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Historical Tours & Trips in USA

Step back in time and learn the secrets of ancient times on a historical tour of USA. With 192 adventures, you're sure to visit the best historical places packed full of stories from days long ago.

192 Historical tour packages in USA with 1,373 reviews

Majestic Alaska (10 Days)

This was an excellent experience

• €100 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Hawaiian Explorer (8 Days, Intra Tour Air Hilo To Kahului)

• Food & Culinary

Tennessee Music Trail to New Orleans

• Sightseeing
• Christmas & New Year

Georgia History Trail to Nashville

• Coach / Bus

Jewels of Alaska (Small Groups, 7 Days)

USA: Dallas to Miami (10 Days)

It was a great experience

Spotlight on South Dakota featuring Mount Rushmore & The Badlands (2024)

Great trip. Our tour leader Chuck went out of his way to make sure we were well taken care of.

Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and the Grand Canyon

Enchanting Canyonlands (Classic, 7 Days)

I wanted to say excellent, but there is room for improvement. The website could be better. It required passport information with no option for "Not applicable." As a U.S. Citizen traveling in the U.S., a passport wasn't needed, but I continued to get reminders to complete my profile. Fortunately, I got an email assuring me I didn't need the passport, but I suggest updating your website. The descriptions of several days said "relaxed start," but most days, we had to be up early enough to be showered, dressed, and have our suitcases ready for pickup by 6:30 or 7:00 a.m. As an east-coaster, that was fine for me because of the time difference, but normally, I wouldn't call that relaxed. The sites were stunning, the optional activities were great, although one that I wanted to do got canceled due to a storm and there was no way to reschedule. The lodging was great at each stop and the provided meals were excellent. Some of the suggested "on-your-own" spot for meals were not so good. The change of lodging plans at the Grand Canyon was disappointing because we didn't get to see the sunrise at the Grand Canyon or the stars late the night before. Sedona, The Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Bryce Canyon, and Zion National Park were all fantastic, and we were blessed with great weather for most of the trip. Everyone should see these wonders of God's creation.

Great Cities of the West

• In-depth Cultural

American Gateway – 4 Days

The sights were amazing but this is a lot of ground covered in a short amount of time. Perfect if you have few days and want to see as much as you can but it’s a little exhausting. Would have loved two days in Washington to see everything and not feel rushed. Our guides were wonderful. Joseph was especially interesting and thorough. The hotels were very good but would have liked to reach them a little earlier in the evening to settle in. Nevertheless, we had an awesome time and the impressions of the iconic sights seen will stay with us always.

USA Road Trip: Big Cities & West Coast Parks

• Walking Adventure

America's Greatest Treasures with Rapid City Start

Both driver and guide were amazing. The tour overall was perfect for my 86 year old dad who was my travel partner!

Splendors of the West

The tour was excellent, hotels were amazing and you couldn't fault the tour guide Laura. Everything was taken care of and we were kept well informed of everything all of the time. A trip of a lifetime! I can't wait to book the next one. The only thing I would say is that I think the optional activities should have been included in the price considering how expensive it is.

• €150 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Best of USA (13 Days)

Guides and activities - professionalism at its best.

What people love about Historical Tours in USA

It was an awesome tour. Saw and did so much. I would recommend Trafalgar to tour with. We are booked next year for The Colorful Trails of the SW in September. I want to say our tour director,Tyler Browning, is one of the best guides we have had. He is personable, friendly, caring, very knowledgeable and on top of everything. He is GREAT!

Could not have asked for a better time. Our Tour Guide Katie and Driver Joe were phenomenal . All aspects of our comfort were taken into account. The attention to detail is evident and appreciated

Regions in USA

• Sun Belt (81)
• East Coast USA (72)
• Eastern USA (71)
• Western USA (66)
• Southwest USA (41)
• West Coast USA (36)
• Northeast USA (36)
• Southern USA (30)
• California (23)
• Mideast USA (20)
• Southeast USA (19)
• New England (17)
• Rocky Mountains (13)
• Four Corners (13)
• Yosemite National Park (12)
• New York (9)

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THE 10 BEST United States Historical & Heritage Tours

Historical & heritage tours in united states.

• Sightseeing Tours
• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers

• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Washington DC in One Day: Guided Sightseeing Tour

2. Charleston’s Old South Carriage Historic Horse & Carriage Tour

3. Mauka Warriors Luau Honoring Polynesia's Forgotten History

4. New Orleans Ghost, Voodoo and Vampire Combo Tour

5. Savannah Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour

6. Boston Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour with 14 Stops

7. Small-Group Guided Tour inside US Capitol & Library of Congress

8. Guided St. Pete Sightseeing Tour in Deluxe Street Legal Golf Cart

9. Pearl Harbor USS Arizona Memorial

10. Adults-Only New Orleans Ghost, Crime, Voodoo, and Vampire Tour

11. New Orleans City and Cemetery Tour

12. Big Island in a Day: Volcanoes Waterfalls Sightseeing and History

13. Washington DC Hop-On Hop-off Trolley Tour with 15 Stops

14. Washington DC by Moonlight Electric Cart Tour

15. Freedom Trail: Small Group Tour of Revolutionary Boston

16. Chicago River 45-Minute Architecture Tour from Magnificent Mile

17. Pearl Harbor USS Arizona Memorial & Battleship Missouri

18. Capitol Hill Walking Tour with US Capitol and Library of Congress

19. Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour

20. Magnolia Plantation Admission & Tour with Transportation from Charleston

21. Newport Gilded Age Mansions Trolley Tour with Breakers Admission

22. Tribute to Pearl Harbor Arizona Memorial and Honolulu City Tour

23. Naples Sightseeing Boat Tour

24. Fort Sumter Admission and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry

25. Best of San Antonio Small Group Tour with Boat + Tower + Alamo

26. St. Augustine Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour

27. Verde Canyon Railroad Adventure Package

28. Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour: All Options

29. Small-Group Tour: SF, Muir Woods, Sausalito w/ Optional Alcatraz

30. Upper Antelope Canyon Ticket

What travelers are saying.

• Michael L 12 contributions 0 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great starting out tour to get the lay of the land! What a beautiful day in our nations capitol. If you have good weather, we’d recommend paying more for the convertible bus. It was great for snapping pics along the tour. The cruise was very neat too. It was a very enjoyable tour and hit major highlights of DC. We recommend taking it when you first arrive since it gives you the lay of the land to prep for any additional sight seeing you may want to do during your time. Our guide Chris, did a great job! Read more Review of: Washington DC in One Day: Guided Sightseeing Tour Written May 20, 2024 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Experience a world beyond your expectations. Choose from our award-winning vacations on virtually every continent with local favorites and off-the-beaten-path experiences only Globus can share.

We know why you travel. You’d rather have an extra day exploring than a fancy chocolate on your pillow at night. Enjoy hand-selected inclusions and world-class experiences for value-minded travel lovers like you.

Raise your sights and set your sails for the rivers of Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa on an Avalon Waterways cruise. Elevate your cruise experience with fewer passengers, more choices, and endless possibilities.

cities & locations

The "Starting at" or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per passenger based on double occupancy and does not include International airfare; additional fees/charges are not included. If a price is crossed out, the new price shown includes a limited time promotional offer(s) – please review current promotions or deals for additional information. Some tours require intra-vacation flights (and in some cases intra-vacation segments must be purchased from Globus).

1-800-378-1571 |  Your Connection to Williamsburg

"America's Historic Triangle" - Adult Tour

Destinations:, williamsburg, jamestown and yorktown.

Call us today at 800.378.1571 or request information .

