the war. You can also collect items on your card to review later from home. I have been to a lot of museums, and this one of the coolest features I have seen. 

One other thing I do want to highlight is the 4D experience Beyond All Boundaries. The film is narrated by Tom Hanks and runs about 48 minutes long. First, you are welcomed by Tom in a small room where you watch a short preview and then you make your way into the auditorium. Since it is a 4D experience you have fog going off, chairs shaking, snow falling and other features that come up from the orchestra. I learned a lot from this video--this is a must see!

The Museum of Edgar Allan Poe-Richmond, VA

"I became insane, with long intervals of horrible sanity."-Edgar Allan Poe

We went to Richmond, VA to go to a performance shop for my husband's truck that needed work and before heading back we stopped at The Museum of Edgar Allan Poe. 

I didn't know there was a museum until looking it up on one of my favorite apps History Here. Poe never lived in the building that the museum is in, but it is set up to reflect Richmond at that time. The museum hosts a large collection of manuscripts, personal belongings, first editions and a 3D model of Richmond from when he lived. 

Pictures were not allowed to be taken inside so sadly I have none to share but this one to the left. In the museum you get to learn of his life. They have relics from his boyhood bed, his truck, walking cane and even handwritten first copies of some of this work. 

It's interesting to learn more about him then the things you are taught in school. It would of been nice to have someone dressed up as him reading "The Raven" or a "Tell Tale Heart." I would visit it again next time I make it back to Virginia. 

Virginia Holocaust Museum-Richmond, VA

If you are in the Richmond area then you must visit the Virginia Holocaust Museum. I have been to the one in Washington D.C. and I thought the one in VA was a lot better. 

Walking up to the building  you see the fence around the entrance and signs in German telling you to stop. Outside they also have a railcar from Germany that held Jewish people as they were being transported.

The whole experience is a moving one. World War II is in my top 5 things of history to study. 

The museum is free of charge and they recommend it for children 11 and up because of the graphic content. Walking through the museum you see the cramped quarters they were forced to sleep in. They give you more of a perspective because they have mannequins cramped in the bed. You also see teeth, hair, and other items that the Nazis collected. 

In the museum, they have interactive parts where you can step into a mock gas chamber and crawl through holes to "hide." You will definitely get a history lesson even if you know or don't know anything about the genocide the Nazis committed.

One sad thing is seeing children's artwork and poems from that time.  During 1939-1945, 1.5 million children were annihilated. They have a memorial with their names and some pictures. 

We happened to stumble across this place when in Richmond and I'm glad we stopped. We spent a few hours in here and I would gladly go back and stay longer. The museum also focuses on genocide after WWII. Lots to be learned when you walk in those doors. 

Ash Lawn-Highland-Charlottesville, VA

The home of President James Monroe is Ash-Lawn Highland located down the street from Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. This house has a very interesting history from its name to why the house is two different colors. You can take a guided tour of the house for a fee, and once again you're not allowed upstairs (I don't believe there was an option for a special tour, but you can can call and ask).

This photo is from here.

Jefferson urged Monroe to settle near him in Ablemarle County since 1784 and he finally acquired land in 1789. Monroe referred to his home and land as Highland because this was higher then the other property he owned down where the University of Virginia now is (to the best of my knowledge that's what I remember the tour guide saying). The white part of the house is the original part of the house that Monroe lived in. The yellow part of the house is Victorian and was added on by Parson John Massey after a fire destroyed the front part of the house. After Monroe's death the house had many owners, Massey being the last, before it was given to the College of William and Mary. 

 The tour guide we had offered information on Monroe's life and about the design of the house. I wish I could remember some neat little facts he told us, but at this time my mind is drawing a blank. I'll remember eventually....

The tree to the left has been there since Monroe owned Highland. It's a massive tree, I can only imagine how it looks when the it's Spring. 

While Monroe's home isn't as grand as Jefferson's it is still worth a stop. It is a nice modest home with a great view. In the spring and summer from what I've read and saw you can see baby lambs, peacocks, etc. We only saw cows and got pretty close to them. Walking through the garden is nice with tall bushes. 

Also, did you know you could get married here? You can! The history nerd in me loves this, and the views around are beautiful on the mountain. Not sure if it would be my first choice, but definitely a contender if you want an outdoor wedding. 

Monticello-Charlottesville, VA

This is Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson--the author of the Declaration of Independence, founder of the University of Virginia and the third President of the United States of America. Jefferson designed the house and changed the plans many times. It was a functioning plantation starting with tobacco and moving to wheat.

Driving up the mountain to Jefferson's home is a nice drive along a winding road. Upon parking you walk up to the museum, gift shop and other buildings to get your first idea of what you are about to embark on. Pricing can be found on their website for the various tours they offer. We purchased the Monticello Day Pass which gives you a guided tour in a group of about 20-25 others. You take a bus ride up to the house, meet your tour guide and then it begins.

Inside you can't take any pictures :( which sucks but I understand why. You get to see all of the first floor, his furnishings, art and gadgets (the coolest being his clock and his dumbwaiter). His collection of old books intrigued me the most seeing Plutarch. It's also to see the yellow room and his bedroom and where he stored his clothes.  

Once you make it outside your guided tour has come to an end, but you can explore the grounds and the cellar by yourself. You can also see Mulberry Row where his slaves lived. Archaeologist are excavating the area. 

Another interesting thing to see is the Monticello Graveyard where Jefferson and his wife is are buried. Other lineal descendants with a few exceptions are buried there also. 

I could of spent a lot more time there, but make sure you have at least 2 hours. You want enough time to take the tour, walk around outside and look around the gift shops. I would love to go in the Spring or Fall to see the leaves have trees. Next time, I also want to take a tour of the 3rd floor and see the Dome. 

Knowing that Jefferson was there at one point in time and I was standing in a spot I'm sure he stood in is surreal. 

San Jacinto Museum of History- La Porte, Texas

This is the San Jacinto Museum of History located in La Porte, Texas. Texas won their independence from Mexico here on April 21, 1836. Unless your parents take you to visit the Monument (that's another name for it too) your first experience is probably on a school field trip in 4th grade when you learn all about Texas History.

However, if you're like me you've been here a thousand times maybe even more. You see, my Mom and family friend have worked out here for the last decade and I myself have worked out here off and on. 

If you know nothing about Texas history, then walking through the main exhibit gallery will give you a basic understanding and to do that it is, FREE! The gallery use to house more of the permanent exhibit that the museum has in archives, but they have different Special Exhibits right now which you have to pay to see. 

On the hour, they show a 35 minute presentation on the Texas Revolution which gives you a more in depth understanding. The film is narrated by Charles Heston and it will cost you money. 

You can also take a ride to the observation level 489 ft above. You can see the Houston Ship Channel, Downtown Houston, and the surrounding marshlands. It's really a nice view.

It's a great place to go, but I've just been there way to much recently. One thing you don't want to miss is the yearly reenactment of the Battle of San Jacinto. They do it on the actual day or the closet weekend to that date and it is a whole day festival and event. It's free to get into the park, but museum fees still apply.