A Trip to Yesterday

“…Ford’s great museum and reconstructed village reflected his conviction that history was the story of technological progress” (403).

“Greenfield Village aimed to present ‘a history that is intimate and alive, instead of something in a book,’ Ford explained in 1929” (413).

The Book

Author Steven Watts divides The People’s Tycoon: Henry Ford and the American Century chronologically and topically. Watts defines each stage of Henry Ford’s life with a word: mechanic, inventor, father, educator, etc. The reader is introduced to a young farm boy who grew up to influence many aspects of American life. Henry Ford was born July 30, 1863 near Dearborn, Michigan. At a young age he became interested in mechanics and began work on his first car in 1893. In 1898, Ford obtained his first financial backers and began his quest to create a car for the average person.

In the late 1920s, Ford became interested in sharing his collection of American artifacts with the public. Out of this came Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford Museum. Ford sought to show how the average person lived and required total authenticity. Instead of focusing on politicians or war (which is often what history focuses on), Ford’s history was about the average person and his accomplishments. Greenfield Village particularly supported that history through the four categories: daily life in the past, famous Americans (like Webster and Edison), Henry Ford’s life, and the anchors of towns in the past: a town hall and church.

Watts provides a detailed and well researched biography of a man that is well-known to Americans. The People’s Tycoon is not just the story of Henry Ford, it is also the story of his companies and the people who helped Ford accomplish what he did. It is here that the narrative struggles: by stepping away from Ford’s story and providing biographies of others. The format (chronological and topical) requires some repeating of information, which is helpful due to the length of the book. Overall, the reader walks away with a complete biography of Henry Ford that reveals the good and the bad. 

The Place

Originally called the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village, the Henry Ford now refers to both the museum and village. The museum is a fantastic collection of famous and everyday items from the history of America. Visitors can see presidential limousines, items made in America, and the role automobiles played in American history. The village provides a living history that all ages can enjoy. Majority of these buildings are the originals that were disassembled in their original location, shipped to Michigan, and reassembled. Visitors can explore Thomas Edison’s laboratory where he developed the light bulb, the bicycle shop of the Wright brothers, and take a ride in a replica Model T. I would recommend at least two days at the Henry Ford, because there is so much to see and experience. The Henry Ford is a great place to experience the history of America.

Another Ford sight in Dearborn is the Fair Lane Estate, the home of Henry Ford and his family. The buildings are currently being restored, but the grounds are open to the public. While the Henry Ford provides visitors an insight into American history, the Fair Lane Estate provides visitors an insight into the life of Henry Ford. 
 

A Nation Remembers

“By the dawn of the twentieth century, Arlington had matured into something more than a Civil War cemetery; it had become a national symbol for sacrifice and honor, a rallying point for veterans, for ordinary visitors, and for solemn ceremony” (119).

The Book

On Hallowed Ground: The Story of Arlington National Cemetery by Robert M. Poole provides the reader with a history of America’s most famous cemetery. Arlington National Cemetery was born out of the Civil War and has been inexplicable linked to each of America’s wars since then. The land originally belonged to Mary Custis Lee, the wife of Robert E. Lee and great-granddaughter of Martha Washington. When Robert E. Lee chose to resign from the Union and lead the Confederate army, Arlington became a part of the Union’s defense of Washington, DC. Throughout much of its early history, the cemetery was a bridge, and was caught, between the struggle between the North and the South.

Arlington began as a 200 acre cemetery in 1864 and has grown to 624 acres. The white tombstones were put into practice in 1874 and the Tomb of the Unknown was dedicated on November 11, 1921. The United States Army Old Guard is tasked with the twenty-four hour guarding of the Tomb of the Unknown. The best part of On Hallowed Ground is Poole’s description of the Old Guard and their reverence for the Unknown Soldiers.

Overall, Poole does a good job explaining the creation of the cemetery and the people involved. However, some aspects of Arlington’s history and traditions are glossed over in deference to other events. For example, Poole spends an entire chapter on President Kennedy’s funeral, while only a couple of pages detailing the Old Guard. This decision plays into the complaints Poole details from the families who lost ordinary soldiers: more important people were often given more prominent burial plots and better funerals than the ordinary soldier.