Day 1 - Jamestown

Meet your colonial connections tour manager at jamestown settlement.

2:30pm-5:00pm

Guided tour of Jamestown Settlement

Connect with the experiences of the 17th-century colonists as you explore Jamestown Settlement, the recreation of the first permanent English settlement in America. Tour indoor galleries, talk with costumed interpreters, and visit the re-created James Fort and Powhatan Indian village. Board full-size replicas of the Susan Constant, Discovery and Godspeed - the three ships that brought settlers to Virginia in 1607.

Check-in to your Williamsburg hotel (includes round-trip baggage handling)

Choose from limited to full-service properties with exterior or interior corridors, indoor or outdoor pools, with deluxe continental breakfast or full breakfast buffet, priced from budget and moderate to deluxe.

Dinner at Captain George's Seafood Restaurant

Captain George’s legendary buffet has been heralded up and down the East Coast as one of the best collections of fresh seafood and regional cuisine available. Featuring a 70 item all-you-can-eat seafood buffet including Alaskan Snow Crab legs, steamed shrimp, Oysters Rockefeller, scallops, prime rib, and fresh broiled fish, along with a wide array of salads, entrees and desserts prepared fresh daily – there’s something for everyone.

Shopping at Yankee Candle Company

Nothing compares to Yankee Candle for creating a lasting impression. With 10,000 square feet of unique, interactive shopping and fun entertainment it's more than you can imagine. This location is one of the world's largest candle stores with 250,000 candles and more than 150 different scents.

Return to the hotel. Colonial Connections Tour Manager departs.

Day 2 - williamsburg, deluxe continental breakfast at your williamsburg hotel, depart for colonial williamsburg with your colonial connections tour manager.

9:00am-12:00pm

Guided tour of Colonial Williamsburg, the Revolutionary City

Explore the nation's largest living history museum. From 1699 to 1780, Williamsburg was the political and cultural center of Britain's largest colony in the New World. In the shops, taverns, government buildings, homes and streets,  George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, George Mason and other Virginia Patriots debated the ideas of liberty, independence, and personal freedoms  that led to the founding of American democracy and inspired generations of Americans and others from around the world.

12:00pm-5:00pm

Enjoy lunch and shopping at Merchants Square and self-guided tours of the Revolutionary City (lunch on own)

Dinner provided at a colonial tavern.

Taverns were not only an integral part of colonial life in America, but were also a necessity. The modes of travel and transportation of the day mandated the location of a tavern every few miles on the main thoroughfares, where tired and hungry travelers could find food and drink and a bed or floor upon which to sleep.

7:00pm-8:00pm

Colonial Hauntings Tour (candlelight walking tour)

Journey by candlelight through the streets of Colonial Williamsburg listening to eerie tales of Williamsburg's only witch trial, Black Beard and his crew, the questionable Lady Skipwith, Lucy of Ludwell and ghostly parties at the Raleigh Tavern. Some stories last more than a lifetime!

Day 3 - Yorktown

Deluxe continental breakfast at your williamsburg hotel. colonial connections tour manager rejoins group and facilitates check-out and baggage handling., depart for yorktown.

9:30am-11:30am

Guided riding tour of the Yorktown Battlefield including Surrender Field and the Yorktown Victory Monument

See where American independence was won. Earthworks and siege lines mark positions of British and American forces, cannons stand ready behind the embattlements, and Surrender Field is a silent reminder of English General Cornwallis' capitulation. Visit the Yorktown Victory Monument and see Cornwallis' Cave, where legend has it that the English General and his staff sought refuge from the bombardment by American and French forces.

11:30am-1:00pm

Lunch at Riverwalk Landing (on own)

Enjoy an eclectic mix of shops and several restaurants featuring a variety of dishes sure to tempt your palate.

1:15pm-3:15pm

Guided tour of the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown

Gain a new appreciation and understanding of our nation's beginnings at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown where America's evolution from Colonial status to nationhood is chronicled. Outdoor living history areas include a re-created Continental Army encampment and 1780s farm.

Depart for home. Colonial Connections Tour Manager departs.

Your connection to williamsburg.

Information is Free

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Historic America Tours

Welcome to Historic America Tours !

At Historic America Tours, our mission is to bring history to life by providing captivating and informative guided tours across the United States. We strive to offer an unforgettable experience for history enthusiasts, delivering a deep insight into the rich cultural heritage and pivotal moments that have shaped this great nation over the centuries.

Our vision is to become the premier destination for history lovers, both domestic and international, seeking engaging and well-researched tours of America’s most historically significant sites. We aim to be recognized as the ultimate authority in historical tours, curating immersive experiences that foster a connection to past events and inspire a greater appreciation for the narratives that have molded our society.

Company History

Historic America Tours was founded in 2005 by Christopher Collins, a respected historian and passionate advocate for preserving and sharing America’s cultural heritage. Driven by his own fascination with history, Collins recognized the need for high-quality guided tours that would accurately convey the significance of each destination while engaging visitors with compelling narratives.

Founder – Christopher Collins

Christopher Collins is an esteemed historian with over two decades of experience in visualizing history for immersive experiences. He holds a Ph.D. in American History and is renowned for his extensive research in cultural heritage preservation. Combining his academic expertise with a passion for storytelling, Collins has played a pivotal role in crafting and developing each of our tours to deliver an exceptional and captivating experience.

Website Creation

Historic America Tours decided to create this website to provide a user-friendly and accessible platform where history enthusiasts can easily discover, select, and book our enriching tours. We understand that in the digital age, people have busy lives, and online platforms play a significant role in planning their travel experiences. Therefore, we have meticulously crafted this website to offer an array of historical perspectives, enlighten users about our offerings, and facilitate seamless bookings.

Our Objective

The main objective of our website is to offer an immersive and interactive platform for history enthusiasts to explore the fascinating world of American history. Our website serves as an authoritative hub, providing detailed information about the historical sites we cover, the significance of those locations, and the events that unfolded there.

Target Audience

Our tours cater to individuals, families, and groups who have a thirst for knowledge about the past. Whether tourists from abroad seeking to engage with American history or U.S. residents yearning to deepen their understanding of their own heritage, Historic America Tours caters to all who wish to explore the profound connections between the present and the stories of the past.

Our Unique Value

At Historic America Tours, we pride ourselves on having a team of experienced and highly skilled editors and historians behind the scenes. Every tour is meticulously designed, thoroughly researched, and continuously updated to ensure accuracy and intellectual rigor. Our commitment to excellence is evident in the quality of our guided tours, as well as the seamless user experience offered on our website.

Join us on a transformative journey through this remarkable country as we unearth the hidden gems of history that have shaped the United States and the world as we know it. Discover the narrative tapestry that defines our nation at Historic America Tours — where the past intertwines with the present.

If you have any questions, please Contact Us .

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Best historical cities to visit in the usa.

Use this list to plan your next getaway to a destination that's rich with history. To determine the best historical cities to visit in the USA, U.S. News considered the storied pasts, preserved landmarks, notable monuments and tourist-friendly services in each city – as well as votes from users. Vote on your top picks for history lovers to help us determine next year's list. (Note: Some of the below destinations may be affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Check with the CDC and the U.S. Department of State before traveling.)

Washington, D.C.

Philadelphia, williamsburg, charleston, sc, new orleans.

America's capital is brimming with affordable things to do. The Washington Monument, the U.S. Capitol, the White House and the Lincoln Memorial anchor the National Mall, while the Tidal Basin boasts three of its own memorials dedicated to history-making figures. Various outfitters offer history tours that focus on showcasing the city's past through the eyes of everyone from specific presidents to notable women. What's more, exploring the Smithsonian museums, filled with art and science history, won't cost you a dime.

