Gettysburg was site of the bloodiest battle during the Civil War. Today, the field is managed by the National Park Service. Millions flock to this small town in southern Pennsylvania to pay their respects to those who lost their lives there. Abraham Lincoln visited Gettysburg on its first anniversary and delivered his famous Gettysburg Address.
The park has recently opened a new visitor center with a compelling movie narrated by Morgan Freeman and a state of the art museum that merges the latest in technology with history. In a few months, the cyclorama will be reopened after refurbishing.
Washington Crossing is located in beautiful Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Bucks County is one of the hidden gems in Pennsylvania. A number of wonderful small towns dot the Delaware River, including New Hope, Lumberton, and Yardley in Pennsylvania and Lambertville and Stockton in New Jersey. One can begin their drive in Yardley and following the river visit these towns and enjoy the countryside. There are great restaurants, a number of wineries, and outdoor activities for the family. The quaint towns and shopping opportunities make the location a year-round tourist attraction.
The history of Bucks County is nearly as old as Pennsylvania itself. William Penn created the county upon his arrival. Throughout the 18th century, it served as a farming area for predominantly Quaker settlers.
The county became very important during the American Revolution. Although there were several loyalist factions in Bucks County, it is most famous for quartering Patriot troops in the winter of 1776. Washington's army stopped along the Delaware after their retreat from New York. At the time, the tide of war had swung to the British. Washington launched an offensive from Bucks County that helped boost the waning American morale. The famous crossing is memorialized in the painting by Emmanuel Leutze and is reenacted every winter. You can even help choose who will play Washington online at http://www.buckscountycvb.org/
In the 19th century, Bucks County served as the major artery that linked the port of Philadelphia with goods and materials in northeastern Pennsylvania. During the 19th century, states across the country supported internal improvements, massive government-sponsored transportation initiatives meant to spur economic growth. Among other things, Pennsylvania created a 60-mile canal that paralleled the Delaware but offered greater stability for barges to travel on. New Jersey also created a competing canal system on the other side of the Delaware. Today, the trails make for excellent walking, running, and biking paths.
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