Wow. Totally off topic, but wow.

L

Lunacat

Cathlete
On my lunch break, just a few minutes ago, I went to the house where Abraham Lincoln died. It's open to the public to walk through for free. It was such an anachronisic feeling to stand not 12 inches from the bed he laid on as he died. What was truly surprising was how small everything was. The bed was maybe five feet long (and Lincoln stood over six feet tall); the chairs and table surfaces were the size of children's furniture; and the two floors of the house which were on display covered only about 600 square feet.

Sorry to just post a pretty mundane experience, but I found it completely moving to stand in a place with such a poignant history. :)
 
I feel that way going to Plimoth Plantation! Even though the village is a replica, it is an authentic representation, and is wild to see how these people lived and what they endured! When I think of the houses we have today...no way could we make it living like they did. Reminds me of Colonial House. Anyone see it?

Kerrie
 
Lunacat, sounds like an interesting day. :)

Kerrie, I did see a few episodes of Colonial House. I loved that show, but would forget to watch it.

I just went to Mt. Vernon. Has anyone been there. It's amazing. I saw George's and Martha's tombs. I was a yard away form them. I saw the bed Washington died in also, and like Lincoln's it was short.

Lori
 
I haven't seen Plimoth Plantation, but last summer I went to Salem, Mass. They've preserved large parts of the town and it's absolutely incredible to see the structures as they looked 400 years ago. The hardships those people endured were unbelievable. One interesting sight at Salem was a cell where some people accused of witchcraft were held. It was about 5' from floor to ceiling, and only about 18" front to back and side to side. So you couldn't lie or sit down or even stand erect. Just unreal.
 
Oh I've been there too! It's really moving--if I remember correctly they still have his blood stains on the pillow too. Did you visit Ford's Theater also?
 
They didn't have the stained pillow. If they had, I would imagine it would have been even more unsettling. Ford's Theater was closed. I just called the information desk and they said it would reopen next week. So on casual Friday next week (when I can wear comfy shoes), that's where I'm going! I hadn't realized until today that both sites were a 5 minute walk from where I work!
 
That is not mundane, that is cool. I love to "step back" in time. Makes you feel very small compared to the whole grand scape of things. I live in NC and love to visit the old lighthouses on our outer banks. I love to read the stories the old light keepers left behind.

Old times are amazing.
 
Not mundane at all. I would probably cry because I am a big baby and cry and anything historically moving like that. It is my dream vacation to check out a lot of those sorts of historical sites.

Having been born and raised in my little town out here in California, we just don't have the history like that. We have history, don't get me wrong, but it goes waaaaayyyy back to the 1800's. So far back that I almost remember it:7

Locally we have the Donner Party museum. That is actually very sad. There is also Sutters Fort in Sacramento, and a variety of other Forts in California.

Seriously though, as a history lover, I would just love to see the White House, Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore, the monuments in Washington, Plymouth Plantation, Lincoln's Home, and since I am that far East I might as well throw in the bar from "Cheers"!!
 
Lunacat - yes that is very moving. If you get a chance agree you should go to Fords' theatre as well.

My kids have been to Plimoth so many times. We use to have au pairs and I think everyone took them. Agree Mt. Rushmore was very cool - did you see the presentation at night, when they light it up?
 
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