Boston is a city of American firsts. The country's first public library, first subway system, first public school and first public park belong to Boston. Here, you can stroll the same cobblestone streets as the Puritans and revolutionaries. Kick off your city tour on the Freedom Trail, which guides visitors past 16 of the city's most historic sites. A few must-see historical attractions include Faneuil Hall Marketplace (built in 1742), the Paul Revere House (built around 1680), the Old North Church (built in 1723) and the Fenway Park baseball stadium (opened in 1912).

Gettysburg Battlefield, the 6,000-acre Civil War military park that witnessed the momentous clash of Union and Confederate forces in 1863, is the star of any visit to this Pennsylvania town. Gettysburg also played a part in the Cold War, which you'll learn about next door to the famous battlefield at the Eisenhower National Historic Site. To better understand the town's role in these historic events and more, speak with the knowledgeable curators and peruse the 4,000-plus historical artifacts on display at the Gettysburg Museum of History.

You'll see Benjamin Franklin's name and influence across the United States' first capital city. Visit Independence Hall, where Ben and company signed the Declaration of Independence. Then, pay homage to the famously cracked Liberty Bell. And for a bit of cinematic history, head to the Philadelphia Museum of Art to snap a picture of the famous "Rocky Steps." When you get hungry, visit Reading Terminal Market, one of the largest and oldest public markets in America, to sample everything from ice cream and pastries to cheesesteaks and barbecue.

With its preserved Colonial sites and costumed interpreters, Williamsburg, Virginia, is the definition of a living history museum. Your first stop should be Colonial Williamsburg, where you'll be greeted by the "residents" who once called this revolutionary town home. Visitors have no shortage of learning opportunities: Williamsburg offers more than 20 guided and self-guided daily tours, ranging from ghost tours to garden tours – all included with your admission ticket. Round out your Williamsburg visit with a stop at the Yorktown Battlefield, the site of the last major battle of the Revolutionary War.

If you're visiting Williamsburg, you'll likely also make a stop at Jamestown, where English settlers established the first American Colony in 1607. Similar to Colonial Williamsburg, the Jamestown Settlement acts a living history museum, with costumed interpreters telling the story of life in 17th-century Virginia. You'll even get the chance to climb aboard replicas of the three ships that first brought colonists to Virginia. To learn more about the Paspahegh Indian Tribe, the Powhatan tribal group closest to Jamestown, plan to stop by Paspahegh Town.

Walking around the Battery with Fort Sumter in the distance may make you feel like you've stepped back in time. Should you wish to catch a glimpse of former 19th-century Southern high society, tour Middleton Place, the Aiken-Rhett House Museum or the Nathaniel Russell House Museum. Another great way to get to know this South Carolina city is on a historical walking tour. Or, simply relax on the wraparound porch of your historic bed-and-breakfast.

This coastal city southeast of Boston boasts its fair share of historic homes, museums and monuments dedicated to the Wampanoag Indian Tribe and the men and women who founded the first New England Colony. But Plymouth, Massachusetts, is also home to a bit of 21st-century history: Visitors will find the city's 9/11 Memorial just north of Plymouth Rock. What's more, lodging options range from historic hotels to quaint bed-and-breakfast accommodations.

Many come to New Orleans to party hard on Bourbon Street, but history lovers will delight in admiring sights like the French Quarter, the Cabildo and St. Louis Cathedral. If you need a break from the crowds, head to the Garden District or Chalmette Battlefield, or escape the heat at the popular National WWII Museum. If you don't mind a bit of ghost lore mixed in with your history lesson, you'll also want to sign up for one of the city's cemetery tours.

Luring travelers interested in learning about everything from witches and pirates to Colonial and maritime history, Salem was founded in 1626. This town situated on the northern coast of Massachusetts is best known for its ties to the Salem witch trials, which curious visitors can get an overview of at the Salem Witch Museum. Other popular historical attractions to visit include The Witch House, the New England Pirate Museum and the Salem Maritime National Historic Site.

Vote to Add these Destinations to the Rankings

St. Augustine

Charlottesville

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San Antonio

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American History Tours

American Revolution, Southwest U.S. History, Presidential History, and Civil War History

doug@historytoursamerica.com

(719) 440-2466

Doug McCormick was born in Nebraska and moved to Colorado with his family when he was still in elementary school. He graduated from Arapahoe High School in Littleton, CO, and then attended the University of Northern Colorado (UNC). After graduating from UNC in 1977 he spent 21 years in the Air Force, mostly in the Space Operations career field, retiring in 1998. After retiring, he moved to Colorado Springs and was a defense contractor supporting Air Force Space Command for over 14 years. His last assignment in the Air Force was in the Pentagon and he and his family resided in northern Virginia where he got to see many historical sites. Getting to see these sites first hand got him interested in U.S. history, and historical sight-seeing has become a labor of love for him. His objective now is to lead tour groups, especially tours that emphasize American history. Doug is a graduate of the International Guide Academy, Denver, CO.

History America Tours

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AMERICA TOURS

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The American Revolution - The Struggle for Independence

The story of America’s struggle for independence from Great Britain is one of the most epic sagas in history. A true ‘David & Goliath’ story, the conflict that arose between Britain and its North American colonies changed the world. Travel with us as we visit some of the most hallowed places in American history. We will tour the major battlegrounds in the Northern Theater that set the stage for America gaining its independence during this 9-day historic vacation tour.

We’ll see the beginnings of unrest and how it exploded into full-scale war. The nature of the combat, the stories of patriots and loyalists, British and Continental regulars, Hessians, militiamen and civilians swept up in the turmoil of the Revolution. Experience iconic places in American history and the experiences of British colonists becoming Americans.

DAILY SCHEDULE

Day 1 – Welcome/Orientation

Guests will meet at our historic hotel in downtown Boston for a welcome and orientation. The tour historian will give an introduction followed by an orientation to the tour. Following the welcome/orientation, we will then go to dinner.

Day 2 – The “Shot Heard ‘Round the World”

First we explore the historic sites of the Revolution in downtown Boston – often called the “Hotbed of Rebellion.” The sites of the Boston Tea Party (the largest building at the time), the site of the “Boston Massacre,” and the signal that sparked the “Shot Heard ‘Round the World.” After lunch in a very famous historic venue, we continue our exploration of revolutionary Boston with several historic buildings closely associated with the beginnings of the American Revolution.

In the afternoon, we visit where it all began – Lexington Green. Here we’ll explore the tense scene surrounding the “Shot Heard ‘Round the World,” which began a day of chaotic actions that marked the beginning of armed conflict that grew into the American Revolution. Afterwards, we’ll make our way towards Saratoga stopping for the night at another historic venue in Albany.

Day 3 – The French Alliance

In early 1777, British General “Gentleman Johnny” Burgoyne wagered that he could end the rebellion and return to England by the end of the year. His boast came to naught in the fields around Saratoga. The battles around Saratoga over several weeks in the fall of 1777 effectually halted Burgoyne’s invasion and forced the surrender of an entire British field army. That convinced France to formally ally itself with the nascent United States against their arch-enemy, Britain. The battle also marked a departure from traditional eighteenth century linear tactics that would have significant ramifications later in the war.

Day 4 – Victory or Death

The American cause for independence looked bleakest in the winter of late 1776. After enduring one disastrous defeat after another and being all the way from New York, the Continental Army crossed the Delaware River and earned a brief respite. Our tour historian will set the scene in Trenton as the Americans sprung a Christmas Day surprise attack on the Hessian outpost at Trenton. The Battle of Trenton represents a stunning, complete military victory that radically changed America’s outlook.

