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.
Little Rock began making history dating back to August 24, 1818, when the Quapaw Line was drawn, creating the boundary between the Quapaw tribal lands and lands available for settlement by westward-moving Americans. The treaty referred to La Petite Roche, an outcropping of rock on the Arkansas River, by its American name, “Little Rock,” believed to be the first official use in a government document of the name. It continued to rock history into the future.
In the grand scheme of world travel, Saint Vincent often gets overshadowed by its more famous neighbors. Some might say this little island should stay hidden to avoid the effects of mass tourism. But keeping such a beautiful place a secret would be a real shame. Saint Vincent, part of the Grenadine Islands, is a true paradise with its own unique charm and rich history.
The air hangs heavy with moisture. The illusion of stillness is the prelude before the story unfolds. Frowns appear in the sky. 2,000 years ago, the dramatic sky would have convinced the inhabitants of God’s wrath. Redundant chimneys of the slate-roofed houses stand as remnants of the past, but they are not the only ones here.
The proud capital of Spain’s Basque region, Bilbao, is a place where culture, history, and mouthwatering gastronomy surround you. Their storied history and decades spent fighting to retain their unique culture have shaped it to be the one-of-a-kind city it is today.
Originally named Vermilionville, today Lafayette, Louisiana is home to a living history museum that takes you back to a recreated Acadian village. Acadian culture began with Le Grand Derangement in the 1750s and ‘60s. At that time during the French and Indian War, the British drove thousands of French Canadians out of their home. Because they were Catholic and refused to sign loyalty oaths to England, the British didn’t trust them. They captured the Acadians, loaded them in ships, and deported them.
A half hour’s drive north of Pittsburgh, the tiny Western Pennsylvania town of Harmony, with a population of fewer than 1,000 people, has an unusual history that makes for a fascinating visit.
The current city of Dallas, Texas was once called the Peters Colony and inhabited by a variety of Native American tribes, including the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Tawakoni, Delaware, and Waco tribes.
The Fredericksburg region in Virginia is part of Spotsylvania County and not only was it a prominent destination during the colonial times, it played a huge role during the Civil War.
Mention Daytona Beach, Florida, and most people will either declare its glory as the birthplace of NASCAR or as the “World’s Most Famous Beach.” Daytona Beach and its surrounding communities occupy an iconic piece of Florida’s east coast. It turns out Daytona Beach is a treasure trove of Black history sites and stories.
From the new Morgan Freeman film, Invictus, to the 2010 FIFA World Cup Games, South Africa has become a lead actor on the world’s stage. What is most striking about this beautiful nation is that the South African natural landscape is as compelling as the journey through the places shaping the country’s transformation from apartheid to a multicultural democracy.
As you enter Roots 101 museum in Louisville, Kentucky, portraits of royalty catch your eye. Tucked away on a side street just steps from the Ohio River, this unassuming location delivers the true African American story with more punches than you could ever imagine. Founded by Lamont Collins who moved to Louisville in the 1960s and found acceptance as an athlete, this unique museum packs powerful realities into every inch.
Traveling throughout the Caribbean and especially the West Indies, one can experience the cultural influences of the Garifuna people in the food, music, dance and island traditions.
