Welcome back! As you may or may not know, I love to travel around the country. When it comes right down to it, Arkansas is the best place I love to travel. As a native Arkansan, I grew up hearing of stories of the people and communities in Clark County. Research into Arkansas history for me has expanded. In the last six months, I have worked to dedicate travel time to all four corners of the state. History is all around us. I always tell my students (and others) to always look around for history. For that reason, I want to go back to Clark County, Arkansas. Morgan Cryer Sr., maybe not a well known resident of Arkadelphia but was among the earliest. Morgan and his wife, Barbara, moved to the area before his death in 1833. A native of South Carolina, he served in the American Revolution in the 6th South Carolina Regiment. Cryer owned approximately 20,000 acres of land in Clark County and additional acreage in LaFayette County. Cryer was buried in sight of the Caddo River north of Arkadelphia. Today Morgan Cryer’s home-place and gravesite are not standing. However, if you travel Highway 7 from Arkadelphia into Caddo Valley when you reach the Caddo River bridge, you are on where the Cryer home-place was located. In a perfect example of how history is all around us, a road I traveled many times growing up in Clark County has historical ties to a patriot from the American Revolution. Until next time, keep exploring! Jason
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Welcome back! In the first post, I highlighted Shiloh Battlefield, today I am writing about another favorite place to visit. George Washington’s Mount Vernon. In 2015, I was blessed with the opportunity to join a select group of teachers from around the country for the Mount Vernon Teacher Institute. This visit allowed me to study Washington’s life, leadership, and legacy. It was a changing experience that I continue to share with my students. George Washington was a general, our first president, but always a Virginian farmer who loved Mount Vernon. His leadership, willingness to release power, and ability to rally troops are a few of the reasons why he is one of my favorite founders. One of my favorite quotes from George Washington comes from a letter to Alexander Hamilton in 1788, "Still I hope I shall always possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain (what I consider the most enviable of all titles) the character of an honest man." Mount Vernon dates back to 1735, when the core original structure was built. The structure was expanded over the years during Washington’s life to what we know today with 21 rooms and 11,028 square feet. While at Mount Vernon, three areas stood out and I fully recommend you to see them on your visit. First, the Mansion. This is the key focal point of Mount Vernon. On your tour make sure to check out the key to the Bastille. The view from the piazza seeing the Potomac River is worth the trip! You are seeing the view George and Martha Washington saw. If you can’t visit in person, take the virtual tour online. Second, make sure you visit the final resting place of George and Martha Washington. While here, you are standing where many have stood to pay respects. You can find out more about the tombs online here. Last but not least, the slave cemetery and memorial is a remarkable area to visit. In 2014, Mount Vernon begin studying the cemetery. At the end of 2015, 46 burial plots have been mapped out. You can learn more about slavery at Mount Vernon online. I truly commend Mount Vernon for their work to remember the enslaved population at Mount Vernon. It was a remarkable honor to visit Mount Vernon and I look forward to returning. In future posts, I hope to share more about my trip. However, you can learn more about the history by going online. A special thank you to the Mount Vernon Education Team for a lifetime of memories and knowledge. Until next time, Jason In recent months, I have been encouraged to start a blog highlighting my travel adventures. Today, I am not sure where this blog will lead; however, I have answered your call. It is my hope you find it educational and inspirational. Shiloh National Military Park is where I would like to start for my first entry. The Battle of Shiloh start on the morning of April 6, 1862. At the end of two days of fighting, more than 23,000 perished. Why start with Shiloh? Shiloh is the one place I repeatedly visit two to three times annually and learn something new. Whether you are walking on the battlefield, trails, standing in the Hornet’s Nest, or where General Johnston was shot by Union fire, you will find an emotional experience. At Shiloh there always seems to be a feeling of peace on the fields. In each visit to Shiloh, I have always felt a calm and peace. Today it is hard to picture the fighting that took place there more than 150 years ago. The fall is my personal favorite time to visit. The picture below illustrates the beauty of driving or walking the historic roads/grounds at Shiloh. |
"Still I hope I shall always possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain (what I consider the most enviable of all titles) the character of an honest man." - George Washington, 1788 Archives
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