Day 5 – America’s First Capital

Upon our arrival in Philadelphia, we tour the iconic places that hold an enduring place in American history. Here at the beginning we find the meeting places of the Continental Congresses and the de facto capital. Many iconic symbols of American heritage are here in Philadelphia; the birthplace of the Constitution, the meeting place of the Continental Congress and the Liberty Bell. We end the day back at our historic hotel and dinner.

The loss of the capital, forcing the members of the Continental Congress to flee Philadelphia forces the Continental Army to take up winter quarters around Valley Forge outside the city. But there a dramatic transformation of the army would take place during the bitter winter of 1776-1777, which makes it hold a special place in American history. After exploring the special place Valley Forge holds in American history, we begin making our way south.

Day 6 – Revolutionary City

After breakfast, we continue our trek south to Colonial Williamsburg. Here we take up our accommodations in the heart of the historic district. Colonial Williamsburg is the world’s largest living history museum. With over 80 original buildings and dozens of reconstructions, it is the perfect location to immerse ourselves in the historical ambience of the period.

Day 7 – The World Turned Upside Down

This morning we visit the battlefield at Yorktown, last of the last major engagement of the American Revolution. For almost a month the combined American and French armies besieged the British, forcing the latter’s surrender in October 1781. With the loss of a second full field army, the British ceased military operations in America. After lunch, we spend a free afternoon in Colonial Williamsburg shopping, exploring, relaxing – whatever you desire. Dinner will be at a period tavern where we’ll enjoy cuisine of the revolutionary period.

Day 8 – Revolutionary America

The entire day is designated for individual exploration of Colonial Williamsburg. Learning about the daily lives of people in the revolutionary period. So as not to interfere with guests’ plans, today’s lunch is the only meal not provided by the tour. Enjoy the many events occurring throughout Colonial Williamsburg as well as its shops and eateries. There is also additional shopping at the west end of the historic district in the Colonial Williamsburg Merchants Square. In the evening we will meet for dinner at another historic tavern.

Day 9 – Departures

After breakfast we’ll say our goodbyes and take a shuttle to the Newport News-Williamsburg International Airport.

• Sample Itinerary
• Fundraising

A Partnership in

We Offer Educational & Historical Tours at Affordable Rates

Safe and Secure Travel Experience for Students, Parents, and Teachers Nationwide

American History Tours LLC is a travel & tour organization, specializing in educational group tours.  We have been providing exceptional tours for over 10 years.

We focus on creating fun and educational experiences through life changing travel to many inspiring locations.  We strive to enhance the curriculum in ways that make learning fun, engaging, and memorable.

Our Mission

Our mission is to make a difference one tour at a time. 

What makes us unique? 

We recognize the value of educational tours, therefore we work diligently to help schools fundraise a large portion of the cost.  We strive to make the out-of-pocket expense for hard working families the lowest in the industry.  At the same time, our tours are top notch educational experiences that students will remember for a lifetime.

Registration

Click on your trip to register, log in, view your account, see the itinerary, or make a payment.

https://americanhistorytours.wetravel.com/trips/first-responders-memorial-tour-american-history-tours-llc-new-york-49523549

Our Destinations

• Washington, D.C.
• Philadelphia
• Williamsburg
• Mackinac Island
• And much more

Register or Check Out Our Sample Itinerary

Why Choose Us?

At American History Tours, we strive to surpass every tour member's expectations. We run our business with five primary goals in mind.

• Provide a safe and secure travel experience for students, parents, and teachers.
• Provide an exciting, fun-filled, life-changing educational experience.
• Provide a hassle-free travel experience. Leave the planning and coordination with us.
• Provide a fabulous trip at an affordable price.
• Provide quality fundraising opportunities.

• (855) 476-5080

Come Explore A World Worth Knowing

Destinations and itineraries inspired by the most fascinating events in history.

Tours designed and led by HISTORY® Channel-approved, world-renowned historians and local experts.

Let your curiosity be your guide… as you explore a world worth knowing.

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Princess Cruises Adds Historic America Cruisetour Ahead of 250th Anniversary of America

14-night land and cruise experience highlights america’s roots with nation’s capital, philadelphia, williamsburg & more.

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FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. (May 13, 2024) – Princess guests discovering the scenic east coast on a 2025 Canada & New England cruise sailing out of New York City can now immerse themselves in historic America as they tour the nation’s capital, interact with early settlers at a living history museum, visit Independence Hall in Philadelphia, and stand on the same soil as Thomas Jefferson at his Monticello estate, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This Historic America cruisetour takes guests on a seven-night, hosted land tour with overnight stays in Washington D.C., Williamsburg, Staunton, Gettysburg and Philadelphia prior to boarding a seven-day Canada/New England cruise onboard Enchanted Princess roundtrip from New York City.

“Visiting our nation’s capital, nearby historic cities and landmarks always ranks high on travelers’ lists of places to visit in their lifetime,” said Terry Thornton, chief commercial officer, Princess Cruises. “We make traveling to historic America easy, educational and memorable with our knowledgeable and inspiring tour guides sharing the incredible stories of our country’s settlers, leaders, landmarks and historic sites.”

This Historic America cruisetour includes hotels, motorcoach transportation, sightseeing and most breakfasts and dinners. Sample itinerary details:

• Day 1: Arrive Washington, DC
• Day 2: Tour Arlington Cemetery, Embassy Row, National Cathedral, museums of choice, evening illumination tour of Lincoln, Vietnam, World War II, and Korean War Memorials
• Day 3: Visit Mount Vernon, George Washington’s iconic estate, and Jamestown Settlement before arriving in Williamsburg for dinner at a Colonial Williamsburg Tavern
• Day 4: Full day of Colonial Williamsburg historic area
• Day 5: Tour Richmond National Battlefield Park and Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello estate
• Day 6: Enjoy Harpers Ferry National Historic Park and guided tour of Gettysburg Battlefield
• Day 7: City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia, for Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, First Bank, Carpenter’s Hall, Betsy Ross House, Elfreth’s Alley and Christ Church
• Day 8: Arrive in New York City to embark Enchanted Princess for cruise
• Day 9: Newport, Rhode Island
• Day 10: Boston, Massachusetts
• Day 11: Portland, Maine
• Day 12: At Sea
• Day 13: Halifax, Canada
• Day 14: At Sea
• Day 15: Return to New York City

On sale now, there are 10 Historic America cruisetour options in 2025 with departure dates of August 16, 23, 30; September 6, 13, 20, 27; October 4, 11 and 18, 2025. Rates start at $4,529 per person.

Thornton added, “With the upcoming 250th anniversary of America in 2026, now is the time to visit our nation’s historic landmarks and celebrate our independence.”

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-Princess (1-800-774-6237) or by visiting www.princess.com.

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Living History: Tour the Homes of Early American Settlers

Posted: July 19, 2023 | Last updated: November 20, 2023

These homes offer a glimpse into the past

Step back in time with these 10 living museums that showcase America's historic homes, from the first settlements up to the Civil War. From refurbished artifacts to informed reconstructions, these houses give history lovers a feel for a simpler way of life, as well as a peek inside some of the beautiful original structures that shaped centuries of American architecture. 

Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

Colonial Williamsburg is a living history museum in the heart of Virginia, the first American colony. The museum is designed to recreate 18th-century colonial life as it would have been when Williamsburg served as the capital of Colonial Virginia. The 301-acre site houses hundreds of restored or recreated 18th-century structures across three main thoroughfares, rendering it the world’s largest living history museum . Visitors can dine in period taverns, purchase souvenirs in artisan shops, and explore dozens of historic landmarks.