The Place


Arlington NationalCemetery is located across the Potomac River from the Lincoln Memorial. Tours are available and they stop at the Tomb of the Unknown, President Kennedy gravesite, and Arlington House. Visitors can pick up a map at the Visitor Center to find the gravesites of famous Americans or family members.

The Tomb of the Unknown is humbling and the viewing of the changing of the guard is a unique experience. As you stand in the crowd, all you hear is the clicking of the soldier’s heels and you are struck by the sacrifice of the Unknowns and their families. Across from the Tomb of the Unknown are several memorials for the USS Maine, the Iran Hostage Rescue Team, and the Space Shuttles Challenger and Columbia. At the Arlington House, you have a sweeping view of the Potomac River and Washington, DC. Just in front of Arlington House lies Pierre Charles L’Enfant. L’Enfant was a Frenchmen who served in the Revolutionary War and designed the layout for the new capital city: Washington, DC. For his devotion to his adopted country, L’Enfant’s grave has the best view.

A visit to Arlington is not your typical tourist stop; it is a cemetery and visitors are expected to be reverent and respectful.

Give My Regards to Broadway

“As late as the turn of the century, the stage was truly a national construction. It was centered on Broadway, but there was much creative activity in other regions; Chicago had almost has many theatres as New York. However the expansion of theatre […] in the 1910s and 1920s made New York more than the center of activity: the source of it” (106).

The Book

Anything Goes: A History of the American Musical Theatre by Ethan Mordden follows the birth of the musical in America and the resulting innovations and genres. Mordden traces the first musical produced (The Beggar’s Opera in London) in 1728 to the birth of the American musical (The Black Crook) in 1866 to the present day blockbuster Wicked. As the musical evolved, innovations were first made in the score, then set design, and then the book itself. Once all three of these innovations were accomplished, unique characters became the norm for any musical.

While an interesting book, Anything Goes often feels like a detailed list. The plots for some musicals are described in detail and others are glossed over. Generous time is given to several key figures in American musical history, some are well-known names like Rodgers and Hammerstein and some are not as well-known like Victor Herbert. Mordden does well when he shows the way musicals changed and incorporated new and old concepts. Throughout the book, the American musical is shown maturing from shows with unrelated to songs to shows where “the script told the story and the score enhanced it in various ways” (119).

The Place

Broadway is synonymous with the American musical and the best way to experience Broadway is to attend a musical. TKTS provides day-of tickets at half the price. My friend and I bought our tickets through TKTS when we saw The Phantom of the Opera. Our seats were on the first floor towards the back and we had a great view of the stage. All shows on Broadway are offered, as long as there are empty seats for that date.

In the heart of Broadway is the restaurant Sardi’s. Mordden doesn’t mention Sardi’s in Anything Goes, but it is a large part of the American musical. Many casts would go to Sardi’s after opening night to wait for the first reviews. If you don’t have time to see a show or eat at Sardi’s, simply walking past the historic theatres is also a great way to experience Broadway. Each theatre has a story about past shows (hits and flops) and the actors who walked the stage. 

A Network of Bridges and Canals

“No one forgets a first glimpse of Venice […] there is a startling moment when one looks across the waves and finds what should not be there-stone towers, rich churches, and packed buildings rising up out of the sea” (9).

The Book

Venice: A New History by Thomas F. Madden packs a lot of history into an easy to read book. The topic is interesting and not difficult to understand; there is just enough history and facts for the average person. Madden begins with an introduction that provides a brief overview to Venice, explains the reason for the book, and piques the reader’s interest.

Once the reader’s interest is piqued, Madden dives into a chronological history of Venice. The reader will be struck by the fiercely independent, both politically and religiously, people and their early focus on business. Madden says, “For more than a thousand years Venice had been the only republic in the world-one that flourished in an age of kings, emperors, and tyrants. It did so […] because it was a state built purely on commerce” (358). The focus of Venice: A New History is on the city, the empire, and the people who built it.

