This is huge for New York State’s tourism and recreational
opportunities: Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s is proposing a $300 million plan
to reimagine the Erie Canal by creating recreational activities on the Canal to
boost tourism and recreational
fishing, mitigate flooding, enhance irrigation and restore wetlands.
“When the Erie Canal was created in the
19th century it set the state and the nation on a path to
prosperity, and this year we will repurpose the canal to fit our state’s
21st century needs,” Governor
Cuomo said. “This bold and visionary plan to transform
this historic waterway will build on the success of the Empire State Trail (750
miles of connected bikeways), grow tourism across Upstate New York,
improve resilience of today’s Canal communities and ensure the
economic sustainability of the waterway into the future.”
“The canals have played a crucial role in New York’s history and
growth, and with the implementation of these new exciting projects, the canals
will remain a vital force and make a positive contribution to the economic
well-being and quality of life in the 225 communities they travel through,”
said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul.
A first phase of funding starting this year – through the New
York Power Authority Board which oversees the Canal Corporation as a subsidiary
– includes a $100 million economic development fund to invest
in communities along the Canal and a separate $65 million investment
in solutions that will help prevent ice jams and related flooding in the
Schenectady area.
The remaining $135 million of the plan’s funding will subsequently be allocated
to research recommended by the Reimagine Task Force, as well
as to solutionsrelated to flood mitigation,
invasive species prevention and ecosystem restoration.
New Economic Development Fund for Canal Communities
In the first phase of the program, a $100 million economic
development fund will support projects that adaptively reuse canal
infrastructure to enhance water recreation, tie the Canal’s new
recreational improvements to the Governor’s Empire State Trail,
celebrate historic canal structures, and develop unique canalside
attractions and activities. Roughly $25 million of that will be allocated
immediately to a set of initial projects:
Connecting Communities: The “Brockport Loop” project in Monroe County will
connect SUNY College at Brockport to the Empire State
Trailand the village of Brockport through
the transformation of a canal guard-gate into a
pedestrian bridge and overlook, with a supporting grant of $2 million
from the Ralph Wilson Foundation.
Celebrating “Iconic Infrastructure”:Interactive, hydro-powered illumination of Canal “movable
dams” – initially in
Amsterdam and Canajoharie in the
Mohawk River valley – will celebrate the Canal’s
heritage and its history as an engineering marvel.
Expanding Water Recreation: A new whitewater destination, at the north end of Cayuga Lake near Seneca
Falls, will rely on existing water control infrastructure to construct an
active water sports course adjacent to the Montezuma National
Wildlife Refuge, to increase eco-tourism and sport visitors to the region.
Adapting Industrial Property for New
Uses: Winner of the Reimagine the Canals competition,
a canalside pocket neighborhood, will be developed by Madison
County in Central New York at a former industrial
property in Canastota along the Old Erie Canal –
demonstrating a new model for 21st century canalside living.
Developing Destination Accommodations: The
historic Guy Park Manor, on the Mohawk River in
Amsterdam, will be reborn as a hospitality destination and a
pedestrian bridge constructed
across the already-existing Canal lock will provide
access to additional overnight accommodation along the Empire
State Trail on the opposite side of the river.
World-Class Fishing and Restored Wetlands
To create world-class fishing in Western New York, the new
plan recommends managing water releases from the Canal to enhance fish
habitat, improve angling opportunities, and extend the fall fishing season in
Lake Ontario tributaries. It also includes funding to expand public
fishing access along key streams in Orleans, Monroe and Niagara
Counties. In addition, it identifies a program to divert Canal water to restore and
re-nourish wetlands in Central New York that were compromised a
century ago by the Canal’s construction. This will allow areas in
close proximity to the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, a migratory
stopover for more than 1 million birds each
year, to be significantly enhanced to further
attract naturalists, locals, and visitors from throughout the region and
beyond.
Ideas in this plan originated from the Reimagine the
Canals Task Force recommendations, launched by
Governor Cuomo in May of 2019 to pursue a
comprehensive investigation of how the 195-year-old Erie Canal
could be reimagined for the 21st century. The Reimagine
the Canals Task Force Report was just released.
The Task Force engaged with municipal leaders, stakeholders, local
business owners, scientists and other experts, along with community
members, to identify opportunities and solutions that support a
new vision for future investments in the waterway. Many of the ideas that the
Task Force explored came from the completed Reimagine the Canals competition, held
last year by the New York Power Authority and New York State Canal
Corporation. SUNY’s Rockefeller Institute of Government, on behalf of
the Task Force, conducted a series of outreach sessions during the summer
in five canal communities – Lockport, Brockport, Schenectady, Utica and
Syracuse – to solicit new ideas from the public at large. Ideas were also
solicited on a Reimagine the Canals website, offering more
distant canal users an opportunity to provide their views to the Task Force.