After falling into post-revolution disrepair, Colonial Williamsburg was restored to its original glory in the early 1900s due in large part to generous donations from the world-famous business magnate and philanthropist, John D. Rockefeller. Significant landmarks were restored, while others which had been destroyed, like the Governor's Palace, were meticulously reconstructed. Of the roughly 500 buildings in the town, 88 are original , and the overarching result is a bustling merchant square and political capital such as the pre-revolution colonists would have known it.

Williamsburg was built up as a center of government around the College of William & Mary, and consequently mirrored its Georgian architectural style. Indeed, famed Georgian architect, Christopher Wren, designer of St Paul’s Cathedral, also designed the Wren Building at the College of William & Mary, which was the first building to be renovated as part of Rockefeller’s restoration. Colonial Williamsburg’s buildings range in grandeur from the Governor’s Palace, the magnificent brick residence that was the seat of pre-revolution royal governance, to the humbler one-story, wood-shingled shops and old cottages .

Williamsburg was characterized by its political significance and its mercantile industry. Today, historical celebrities such as George and Martha Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and the Marquis de Lafayette still walk the streets, interacting with visitors, while traditional artisans churn out quality goods for purchase. Merchant Square, the commercial heart of Williamsburg, houses the workshops of blacksmiths, silversmiths, gunsmiths, tailors, cobblers, milliners, coopers, carpenters, printers, and of course, wigmakers.

Conner Prairie, Fishers, Indiana

A Smithsonian affiliate, Conner Prairie is a living history museum in central Indiana dedicated to preserving 19th-century midwestern life.  At the heart of the museum lies Prairietown which, though fictional, is based on extensive demographic and geographic research , and is inspired by early Indiana settlements of the 1830s. The museum is named for the Conner family, 19th-century north-western pioneers who settled in Indiana at the beginning of the century, and who came to play an infamous role in the removal of the native Lenape people from the territory.

Conner Prairie was established in the 1960s, when the William Conner House and outbuildings were opened to the public as a museum.  The William Conner House, one of Indiana’s oldest brick houses , is in the traditional Georgian colonial style. Using this building as a jumping-off point, the museum curators constructed other early 19th-century farmhouses and buildings on the surrounding land during the 1970s, expanding the museum into what is now Prairietown.

Prairietown recreates agrarian village life circa 1836. In a farming-based economy, daily tasks included tending livestock, planting or harvesting crops, preparing food, carding, spinning, and dying wool, or working at trades such as blacksmithing or pottery, making goods that could not otherwise be obtained. In a community as small as this, each member was dependent upon the others for the services he or she could offer, and there were certainly no secrets. Prairietown’s costumed interpreters are eager to share pieces of local gossip, or tell stories about the town’s history.

Conner Prairie also includes a traditional Lenape village, where visitors can meet historical interpreters and learn about Native American artistry and trading. Though tensions were frequently high between native people and settlers, periods of peace could bring mutual prosperity through the exchange of goods and knowledge. The proximity of Prairietown and the Lenape village is representative of countless early American towns, as settlers vied for ownership of native land and resources and negotiated transient periods of collaboration and conflict.

Frontier Culture Museum, Staunton, Virginia

As the first established colony in America, Virginia attracted settlers from all over the world, all hoping to make their fortunes in the fertile American soil. The Frontier Culture Museum, which aims to pay tribute to this geographically diverse American ancestry, features original and recreation 18th-century buildings from England, Germany, Ireland, and West Africa, where visitors can learn about the cultural traditions and contributions of Western pioneers from each place.

Like the early pioneers, many of the museum’s buildings made quite a journey before coming to rest in the Shenandoah Valley. The museum’s original structures, like this 17th-century German farmhouse, were deconstructed and moved from around the country and even around the world to be reassembled piece by piece in their final location.

According to its founder , the museum aims to paint a picture of pioneers both ‘before’ and ‘after their arrival in America. The buildings representing the native homes of these pioneers show what life would have looked like before their journey to Virginia, while the ‘American’ section of the museum illustrates what it came to look like after they had settled. This latter section of the museum features a 1700s American settlement, an 1820s American farm, an 1850s American farm, an early American schoolhouse , and a 1700s Native American farm.

The 200-acre site gives guests the opportunity to meet costumed interpreters from both the ‘before’ and ‘after’ sections, learning about their lives and how they came to settle in Virginia. A West African farmer explains how his daughters were kidnapped by slavers and shipped to America, while an Irish blacksmith’s apprentice dreams of a life free from poverty and hunger across the ocean. In the ‘American’ section of the museum, tradesmen and artisans describe how their techniques have evolved from their native training to incorporate the new materials available to them in Virginia.

Genesee Country Village and Museum, Mumford, New York

The largest living history museum in New York State and the third largest in the US, the Genesee Country Village Museum is a recreated 19th-century village which comprises 68 historic buildings across 600 acres.  The museum’s original structures span a century’s worth of history, from the scattered Genesee Valley pioneer settlements of 1795-1830, to the evolution of a more condensed town center between 1830 and 1870, to the more industrialized post-war ‘Gas Light District’ of 1860-1900.

The museum features an impressive collection of original buildings, all sourced from the State of New York and relocated to the Genesee Valley. The pioneer settlement section of the village features largely rustic, wood-shingled buildings constructed during the early to mid-1800s, including this original one-room schoolhouse dating back to 1822. Here, children ranging in age from three to 15 would attend class in the winter and summer only, as they would be needed at home to help on the farms during the spring and fall.

The Center Village illustrates the mid 19th-century shift from a farm to a commerce-based economy, and is home to the museum’s tradesmen and artisans. Live demonstrations of contemporary techniques are performed by the local shoemaker, dressmaker, cooper, potter, gunsmith, wheelwright, printer, lawyer, and of course, publican. The Center Village also showcases some beautiful mid-century, Greek-Revival mansions, the homes of some of New York’s wealthier entrepreneurs who made their fortunes in banking or the mill industry.

Culture and activity flourish in the most modern part of the museum, the bustling ‘Gas Light District’. Here, visitors can explore the Davis Opera House (pictured), which served as a general store on the first floor, and on the second as an elegant lecture theatre and music hall, where travelling performers, musicians, and even circus acts would entertain locals. This section of the village also houses the museum’s Silver Base Ball Park, where guests can witness 19th-century base ball (as it was contemporaneously spelled) games all summer long.

Greenfield Village, Dearborn, Michigan

Greenfield Village is the living history branch of The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation , the largest indoor-outdoor museum complex in the United States, founded by Ford himself. The 80-acre living history museum was the first of its kind in the country, and is divided into seven ‘historic districts’, sections dedicated to immersing guests in a specific element of 19th-century life.  Four of the districts are dedicated to representing more traditional features of early American village life, while the final three districts of the museum are dedicated to scientific innovation.

Guests start their journey through Greenfield Village by exploring the sections dedicated to more traditional daily life. These include ‘Working Farms’, where visitors can explore four different fully operational 19th-century farms; ‘Liberty Craftworks’, where skilled artisans demonstrate authentic techniques; ‘Main Street’, the bustling center of contemporary commerce and entrepreneurship, and ‘Porches & Parlours’, a series of original 19th-century houses and farmhouses collected from across the United States.

