Well, It's Summer 2021 and everyone is eager to get out/about again, a bit of a relief from Covid.  Let's hope the good times last and improve.    For us, this Summer is a chance to see family and friends in PA, NJ and NY that we have missed for the past couple of years.  Off in our RV we go.

Just a quick share of some local highlights we came across.  I am constantly impressed by some of the sights we have available in the good old US.  Many wonderful things to see all over this country.

First stop was Harrisburg, PA, state capital.  Not far from Gettysburg and Carlisle Army War College; however, did you know that Harrisburg also has a great National Civil War Museum?  Many dioramas, artifacts, weapons, stories and videos capture the good, bad and ugly about that primal conflict.  Maybe not as elaborate as WWII museum in New Orleans and the Nimitz one in Fredericksburg, TX, but very impressive nonetheless.  Highly recommend if you get up that way.         

                      

The Entrance.  Are you aware of the number of "firsts" that occurred during the Civil War?  First repeating rifle, first use of land mines, first battle of ironclad ships, first black soldiers, first draft, first income tax, first flame thrower, first medal of honor, first ready made clothing and first income tax, among others.


Ft Sumpter diorama, "First Shots"

Confederate prison, Andersonville, the worst

Next stop, President Buchanan's retirement home, "Wheatland", in Lancaster, PA.  Buchanan is regularly listed as the worst president we have had (CSPAN recently updated their list).  He may not have been very effective; however, IMHO he deserves a little more credit.  Yes, Buchanan was a Democrat, a believer in states rights, but he supported the Union during the Civil War.  He was a lifelong diplomat/politician, being a Congressman, Senator, ambassador to Russia, ambassador to Great Britain.  He was a believer in consensus and compromise during a time when no lasting compromise was possible (sound familiar?).  He was in England as the US Ambassador in the years prior to his election (1856), and tried (ineffectively) to keep our country out of conflict.  He was a family man and tried hard (ineffectively) to rehabilitate his reputation in his retirement.

Wheatland, built 1828, purchased by Buchanan 1848, lived there until his death 1868.  Our guide was excellent.

Poor Buchanan, always ranked last.


Lastly, had a wonderful visit with family in Princeton, NJ.  While there, visited a little gem called "Grounds For Sculpture", a place outside Trenton that Marlene has wanted to see for a long time.  A 42 acre space developed in 1992 by John Seward Johnson II, one of the heirs to the Johnson/Johnson Pharmaceutical  giant.  It contains a mix of spectacular modern art works plus replicas of real life people in excellent detail.  Had a wonderful lunch there after our walk through the park. Quite a few pieces. One of the lifelike creations was a representation of  Churchill (with cigar) painting a sketch during his retirement.



A modern sculpture

Excellent detail

                                                            Another modern piece









Comments

  1. RogerJuly 2, 2021 at 1:19 PM

    John, we always enjoy your travel blog. You and Marlene travel to interesting places. It's like we're right there with you. Looking forward to reading many more! Thanks for sharing. Shelia J.

    ReplyDelete

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