It is difficult to provide a concise summary of Venice: A New History within the constraints of this blog, because Venice has a rich history that reaches all the way back to the Roman Empire. Venice officially became a city in 810, but its first inhabitants arrived during the 5^th century.  The city saw the break-up of the Roman Empire, participated in numerous crusades, watched the fall of the Byzantine Empire, experienced the shift of power in Western Europe, and survived to become a favorite tourist destination. Venice was an independent republic until 1797 when Napoleon conquered and looted the city. Until the unification of Italy in 1866, Venice was under French or Austrian rule.

I highly recommend reading this book. Both past and future tourists and students of history will find so much more information about Venice. Readers will finish this book with a new appreciation for the impact this city has had, whether in government, religion, banking, or culture.

The Place

The Venice today still looks the same as it did during the city’s heyday. Basilica di SanMarco was completed in 1094. The Piazza San Marco area was completed by 1177. It truly is amazing to stand in the Piazza and look at the impressive architecture, beautiful artwork and history surrounding you. During Venice’s independence as a city, this Piazza was the seat of government and public expression. Just around the corner from the Basilica di San Marco are the Bridge of Sighs and a phenomenal view of the lagoon.

Another highlight of Venice is the Rialto Bridge which spans the Grand Canal, and was built during the 16^th century. The Grand Canal, similar to a Main St., is packed with boats and gondolas while the Rialto Bridge is lined with shops that provide all types of souvenirs. My friend said to me when I visited, “Venice is a wandering city.” The best type of visit is simply walking around and exploring alleyways and canals. It is a tourist city and will most likely be crowded. However, if you are content wandering you will find hidden parks or bridges over a residential canal.

“As a republic in an age of monarchy and a capitalist economy in a time of agrarian feudalism, Venice has always stood apart from the world while simultaneously catering to its needs. In that respect, nothing has changed. Then, as now, Venice remains a city of honor and profit” (427). 

The Boy and the Fair

“Do you remember the Midway? The Snake-Eater, and the Living Skeleton, the Fat Woman and the Shoot the Chute, the Scenic Railway and the Ferris Wheel?” (50).

The Book

The Lost Boy by Thomas Wolfe is a unique book that is enjoyable to read. Wolfe breaks the book into four parts that are all connected by two things: his older brother Grover and the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis. Grover died after a trip to the Fair and his death is linked to the family’s memories of the Fair.

Part One is narrated by a third person and introduces the reader to Grover. The focus is less on dialogue and more on describing Grover and his day in the town square. At the end, Grover sees a sign for the Fair. Part Two is a re-telling of the train ride to the Fair by Grover’s mother to Wolfe. The mother relives the excitement of the Fair and her love for Grover. Part Three is a re-telling of trips to the Fair by Grover’s older sister to Wolfe. This part is written like a one-sided conversation and the sister recalls the day Grover became sick. Part Four finds Wolfe returning to the family’s home in St. Louis and re-calling the year of the Fair. Throughout this part, Wolfe is looking for the home and Grover.

The introduction provides background on Wolfe and his family which helps the reader to understand the context. Wolfe writes descriptively and provides the words for the reader to visualize the places and people. The Lost Boy delves into the loss felt by a family after the early death of a child in an interesting way. The family recalls Grover and the impact he is still having on their lives, all while underneath the shadow of memories of the Fair.

The Place

Forest Park was the home of the 1904 World’s Fair (Louisiana Purchase Exposition) and the 1904 Summer Olympics. The Park is a huge plot of land just to the west of downtown St. Louis and there are many attractions. Visitors can visit the Missouri History Museum, St. Louis Art Museum, St. Louis Science Center, and St. Louis Zoo. In addition to picnics and walking trails, there are also paddleboats. The Muny is an outdoor theatre that puts on musicals throughout the summer.

There is plenty of parking at Forest Park and majority of the attractions are free. The park provides signs that point out directions for points of interest. When I visited, my friends and I walked through the St. Louis Art Museum. The pieces on display provide a wide variety of art styles; my favorite was the large water lily piece by Monet. We also visited the World’s Fair Pavilion. According to the Forest Park website, this building was “built in 1909 with proceeds from the 1904 World's Fair.” Although it wasn’t standing during the Fair, a walk up to the Pavilion provides a great view of the Park.