An architectural highlight of the village, though it might seem slightly incongruous with its surroundings, is this 1619 Cotswold Cottage, imported from England. Over several visits to England in the 1920s, Henry Ford fell in love with the quaint and characteristic Cotswolds architecture. By 1929, so great was his love for these buildings that he decided to purchase, deconstruct, and move a Cotswolds cottage all the way to his home in Greenfield, Michigan, where it was reassembled and still stands to this day.

The scientific sections of the museum include ‘Henry Ford’s Model T District’, where guests can trace the life and work of Henry Ford right up to his creation of the Model T, which they can then take for a spin; ‘Railroad Junction’, where visitors can climb on board a 19th-century steam engine, and explore an original 1884 ‘ roundhouse ’ where trains were repaired and maintained; and finally, ‘Edison at Work’, which provides visitors with the opportunity to set foot in the original R&D labs where Edison invented the lightbulb.

Plimoth Patuxet Museums, Plymouth, Massachusetts

Plymouth Patuxet is a recreation of the original Plymouth Colony, a 17th-century Massachusetts settlement established by English colonists who later came to be known as the Pilgrims. The living history museum comprises a traditional English village, as well as Historic Patuxet, home of the indigenous Wampanoag people. Guests can also stroll down to the harbor and board the Mayflower II , a full-scale reproduction of the ship that brought the English colonists to Massachusetts in 1620.

The English village features a collection of reconstructed 17th-century timber-framed houses, each outfitted with reproduction furniture, household items, and articles of clothing. Most of these structures consist of only one room, and the barest of essentials. The village is set in the year 1627, when the settlers were desperately fighting for survival in the harsh New England climate. In the surrounding gardens and fields, third-person costumed interpreters pound corn, pull weeds, or even engage in a ‘muster drill’ led by Captain Myles Standish, commander of the Plymouth Colony Militia.

However, before the colonists arrived in Massachusetts, the local Wampanoag people numbered between 50,000 and 100,000 across 67 different villages. Historic Patuxet is a recreation of a traditional Wampanoag village, consisting of a cooking area, fields of crops, and several wetus , or houses. Each wetu is lined with fur-laden benches where the villagers would gather around a fire for storytelling and song to pass the long winter nights and ward off the cold.

Elsewhere in the village, interpreters discuss what life would have been like for the Wampanoag in the 17th century. Visitors may be invited to play a traditional game made from animal bones, to sample a seasonal dish in the cooking area, to help in the garden planting squash, beans, and corn, or even to help work on a mishoon, a traditional dug-out canoe. The interpreters, many of whom dress in traditional Wampanoag attire, explain how many of the rich cultural traditions on display in the village are still in practice today

Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, St. Augustine, Florida

First sighted in 1513 by the Spanish explorer and conquistador Juan Ponce de Leon, and settled in 1565 by Pedro Menendez de Aviles, St. Augustine was America’s first European colony. Of course, like so many American colonies, the land had previously been occupied by the indigenous Timucua people, but the Spanish settlers were soon so numerous that the colony expanded, making it the first successful European settlement in the United States. Today, the site is a historical reservation known as Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park.

Of course, this intriguing name has an origin story. When Ponce de Leon sailed for the Americas, his intention was never to create a settlement, but rather to hunt for gold or other precious goods to bring back to Spain. However, upon hearing the Taino (another indigenous local tribe) legend about a spring said to exist on the isle of Bimini which would provide eternal life and youth to anyone who bathed in its waters, Ponce de Leon began his quest for the Fountain of Youth.

While none of the original architecture from the early Spanish settlement survives, today, visitors to the park can take a taste from the supposed ‘Fountain of Youth’ in the Spring House, a modern building encompassing the original spring recorded in a 17th-century Spanish land grant. The park also features a recreated portion of the Seloy village, the original village of the Timucua people who were driven off the land by Spanish settlers. The recreated structures include a historically informed anoti , or large family house, as well as a nihi paha , or meeting house.

Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge, Massachusetts

Old Sturbridge Village is the largest living history museum in New England, recreating rural life from the 1790s through the 1830s. The entire property consists of 200 acres and 59 buildings, both informed reconstructions and original structures collected from across New England. The village is divided into three sections, with the ‘Center Village’ at its heart. This section consists of civic buildings including a law office, printing office, meetinghouse, and bank, all centered around the town green.

‘The Countryside’ section consists of a collection of homes and farmhouses, as well as a fully operational farm complete with livestock, orchards, and various barns and outbuildings. Sturbridge’s economy once thrived off this land, and the calendar year was structured around the various chores associated with a working farm - sowing seeds, shearing sheep, picking apples, and harvesting crops. Elsewhere in this section of town, the potter, cooper, and blacksmith forge the tools necessary to keep the farms in good working order.

The final sector, the ‘Mill Neighborhood’, features three different, fully operational, water-powered mills: a gristmill, a sawmill, and a carding mill. Of the three mills, the carding mill is the only original structure, with both the building and its machinery dating back to 1840. The three mills are reliant upon the millpond for their energy source, which can be crossed by means of a traditional New England covered bridge imported from Vermont.

Though Sturbridge was largely self-sustaining in its industries, it was nevertheless a center of international commerce, importing cotton textiles from England, France, and India, silks from China and Italy, and dyestuffs from the West Indies and South America. These and other luxury goods (both original artifacts and recreations) can be found for sale in the Asa Knight store, and on display in the richly appointed Salem Towne House, an impressively large Federal Style home once owned by a wealthy businessman and justice of the peace.

Mystic Seaport, Mystic, Connecticut

Mystic Seaport is a recreation of a once-bustling 19th-century sea-faring village, and part of the larger Mystic Seaport Museum. The buildings are all original structures, transported to the seaport from around New England. Most of the buildings house trades related to the village’s maritime past, and visitors can explore an historic sail loft, rigging loft, ship carver, ship chandlery, and a shop selling nautical instruments. The museum also houses a collection of historic vessels moored along its wharf, including the world’s last surviving wooden whaleship , the Charles W. Morgan.

The seaport village originated from a small family business. In 1837, the three Greenman brothers, all trained shipbuilders, bought a piece of land along the Mystic River estuary which they planned to turn into a shipyard. However, with the success and expansion of the shipyard in the 1840s, the area grew into an industrial ship-manufacturing village known as Greenmanville. As the local industry expanded, many homes, rental properties, and boarding houses were constructed in the area, most of which are still standing and are now a part of the museum.

Perhaps the most impressive of these historic buildings is the George Greenman House, built in 1839 for George Greenman, the eldest of the three brothers, and his wife Abigail. George, the founder of the shipyard, lived here with his younger brothers until they built their own homes (also included in the museum) in 1841 and 1842 respectively.  The house was designed in the Greek Revival style popular at the time, though the intricate decorations visible today were added later, in the 1870s.

Not all of the buildings owned by the museum are open to the public, but visitors can explore inside several of its more historic sites, such as the Mystic Bank established in 1833. In 1856, the bank transferred to a new, larger building, also in the Greek Revival style, and in 1951 this building was dismantled and moved two miles down the river to join the museum. The second floor of the building houses the shipping office, where visitors can see records and furniture dating to the late 19th century.

El Rancho de Las Golondrinas, Santa Fe, New Mexico

El Rancho de Las Golondrinas, or ‘the ranch of the swallows’, is a living history museum dating to the early 1700s. Situated along the Camino Real, the Royal Road connecting Mexico City and Santa Fe, this historic rancho was once a popular stopping place for caravans en route to the big city, as well as a trading post for goods. Today, this 200-acre site strives to preserve this heritage and culture, offering visitors the unique opportunity to experience life in 18th and 19th-century agrarian New Mexico.

