Carson City, Nevada
Historical claim to fame: Abraham Lincoln, recognizing the importance of Nevada’s silver and gold to the Union’s Civil War effort, signed Nevada into statehood on October 31, 1864.
Must-see site: The history of the region is showcased throughout the Nevada State Museum, highlighting the original Carson City Mint building and Coin Press No. 1.
History-rich hidden gem: The Stewart Indian School Cultural Center & Museum, which opened this year, tells the difficult story of what life was like for the American Indians who were separated from their families.
Go to visitcarsoncity.com or email Lydia Bruegge
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Claim to fame: Winnie the Pooh was named after his hometown of Winnipeg. The Pooh Gallery in Assiniboine Park houses artifacts and memorabilia about the world’s most famous bear.
Must-see site: The Canadian Museum for Human Rights takes students on a journey of the evolution, celebration, and future of human rights using cutting-edge technology and hands-on learning.
Hidden gem: The Royal Canadian Mint produces over one billion coins per year for up to 75 countries, utilizing state-of-the-art processes that students will see during a tour.
Go to tourismwinnipeg.com or email Sarah Robinson
North of Boston (Massachusetts)
Historical claim to fame: The region offers a story in every mile, including the truth behind the Salem Witch hysteria of 1692 and streets with four centuries of architecture.
Must-see site: Along with other witch-history venues, the NTA-member Salem Witch Museum lets visitors experience the drama of that dark time.
History-rich hidden gems: The Cape Ann Museum in Gloucester focuses on area artists and the history of Gloucester as a fishing and trading port. The Museum of Printing in Haverhill tells how printing has changed over 200 years.
Go to northofboston.org or email Ann Marie Casey
Manhattan, Kansas
Historical claim to fame: The city was founded by the people on the steamboat Hartford, which got stuck in the Kansas River. They decided to stay.
Must-see site: At the Flint Hills Discovery Center, students learn all about the Tallgrass Prairie, the most altered ecosystem in North America—with only 4% of the original prairie remaining.
History-rich hidden gems: Along with the Hartford House, a prefabricated home loaded in 1855 on the stranded steamboat, students can visit the Wolf House Museum, a limestone house interpreted as an 1880s home.
Go to visitmanhattanks.org or email Marcia Rozell, CTP
Columbus, Ohio
Historical claim to fame: Columbus is the capital of Ohio and best known as the home of The Ohio State University. Students can go on guided tours of bastions of both institutions: the Ohio Statehouse and Ohio Stadium.
Must-see site: The recently opened National Veterans Memorial and Museum is the only place in the country to learn the stories of U.S. veterans across all branches of service and through all eras of conflict. It is open Wednesday to Sunday.
History-rich hidden gem: The 150-year-old Kelton House Museum and Garden includes an Underground Railroad Learning Station.
Go to experiencecolumbus.com/tours or email Roger Dudley
Charlotte, North Carolina
Historical claim to fame: Named for King George III’s wife, Queen Sophia Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Charlotte was dubbed a “hornet’s nest of rebellion” by British General Cornwallis in 1780.
Must-see sites: The U.S. National Whitewater Center, the NASCAR Hall of Fame (with programs that show how racing teams use science, technology, engineering and math), Discovery Place (with four hands-on museums), and Carowinds Amusement Park
History-rich hidden gem: A talk with Dr. Tom Hanchett, staff historian at Levine Museum of the New South, who says the city’s history “is begging to be told.”
Go to charlottetraveltrade.com or email Chacara Harvin
Top photo: The Salem Witch Museum
Photo by salemwitchmuseum.com
Support for Courier articles provided by:
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
History Colorado
Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation
Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum
Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau
U.S. Space & Rocket Center