Chicago's South Side Team

“Comiskey Park, however, appeared grand, as you would expect from a place that by 1911 billed itself the Baseball Palace of the World” (ix).

The Book

Baseball Palace of the World: The Last Year of Comiskey Park by Douglas Bukowski is a fan’s reflections on baseball, the White Sox, and the last season in Comiskey Park. Comiskey Park was built in 1910, by White Sox owner Charles Comiskey, and enlarged in 1926. According to Bukowski, “Comiskey Park is not just some bricks and grandstands […]; it is a design meant to fit the working-class neighborhood of Bridgeport” (11). Designer Zachary Taylor Davis created a park that would fit the neighborhood and provide closeness between the players and fans. Comiskey Park was the host of the first All-Star Game and was eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. However, the decision was made in the late 1980s to build a new stadium.

Baseball Palace of the World is a result of this decision to demolish Comiskey Park. The chapters are broken into months from October 1989 to September 1990. Each chapter provides information about the White Sox’s seasons, Bukowski’s reflections on the history of the park, and his cynicism towards the new stadium. Throughout the book, Bukowski discusses the difference between a ballpark and a stadium. The ballpark provided a connection between the players and fans; a stadium does not allow for that connection. The reader can’t help sympathizing with the Sox fans that fought to keep the park and its unique history. 

The Place

Having visited both Wrigley Field and US Cellular Field (the White Sox Stadium), I understand the difference between a ballpark and stadium. I would have to agree with Bukowski that a stadium misses an aspect that the ballpark provides.

Today, a parking lot sits on the land Comiskey Park once occupied and US Cellular Field is across the street. The Home Plate from Comiskey Park is on display by Gate 5, Lot B. Statues of famous Sox players and Charles Comiskey are located around the stadium. According to the White Sox website, US Cellular Field includes an exploding scoreboard and arches, both nods to the original Comiskey Park. Even though it is not Comiskey Park, it is still fun to attend a White Sox game; US Cellular Field provides great views of the Chicago skyline and surrounding neighborhoods. 

Clark and Addison

“Wrigley Field has seen it all: baseball, football, basketball, wrestling, women’s pro baseball and even vaudeville. But mostly Wrigley has seen baseball, good and bad, glorious and embarrassing” (xiii).

The Book

Wrigley Field: The Unauthorized Biography by Stuart Shea delivers exactly what it promises: a biography of the second oldest ballpark in America (Fenway Park has Wrigley beat by two years). Shea introduces the reader to the land that became Wrigley Field and the people behind it. The land was purchased in 1909 to become home to a new minor league baseball team; at this time, the Cubs played on the West Side and the Sox were on the South Side.

The minor league team never happened and in 1914 the Federal League (a third “major” league) built a ballpark for the Chicago Federals. Wrigley Field was built with future expansion in mind and much of the same structure still remains. The Chicago Federals lasted two seasons and their owner, Charley Weeghman, bought the Cubs. The Cubs moved to Wrigley Field and their first game was played April 20, 1916. Two years later, Weeghman sold control of the Cubs to William Wrigley. The Wrigley family owned the Cubs until they sold them to the Tribune Co. in 1981. In 1926, the field’s name became Wrigley after going through several different names in the previous years.

In order to completely tell the story of Wrigley Field, Shea provides a brief history of the time period, local characters, politics, and unique stories and facts. The chapters are broken up into short sections that introduce new topics; the one downside is the lack of consistency in chapter lengths. Wrigley Field: The Unauthorized Biography chronicles the ups and downs of a baseball team and their fan base. Life is not always perfect for the Chicago Cubs, yet their loyal fan base is as unique as the field itself.

The Place

The best way to visit Wrigley Field is to attend a ball game. Just like any other major league team, tickets can be hard to get, but it is worth it. I’m not a Cubs fan, but the atmosphere of the game I attended is unlike any other. The stadium is smaller and truly provides an intimate feel with the game and fans. A visitor can see both Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline from Wrigley. The “L” rattles past the field and it is refreshing to have a scoreboard that is not electronic.