The museum was established in 1972 by Leonora Curtain and her husband, Yrjö Alfred (Y.A.) Paloheimo. During the Great Depression, Curtain had previously founded Santa Fe’s Native Market, a venue for local artisans to sell their work in an effort to re-establish and preserve traditional techniques of Santa Fe artistry. Curtain demonstrated the same historical enthusiasm in reviving the old ranch site, originally purchased by her mother in 1932. She tirelessly restored original buildings, imported others from across New Mexico, and erected historically informed replicas.   

The buildings on display at El Rancho are representative of the range of architectural structures common in New Mexico in the 19th century, and are reflective of the cultural influence of both the native Pueblo People, and the Spanish settlers who arrived in the late 17th century. The majority of the buildings are made of adobe plastered with mud, giving them the characteristic soft red color. However, some of the more recent buildings constructed towards the end of the 19th century, such as the mill and schoolhouse, are more reminiscent of Western log cabins.

Once a bustling trading post, the museum features 47 different sites, most of them dedicated to the practice of a specific trade or craft. Artisans demonstrate traditional techniques including hide tanning, carpentry, wool dying, blacksmithery, or the making of wine, among many others. Visitors can also explore traditional century homes, speak with costumed interpreters, and learn about the daily chores and activities of the farmers and traders who inhabited the ranch hundreds of years ago.

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You Can Rent These 2 Historic Homes on the Gettysburg Battlefield — Here's How

The National Park Service is opening up a pair of historic homes on the Gettysburg battlefield for overnight stays later this month, allowing travelers to take a step back in time.

Courtesy of NPS

The National Park Service (NPS) is opening up a pair of historic homes on the Gettysburg battlefield for overnight stays later this month, allowing travelers to take a step back in time.

The two homes — the Michael Bushman and the John Slyder houses — will be available for bookings starting May 24, according to the NPS . Reservations for the Pennsylvania homes will be available on recreation.gov .

“Our visitors will now have an extraordinary opportunity to stay in two of the battlefield’s historic homes,” Kristina Heister, the Gettysburg National Military Park superintendent, said in a statement obtained by Travel + Leisure. “The program is being implemented as a three-year pilot that affords visitors with a unique and immersive experience on the battlefield and provides funding support for the repair and maintenance of our many historic structures.”

Each home has its own place in Civil War history, making each uniquely significant. Both witnessed the Battle of Gettysburg on July 2, 1863.

During the battle, the John Slyder home’s farm served as a defensive position for Union sharpshooters, while the Michael Bushman home’s farm — which used to be rented out before the COVID-19 pandemic — served as a staging ground for Confederate General John Bell Hood’s attack.

While travelers who book the homes may feel like they’re stepping back in time, each home is fully equipped with modern conveniences like updated kitchens complete with dishes, utensils, a coffee maker, stove, microwave, dishwasher, and refrigerator, central heating and air conditioning, and all linens, sheets, pillows, and towels provided.

The John Slyder farmhouse features a large loft bedroom with two queen beds and one bathroom. Rates start at $165 per night during non-peak season and $200 during peak season.

The Bushman house is larger and features three bedrooms and one and a half bathrooms. Rates start at $325 per night during non-peak season and $400 during peak season.

But you don’t have to wait to book the homes to see inside. The NPS offers 3D and 360-degree video tours of each online .

The Gettysburg National Military Park is located in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, which was named one of the best small towns on the East Coast .

Related Articles

What America’s First Board Game Tells Us About the Aspirations of a Young Nation

Released in 1822, the Travelers’ Tour Through the United States took players on a cross-country adventure

Matthew Wynn Sivils, The Conversation

Board games are booming: In 2023 alone, the industry topped $16.8 billion globally, and by 2032, it’s projected to reach $40.1 billion.

Classics like Scrabble are being refreshed and transformed, while newer inventions such as Pandemic and Wingspan have garnered millions of devotees.

This growing cardboard empire was on my mind when I visited the American Antiquarian Society in August 2023 to research its collection of early games.

As I sat in that archive, which houses such treasures as the 1640 Bay Psalm Book , the first book printed in British America, I beheld another first in American printing: a board game called the Travelers’ Tour Through the United States .

This forgotten game, printed in 1822, the year after Missouri became a state , has a lot to say about America’s nascent board game industry , as well as how the young country saw itself.

An archival find

Produced by the New York cartography firm of F. & R. Lockwood, the Travelers’ Tour was an imitation of earlier European geography games , a genre of educational game. These activities generally used a map for a board, and the rules involved players reciting geographic facts as they raced toward the finish.

The Travelers’ Tour first appeared in 1822, making it the earliest known board game printed in the U.S.

But for almost a century, another game was thought to hold that honor.

In 1894, the game manufacturer Parker Brothers acquired the rights to the Mansion of Happiness , an English game first produced in the U.S. in 1843. In its promotional materials, the company declared it “the first board game ever published in America.”

That distinction ended in 1991, when a game collector found the copy of the Travelers’ Tour in the archives of the American Antiquarian Society.

A new game for the new year

By 1822, the American market for board games was already becoming established, and middle- and upper-class parents would buy games for their families to enjoy around the parlor table.

At that time, New Year’s—not Christmas—was the holiday for gift-giving . Many booksellers, who earned money from the sale of books, playing cards and other paper goods throughout the year, sold special wares to give as presents.

These items included holiday-themed books, puzzles (then called “ dissected maps ”) and paper dolls, as well as games imported from England, such as the New Game of Human Life and the Royal and Entertaining Game of the Goose .

Since the Travelers’ Tour was the first board game to employ a map of the U.S., it might have been an especially interesting gift for American consumers.

It’s difficult, however, to gauge just how popular the Travelers’ Tour was in its time. No sales records are known to exist, and since so few copies remain, it likely wasn’t a big seller.

A global database of library holdings shows only a few copies of the Travelers’ Tour in institutions around the U.S. And while a handful of additional copies are housed in museums and private archives, the game is certainly a rarity.

Teetotums and travelers

Announcing itself as a “pleasing and instructive pastime,” the Travelers’ Tour consists of a hand-colored map of the then-24 states and a numbered list of 139 towns and cities, ranging from New York City to New Madrid, Missouri. Beside each number is the name and description of the corresponding town.

Using a variant spelling for the device, the instructions stipulate that the game should be “performed with a Tetotum.” Small top-like devices with numbers around their sides, teetotums functioned as alternatives to dice, which were associated with immoral games of chance.

Once spun, the teetotum landed with a random side up, revealing a number. The player looked ahead that number of spaces on the map. If they could recite from memory the name of the town or city, they moved their token, or traveler, to that space. Whoever got to New Orleans first won.

An idealized portrait of a young country

Though not necessary to play the Travelers’ Tour, the descriptions provided for each location tell historians a lot about America’s national aspirations.

These accounts coalesce into a flattering portrait of the nation’s agricultural, commercial, historical and cultural character.

Promoting the value of education, the game highlights institutions of learning. For example, Philadelphia’s “literary and benevolent institutions are numerous and respectable.” Providence boasts “Brown University, a respectable literary institution.” And Boston’s “citizens … are enterprising and liberal in the support of religious and literary institutions.”

As the game pieces meander toward New Orleans, players learn about Richmond’s “fertile backcountry” and the “polished manners and unaffected hospitality” of the citizens of Charleston. Savannah “contains many splendid edifices” and Columbia’s “South Carolina College … bids fair to be a valuable institution.”

Absent from any corresponding descriptions, however, is any mention of what politician John C. Calhoun called America’s “peculiar institution” of slavery and its role in the fabric of the nation.

And while four entries briefly reference Native Americans, no mention is made of the ongoing dispossession and genocide of millions of Indigenous people.

