History
George Washington Carver statute. Photo: Tonya Fitzpatrick
“A traveler without observation is a bird without wings.”
— Moslih Eddin Saadi
No matter where you go, every place has a story and historical travel unpacks those stories.
From great struggles against oppressive forces to human ingenuity, the people and the places who have defined significant eras in human history move many to travel see where history was made. Travel through the historical places, see and observe what was then and how things are now. Every place has evolved over ages and become what it is today , hence you must visit history to understand the struggles and changes that came through with time.
Being able to walk where history was made, seeing the places that shaped legendary figures or experiencing life as our ancestors did, historical travel allows history to come to life in ways that transcend a history book.
Where can you wake up in the morning to the pitter-patter of raindrops falling onto the lush, green mountainside while the bagpipes play in the distance? Scotland seems the obvious answer, but if you trade the kilts and haggis for jamón (ham) and bulls, you might be surprised to find the same scene in Asturias, Spain.
The Let the World See exhibit tells both Emmett’s story but also illuminates the courage of his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, who insisted on an open casket funeral for her son so that the world could see the brutality of his senseless murder. Her act fueled a movement that changed the nation.
In Southern Louisiana, French Canadian migrants settled and intermingled with the existing community to create a unique ethnic group, the Cajuns, whose culture continues to thrive today. Visitors can learn more about the Cajuns through a visit to Lafayette Parish, where they can explore their history, customs, music and food.
St. Simons Island in Glynn County, Georgia is filled with history. Its newest museum, the World War II Home Front Museum, gives a different view of the war from typical accounts.
It is no secret to anyone that tourism is a major industry and draw for Charleston, South Carolina. However, on my most recent visit, I became a fan of their county parks because of one particular experience. I visited MacLeod Plantation Historic Site.
Before Europeans landed on North America, the continent was filled with a plethora of different native groups, with one of these being the Blackfoot Confederacy. The Confederacy consists of three First Nations bands in Canada, as well as one Native American tribe in the United States. Historically, the Blackfoot roamed across the Northern Plains, between British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Montana.
Before your wildlife safari or self-drive adventure, take a day or two to discover Windhoek’s history, particularly the township of Katutura, where the city’s black population was forcefully moved under Apartheid.
Portugal lies in the southwest corner of Europe on the Iberian peninsula. Its mostly Mediterranean climate, flavorful cuisine, and the charm and friendliness of its people make it a place to visit again and again. As we dream of the days when we can travel again, I am treasuring my memories from its capital city.
It’s been a tough summer living right next to Glacier National Park. With international borders closed to U.S. travelers, Americans have set their sights on road tripping the national parks, especially in places of low population density, and by extension low COVID-19 cases.
Although it is widely known that Chicago is a melting pot of people, it’s not as widely known why or how it became so diverse throughout the years.
Greece. A mythical country where the honey-scented sea breeze will enchant you, warm, silk-like waters will entice you, and white-washed homes that grace the countryside
Most recently, I traveled to Ghana over the holidays with friends and family. I tried many foods like fufu, bofrot, and my personal favorite, Jollof! I sat in the notorious Accra traffic for too many hours to count, and I spent Christmas on the beach. But the most important thing I did was visit two slave castles: Cape Coast and Elmina.