If you can’t attend a ball game, tours are available. The tour gives visitors an in-depth look at the ballpark and its rich history. Even if you can’t attend a game or a tour, it is a great experience to simply walk around Wrigley. On game days the neighborhood is packed and it seems like you have stepped back in time. Unlike so many other ballparks, where you must walk from a large parking lot to an industrial area, Wrigley Field immediately immerses you in the ballpark atmosphere, no matter your mode of transportation.

The World's Largest Office Building

“In the Pentagon, the War Department now had a headquarters that was four times the size of the British War Office at Whitehall, the German Kriegsministerium in Berlin, and the Japanese General Staff headquarters building in Tokyo-combined” (296).

The Book

The Pentagon: A History by Steve Vogel provides an in-depth history of the five-sided building that has become an American icon. I recommend all the books I write about in my blog, but this one is one of the best I have read. Vogel takes the reader through each step of the process and introduces a colorful cast of characters.

Prior to 1941, the War Department was scattered in numerous buildings throughout the Washington, DC area. In peacetime, this was a minor issue. As the war clouds loomed in Europe and Asia, this was becoming a crisis. Brigadier General Brehon Somervell was picked to lead the construction of a new, temporary, War Department building. The pentagon shape was conceived over a weekend to follow the height restriction and space requirements. Somervell promised the first workers would move in one year after construction began. The groundbreaking was September 11, 1941 and the first workers moved into their offices on May 1, 1942. 

The final chapters of the book focus on the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001 and the reconstruction of the damaged Pentagon. For anyone who watched the terrorist attacks on television or in person, these chapters bring back many emotions. Instantly you remember where you were and the thoughts you had. The construction crews were committed to rebuild the Pentagon quickly and the first workers moved back in on August 15, 2002. I think Vogel’s final paragraph sums it all up well, “The Pentagon had been conceived over a long weekend. Its design had been one step ahead-and sometimes one step behind-its construction. The pentagonal shape, like so many aspects of the building, was essentially an accident, born of the speed in which the project was pursued. The construction had been slapdash; columns were missing, concrete pours uneven, drawings wrong or missing altogether. Yet somehow the Pentagon was designed wisely and constructed well. Somervell’s building had proven itself one for the ages” (500). 

The Place

The Pentagon is a fascinating place to visit. Tours are provided and you must make reservations in advance. A member of the Armed Forces guides you throughout the halls of the Pentagon explaining each area. There are restrictions when visiting-no photography allowed in the Pentagon and cell phones must be turned off. However, the tour gives visitors a look at the inside of the War Department and the chance to walk where many American heroes have walked.

Included in the tour is the Memorial Chapel for those who died in the September 11^th attacks. This is a solemn location that reminds visitors of the ultimate sacrifice so many people made that day. Outside of the Pentagon is the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial. Each bench represents one of the people who perished and the benches are placed in age order, from the youngest to the oldest. Both Memorials are moving and give visitors a chance to reflect on the events of September 11, 2001.

The General's Home After the Presidency

“Fifty evergreens lined the avenue from Waterworks Road to the farm residence, a gift of the Republican state committees” (21).

The Book

Going Home to Glory: A Memoir of Life with Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1961-1969 is part personal stories and part history. Authors David Eisenhower and Julie Nixon Eisenhower bring so much to the book because of their personal connection with Dwight D. Eisenhower. David is Eisenhower’s grandson and his wife, Julie, is the daughter of Richard M. Nixon. The book follows the last eight years of Eisenhower’s life which were also his years after the White House.

Eisenhower and his wife, Mamie, moved to their farm in Gettysburg, PA in 1961. It is a short drive from the White House to Gettysburg, and the small town was eager to become home to the president. The Eisenhower’s became involved in the community and their grandchildren were often visitors. David tells of his summers spent working on the farm and getting to know his grandfather in a context other than president. Eisenhower did not stay secluded at Gettysburg. He and Mamie traveled to homes in the south and west to visit friends and golf. Despite his retirement, Presidents Kennedy and Johnson sought Eisenhower’s advice on numerous issues.