Though it promotes an American identity based on a sanitized version of the nation’s economic might and intellectual rigor, the Travelers’ Tour nonetheless represents an important step toward what has become a burgeoning American board game industry.

Two centuries later, board game culture has matured to the point that new titles such as Freedom: The Underground Railroad and Votes for Women push the genre to new heights, using the joy of play to teach the history of the era that spawned America’s first board game.

This article is republished from the Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article .

Matthew Wynn Sivils is the director of Iowa State University’s Center for Excellence in the Arts and Humanities.

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DII softball tournament

🏆 Adela Cernousek captures individual DI women's golf title

🥎 Re-ranking super regional teams

📊 Final DI baseball Power 10

NCAA.com | May 21, 2024

• 2024 ACC baseball tournament: Bracket, schedule, scores

Here's a look at the 2024 ACC baseball tournament, which starts with pool play on Tuesday, May 21 and lasts through the championship game on Sunday, May 26.

2024 ACC baseball tournament bracket

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2024 ACC baseball tournament schedule, scores

All times ET

Tuesday, May 21 — Pool Play

• Game 1: No. 7 Louisville vs. No. 11 Miami | 11 a.m. | ACC Network
• Game 2: No. 5 Florida State vs. No. 9 Georgia Tech | 3 p.m. | ACC Network
• Game 3: No. 6 Duke vs. No. 10 Virginia Tech | 7 p.m. | ACC Network

Wednesday, May 22 — Pool Play

• Game 4: No. 4 Virginia vs. No. 9 Georgia Tech | 11 a.m. | ACC Network
• Game 5: No. 8 Wake Forest vs. No. 12 Pittsburgh | 3 p.m. | ACC Network
• Game 6: No. 3 NC State vs. No. 10 Virginia Tech | 7 p.m. | ACC Network

Thursday, May 23 — Pool Play

• Game 7: No. 2 Clemson vs. No. 11 Miami | 11 a.m. | ACC Network
• Game 8: No. 1 North Carolina vs. No. 12 Pitt | 3 p.m. | ACC Network
• Game 9: No. 3 NC State vs. No. 6 Duke | 7 p.m. | ACC Network

Friday, May 24 — Pool Play

• Game 10: No. 4 Virginia vs. No. 5 Florida State | 11 a.m. | ACC Network
• Game 11: No. 2 Clemson vs. No. 7 Louisville | 3 p.m. | ACC Network
• Game 12: No. 1 North Carolina vs. No. 8 Wake Forest | 7 p.m. | ACC Network

Saturday, May 25 — Semifinals

• Semifinal No. 1: Pool A Winner vs. Pool D Winner | 1 p.m. | ACC Network
• Semifinal No. 2: Pool B Winner vs. Pool C Winner | 5 p.m. | ACC Network

Sunday, May 26 — Championship

• Semifinal winners | 12 p.m. | ESPN2

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We finally know how cockroaches conquered the world

A new study traces the German cockroach’s evolution throughout human history, from the Islamic empires to modern-day Europe.

If you’ve ever gotten up for a midnight snack and flicked on the kitchen light only to discover an army of shiny brown insects zipping beneath your fridge, then you already know the German cockroach .

Despite their name, German cockroaches now inhabit every continent except Antarctica. In fact, scientists consider the species, Blattella germanica , to be the most prevalent of the 4,600 cockroach species on Earth.

Which is surprising, given that the animals were basically unknown in Europe until Swedish biologist Carl Linnaeus first described them in 1767. That and the fact that they have no close relatives there, nor does the species exist in the wild.

So how did everyone’s least favorite houseguest become a pest of global infamy? According to a new study, the answer is written in the German cockroach’s DNA.

By analyzing genome-wide markers of 281 cockroaches from 17 countries across six continents and measuring how closely those animals were related, scientists have for the first time traced the German cockroach’s rapid rise and spread.

All signs point to the species evolving from the Asian cockroach ( Blattella asahinai ) about 2,100 years ago in what is now India and Myanmar.

As the species apparently abandoned the wild for a life spent in the shadow of humans, German cockroaches appear to have arrived in the Middle East around 1,200 years ago—probably because of increased trade and military movements in the Islamic Umayyad or Abbasid caliphates, empires that once stretched from northern Africa to western Asia.

German cockroaches experienced another geographic leap when, about 390 years ago, colonial activities kicked into overdrive and the roaches found their way to Europe and, later, the rest of the world—thanks to improvements in transportation, the reach of European trade, and the advent of household heating, which allows the insects to survive the cold.

To be clear, all these movements and migrations would have been unwittingly aided by people. (Read how cockroaches have neighborhoods, too.)

“The German cockroach can’t even fly,” says Qian Tang , an evolutionary biologist at Harvard University and lead author of the study published May 20 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences . “They hitchhike in human vessels around the world.”

But it wasn’t just dumb luck that allowed the cockroaches to succeed.

Rather, it was the species’ unparalleled ability to adapt and evolve—something scientists are still trying to understand today, in the hopes that we might one day learn how to stop the German cockroach’s march across the planet.

The cockroach in the mirror

To get a sense of just how much German cockroaches have changed over the last two millennia, all you need to do is put them side by side with their closest living relative, the Asian cockroach.

For while the two species are still nearly identical, they couldn’t be more different in behavior.

If you ask me to name one species or organism that I respect the most, it’s probably the German cockroach. Chow-Yang Lee , urban entomologist at the University of California, Riverside

Asian cockroaches fly toward light sources, while German cockroaches scurry away, says Chow-Yang Lee , an urban entomologist at the University of California, Riverside. Likewise, if you toss the two species into the air, the Asian roaches take wing, while German cockroaches hit the ground running, he says.

“We have long suspected that the Asian cockroach is actually the ancestor for the German cockroach, but this paper pretty much nails it,” says Lee, who was not affiliated with the new study. “It’s extremely exciting.”

The study also revealed that German cockroach genetics reflect human relationships.

For instance, German cockroaches in Singapore and Australia are actually more closely related to their cousins in the U.S. than other German cockroach populations in nearby Indonesia. This is likely because the U.S. has historically had more trade with Singapore and Australia than Indonesia. (Read how bugs and spiders keep New York City clean by eating trash.)

“It's a beautiful example of the link between human activities, commerce, wars, colonization, and the spread of a well-adapted domiciliary pest,” study co-author Coby Schal , an urban entomologist and cockroach expert at North Carolina State University, said by email.

Gotta give some respect

German cockroaches outcompete other cockroaches everywhere they go, says Tang.

One reason for the species’ success is a faster reproductive rate than most other cockroach species, he says, which allows the animals to rapidly develop resistance to pesticides.

Earlier work by Schal’s lab revealed that after years of luring cockroaches to eat glucose-soaked poison, the population that survived sugary baits yielded a new breed of cockroaches that rejected sweets altogether. (Learn more why pesticides only make cockroaches stronger.)

“It’s just unthinkable,” says Lee. “Glucose is such an important metabolic fuel for all organisms.”

Lee says sometimes he and his colleagues will be working on a new, anti-roach compound that hasn’t even been released for commercial use yet, but by the time they test it on cockroaches in a lab, the animals are already resistant.

And that, combined with the wonders of modern transportation, lead him to have very little hope that humans will find a way to beat back cockroach infestations anytime soon.

“If you ask me to name one species or organism that I respect the most, it’s probably the German cockroach,” Lee says.

For Hungry Minds

Related topics.

• COCKROACHES
• HISTORY AND CIVILIZATION
• MODERN HISTORY

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