In school, U.S. kids still learn the patriotic poem connected to the battle of Concord and Lexington, Massachusetts that begins, “Listen, my children, and you shall hear, of the midnight ride of Paul Revere...” And on this long weekend of their country’s Independence Day, today, many of their families are taking the opportunity to explore their country’s founding by including in their holiday plans this and other of the sites of key events in its War of Independence from Great Britain – all of them preserved as national park sites; most of course in the 13 original colonies; and all east of the Mississippi River. Here are the top five most important:
Colonial National Historical Park, Virginia
This considerable expanse (15 square miles/38 sq. kilometers) in southeast Virginia’s Tidewater region includes several sites key to American history such as the colonial settlements of Jamestown and Williamsburg.
But its main relevance to revolutionary history is the Yorktown Battlefield, the 1781 battle/siege against the forces of General Charles Cornwallis that finally won U.S. independence. Here visitors can see the siege earthworks, the historic house that served as Cornwallis’ headquarters and another where the surrender was negotiated. Volunteers re-enact military maneuvers (top), cannon firings, and the like, and there is of course a comprehensive visitor center.
Independence National Historical Park, Pennsylvania
Perhaps the greatest political milestones of the revolution were the 1774-6 sessions of the Continental Congresses, held in Philadelphia in what was then Pennsylvania’s state house, which among other things ratified the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The building also played a key role in the first decade of the new country, including as the place where the current Constitution was ratified in 1783. Today it is of course the epicenter of the city’s Independence Day celebration, with a parade, ceremonies, and assorted hoopla. As for sightseeing, in addition to the hall itself (you might be surprised how small the famous Congress chamber, below, is!), there’s a visitor center, another one housing the famous Liberty Bell, and a museum dedicated to key Founding Father Ben Franklin.
Minute Man National Historical Park, Massachusetts
This was essentially where it all began – the emergency that Paul Revere was riding about (though the 1860 poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow tinkered with some of the details), sites of the April 1775 battles of Lexington and Concord, pitting local militias against the colonial British forces and essentially launching the military action of the American Revolution, including “the shot heard ‘round the world”. Located a very short drive west of Boston on Route 2A, its 900 acres (364 hectares), anchored by visitors centers in Concord and Lexington, include a five-mile (eight-kilometre) trail and various restored period houses and structures.
Valley Forge National Historic Park, Pennsylvania
U.S. schoolchildren also learn that their country’s war of independence had its grueling patches, even those when it looked like the whole enterprise might not survive. The rough winter of 1777-78 in this camp outside the town of King of Prussia (a half hour southeast of Philadelphia) is Exhibit A. The 5½ sq.-mi. (14-sq.-km) site features a tour route (self-drive or 90-minute tram tour) with nine stops at various restored encampments, monuments, and historic buildings including Continental Army commander George Washington’s headquarters.
For other War of Independence sites, click here.
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