Because Going Home to Glory is authored by Eisenhower’s family, the reader feels a personal connection to one of the First Families. Details are given on the presidential transfer of power, the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, and presidential elections. The details are given through the lens of Eisenhower’s views, diary entries, and discussions with family. It is a unique way to learn more about American history.

The Place

The Eisenhower’s bought their farm in 1950 and it was the first home they owned as a married couple. They had moved thirty-three times during Eisenhower’s career with the Army. The farm included orchards, a putting green, a brick hut and patio, a skeet and trap shoot range, and a herd of cattle. In 1965, Eisenhower sold his cattle herd and he and Mamie deeded their land to the National Park Service, effective upon their deaths.

Today, visitors to the Gettysburg can tour the Eisenhower National Historic Site adjacent to the Gettysburg National Battlefield. You are able to tour both the house and farms to see what it was like when Eisenhower and Mamie lived there. The Historic Site also teaches visitors about Eisenhower’s service during World War II and as the president. It is a great experience to walk where an American leader during World War II and the Cold War walked. If you are traveling with children, there are two ways they can get a hands-on experience: the Junior Secret Service Agent Program and a virtual tour of the home.  

O-H-I-O

“The Buckeyes were more than just a local team. They were the prism through which Columbus viewed itself” (17).

The Book

War as They Knew It: Woody Hayes, Bo Schembechler, and America in a Time of Unrest is an interesting look at two football coaches, a historic football rivalry, and the changing of the culture in the 1960s and 1970s. Author Michael Rosenberg weaves together the stories, styles, and differences of The Ohio State University and University of Michigan football coaches.

Woody Hayes coached The Ohio State University for twenty-seven years. In those years he invested in the education of his players, saw the culture go through drastic changes, and tried to promote the connection between football plays and military strategies. Bo Schembechler coached the University of Michigan for twenty years. He came to Ann Arbor to find a struggling football program and a campus heavily invested in the anti-war movement. These two coaches elevated the rivalry between the two schools and Rosenberg details each of their meetings in the last game of the season.

War as They Knew It is a great book for any football fan, but especially Buckeye and Wolverine fans. As a life-long Buckeye fan, I knew the names of Woody Hayes and Bo Schembechler, but Rosenberg’s accounts helped me understand the men behind the legends. One aspect of the book, that I found particularly interesting, was the inclusion of Ralph Waldo Emerson quotes. Woody Hayes admired Emerson and Rosenberg found Emerson quotes that related to decisions or beliefs of Woody Hayes.

The Place

The Ohio State University is not your typical tourist destination because it is a school; however it is a place with history and tradition. Although most tours will be geared towards prospective students, The Ohio State University does provide a self-guided walking tour. The campus is a great place to walk around, even if it is not a football Saturday.

I have had the opportunity to attend two football games in “the Horseshoe” stadium. The stadium is referred to as “the Horseshoe” because the original structure had an opening on one end. The open end was filled in to accommodate more seating, but the name remains.

Attending a Buckeyes football games is truly an incredibly experience. The Ohio State University Marching Band performs in St. John’s Arena, the old basketball arena, prior to the game. The main streets throughout campus are closed to car traffic and you mingle with students and Buckeyes fans. Outside the stadium a visitor can smell the various tailgate foods and visit stores full of Buckeye apparel, gadgets, and souvenirs. Inside the stadium the game is interspersed with roars from the crowd and the excitement of each first down. Of course, every college football team has a similar atmosphere at their home games. The atmosphere is most significant for the fans of each team. 

Escape to Space

“…the Kennedy Space Center was the place where the public came to experience history being made. Kennedy Space Center, the most industrial part of the space program, represented the romance of space to citizens” (179).

The Book

A History of the Kennedy Space Center, by Kenneth Lipartito and Orville R. Butler, is not just a book about the development of NASA’s launch site in Florida. It is also a history of the entire space program, particularly manned flight. The authors provide a behind the scenes look at the work in the space program, the workers, the interest in space, and the future of the Kennedy Space Center. The book is packed with information that goes into scientific and personnel detail.

Lipartito and Butler say, “The Apollo program was more audacious than the Panama Canal, more difficult than the Hoover Dam, and more expensive than the Manhattan Project” (113). As a student of American history, I had already known that the Apollo program was a ground-breaking and difficult program. However, after reading this book, I have a newfound respect for the process of putting a man on the moon. The book spends a great deal of time on the Apollo missions, but the authors’ also discuss the early rocket programs and the later shuttle programs.

In the 1950s, Cape Canaveral was used to launch and test rockets and missiles. In 1961, NASA chose the Cape as the permanent launch site and in 1965 a visitor center was authorized. The visitor center began as a few trailers housing scientific exhibits. The opening of Walt Disney World revealed a need to update the exhibits to entice visitors to Walt Disney World. In fact, many travel agencies recommended visiting both.

The Place

The Kennedy Space Center does a fantastic job of engaging all ages in learning about NASA and each launch program. A visitor is able to learn about the early flights (Mercury and Gemini) and get the latest news on planned launches. In addition to the Visitor Complex, you are able to drive out to view the launch areas, control center, and Vehicle Assembly Building (where the rockets are assembled prior to launch).

The two highlights from when I visited where the Rocket Garden and the Apollo/Saturn 5 Center. The Rocket Garden is home to rockets from the early programs and capsules you are able to climb aboard. The Apollo/Saturn 5 Center is a large rectangular building that is home to artifacts that were used in the Apollo missions. The Saturn 5 rocket hangs from the ceiling and you can’t help but walk the length of it in awe.

From Rail Yard to Artistic Park

“Critically acclaimed as a unique fusion of art, architecture, and landscaping; embraced by diverse Chicagoans as a park for all people; and promoted to tourists as the crowning glory of a beautiful world-class city, Millennium Park has, in many ways, won Chicago the honor as the city of the century” (x).

The Book

Millennium Park: Creating a Chicago Landmark by Timothy J. Gilfoyle is a great coffee table book for anyone interested in Chicago. The book is full of pictures, maps, drawings, and short chapters that chronicle the history of Millennium Park. Gilfoyle divides the book into three sections: history, politics, and culture.

Millennium Park is a place that is steeped in history and is the final piece of Grant Park to be completed. In 1836 the land along Lake Michigan was preserved from any major development and became home to railroad tracks. After the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, Chicago became interested in developing a permanent park along the lakefront. Plans were commissioned for Grant Park in 1903 and sporadic construction began. Gilfoyle guides the reader through the history and straight into the political aspects of Millennium Park. The goal was to create something significant to attract residents and tourists and celebrate the new Millennium (the park didn’t actually open until 2004). There were accusations of corruption due to influence from major donors and construction issues. The many changes to the park’s design caused construction to be redone numerous times.

Gilfoyle ends the book with culture and helps the reader appreciate all that went into Millennium Park. One chapter consists solely of pictures depicting the construction of the major elements of the park: Pritzker Pavilion, Cloud Gate, BP Bridge, Crown Fountain, and Lurie Garden. The following chapters focus on each of the major elements and their designers. The book ends with a nod to Daniel Burnham and the realization that Millennium Park simply builds upon this man’s dream for Chicago that began in the late nineteenth century.

The Place

Millennium Park is a park designed for all seasons and all ages. There are several parts of the park that are worth checking out.

Cloud Gate: Chicagoans refer to this as “the Bean.” It is a huge bean shaped sculpture that reflects its surroundings. You are able to walk up to it, around it, and under it.

Crown Fountain: During the warm months, the pictures of Chicagoans mimic gargoyles while water spits from their mouths. The two towers face each other and the water pools in between.

Lurie Garden: This garden is stocked with large varieties of plants. Within the garden is a section where visitors can sit and soak their feet in water.

In addition to these, is the ice skating rink in the winter, the BP Bridge that snakes out of the Lurie Garden, and the Pritzker Pavilion that hosts concerts. Although Millennium Park is always crowded, it is a must see for visitors to Chicago. I have more pictures of the Bean than I can count, but it is always fun to visit. 

The Flag was Still There

“We sir, are ready at Fort McHenry to defend Baltimore against invading by the enemy. This is to say, we are ready except that we have no suitable ensign to display over the Star Fort, and it is my desire to have a flag so large that the British will have no difficulty seeing it from a distance” Major George Armistead (17-18).

The Book

The Flag, the Poet, and the Song: The Story of the Star-Spangled Banner, by Irvin Molotsky, is an easy to read book that dives into the stories surrounding our national anthem. Molotsky provides a brief background into the war including the reasons American declared war on Great Britain and the major events. Throughout this tumultuous time Mary Young Pickersgill was asked, by Major George Armistead, to sew a massive American flag. With the help of many, the flag was completed in six weeks. It weighed eighty pounds, was thirty feet tall, and forty-two feet long.

Francis Scott Key was a lawyer who was asked to help an American citizen, imprisoned by the British. The American was being held on a ship in the Chesapeake Bay just outside of Baltimore. While on the ship, Key witnessed the British attack Fort McHenry through a naval bombardment that lasted twenty-four hours. At the end of the bombardment, Fort McHenry still stood and Pickersgill’s flag was proudly raised. Key saw that flag and wrote a poem: The Star-Spangled Banner.

Molotsky’s book is packed with details surrounding the British attempt to invade Baltimore, details of the main characters, the preservation of Pickersgill’s flag, and how Key’s poem became the national anthem. I enjoyed reading this book and learning many new things. The only drawback is that Molotsky includes many editorial comments that are not necessary. The book shines when he lets history speak for itself.

The Place

Fort McHenry is a part of the National Park Service and is located southeast of Baltimore, Maryland. Visitors can tour the fort and learn more about the War of 1812 at the Visitors Center. When I visited Fort McHenry as a kid, we were able to see an interactive model that explained the types of defenses that were used. These included sunken ships that prevented the British Navy from coming too close.

The fort is surrounded by large cannons that can seem intimidating up close, but it is incredible to think of their power. A tour of the fort reveals what it was like to live there, especially during the bombardment by the British. The flag pole that held the “Star-Spangled Banner” is still at the fort and visitors can imagine the eighty pound flag flapping in the wind. 

High Above Manhattan

“It was, […] a building that would represent the United States, ‘a land which reached for the sky with its feet on the ground’” (5).

The Book

Mark Kingwell calls his book, Nearest Thing to Heaven: The Empire State Building, “a guided tour of the Empire State Building” (22). Kingwell provides the reader a history of the men involved, time period it was built, publicity, and the design. The driving force behind the creation was Alfred Smith, former governor of New York, and John Jakob Raskob, former employee of General Motors. Through their leadership, the Empire State Building took eighteen months to complete (four and a half stories a week), came in under budget, and ahead of schedule. All of this occurred during the Great Depression.

Kingwell looks at the Empire State Building as an icon, symbol, and phenomenon. He spends time on the skyscraper concept, architecture, and construction feats. The reader will read about the Empire State Building’s influence in culture, nostalgia, and film. We have a fascination with reaching the sky and the Empire State Building is a perfect example of that desire and a status symbol.  

Each chapter is interesting, however the book delves into political, social, and historical commentary. It would be nice to read more about the actual construction of the building and the people who worked on it. The guided tour is more a look at the Empire State Building’s place in culture and architecture history.

The Place

There are so many places to visit in New York City and you can easily spend a couple of days there. The Empire State Building can take up to half a day, depending on the time of year and day you plan to visit. Tickets are available online and at the Empire State Building. The inside is decorated in Art Deco, giving visitors a glimpse into the past. 

Once at the Observation Deck you can spend as much time as you want looking out at Manhattan. The views include: Lower Manhattan, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and other various New York City landmarks. It will be crowded at the top, but space will open up along the edges. Cloudless days are the best to visit the Empire State Building, because you will be able to see for miles. I recommend planning to spend at least an hour at the top. The views are truly stunning.