The “Reimagine” initiative builds on successful
efforts by Governor Cuomo to invest in the canal corridor, including
the state’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative and successful Taste NY program, which have stoked new industries,
businesses and housing in canal communities. Harnessing the Canal’s full
potential to attract more tourism and recreation is a key focus of the
Initiative. Governor Cuomo and state agency and authority staff
will collaborate with Empire Line communities and continue to consult with
Task Force members and other stakeholders to ensure the success
of projects as they move forward.
There are 1.6 million trips taken annually on the Erie Canal Trailway,
the former towpath used by mules and horses to pull barges in the canals’ early
days. The Trailway is part of Governor Cuomo’s Empire State Trail,
which at 750 miles will be the largest state multi-use trail network when
completed in late 2020. Governor DeWitt Clinton began work on the original
Erie Canal on July 4, 1817.
In addition to investing $300 million in the Canal System, there are
also plans to create two new state parks in the
Hudson Valley, add 4,000 acres of land to parks and introduce a $3 billion
“Restore Mother Nature” bond act.
Meanwhile, registration has opened for the
22nd Annual Cycle the Erie, eight-day 400-mile, fully supported biking/camping
trip, from Buffalo to Albany, operated by Parks & Trails NY, taking place
July 12-19, 2020. For information on
Cycle the Erie Canal, call Parks & Trails New York, 518-434-1583, email [email protected] or visit www.ptny.org/cycle-the-erie-canal.
Choctaw Nation Constitution of 1838 / The Constitution and Laws of the Choctaw Nation Park Hill, Cherokee Nation: John Candy, 1840. Photo credit: Ardon Bar-Hama
Herman Hollerith’s Punched Card Tabulator. Scientific American, vol. 63., no. 9. New York, 1890. Courtesy of David M. Rubenstein
Free Admission to Civics Exhibitions for College Students Through 2020
NEW YORK, NY – As election year 2020 begins, the New-York Historical Society launches a series of special exhibitions that address the cornerstones of citizenship and American democracy. Starting on Presidents’ Day Weekend, visitors to Meet the Presidents will discover how the role of the president has evolved since George Washington with a re-creation of the White House Oval Office and a new gallery devoted to the powers of the presidency. Opening on the eve of Women’s History Month, Women March marks the centennial of the 19th Amendment with an immersive celebration of 200 years of women’s political and social activism. Colonists, Citizens, Constitutions: Creating the American Republic explores the important roles state constitutions have played in the history of our country, while The People Count: The Census in the Making of America documents the critical role played by the U.S. Census in the 19th century—just in time for the 2020 Census.
To encourage first-time voters to learn about our nation’s history and civic as they get ready to vote in the presidential election, New-York Historical Society is offering free admission to these exhibitions to college students with ID through 2020, an initiative supported, in part, by The History Channel. This special program allows college students to access New-York Historical’s roster of upcoming exhibitions that explore the pillars of American democracy as they prepare to vote, most of them for the first time.
“The year 2020 is a momentous time for both the past and future of American politics, as the centennial of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote, coincides with both a presidential election and a census year,” said Dr. Louise Mirrer, president and CEO of New-York Historical. “This suite of complementary exhibitions showcases the ideas and infrastructure behind our American institutions that establish and protect our fundamental rights to make our voices heard and opinions count. We hope that all visitors will come away with a wider understanding of the important role each citizen plays in our democracy.”
Meet the Presidents (February 14 – ongoing) Opening on Presidents’ Day Weekend, a special permanent gallery on New-York Historical’s fourth floor features a detailed re-creation of the White House Oval Office, where presidents have exercised their powers, duties, and responsibilities since 1909. Visitors to New-York Historical can explore the Oval Office, hear audio recordings of presidential musings, and even sit behind a version of the President’s Resolute Desk for a photo op.
Presidents can furnish the Oval Office to suit their own tastes, and this re-creation evokes the decor of President Ronald Reagan’s second term, widely considered a classic interpretation of Oval Office design. The Resolute Desk, which has been used by almost every president, was presented by Queen Victoria of England in friendship to President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1880. The original was made from timbers from the British Arctic explorer ship H.M.S. Resolute, which was trapped in the ice, recovered by an American whaling ship, and returned to England. Other elements reminiscent of the Reagan-era on view include a famous jar of jelly beans, an inspirational plaque reading “It can be done,” and artist Frederic Remington’s Bronco Buster bronze sculpture of a rugged cowboy fighting to stay on a rearing horse.
The Suzanne Peck and Brian Friedman Meet the Presidents Gallerytraces, through artwork and objects, the evolution of the presidency and executive branch and how presidents have interpreted and fulfilled their leadership role. Highlights include the actual Bible used during George Washington’s inauguration in 1789 and a student scrapbook from 1962 chronicling JFK’s leadership during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Meet the Presidents is curated by Marci Reaven, vice president of history exhibits, and Lily Wong, assistant curator.
Women March (February 28 – August 30) For as long as there has been a United States, women have organized to shape the nation’s politics and secure their rights as citizens. Their collective action has taken many forms, from abolitionist petitions to industry-wide garment strikes to massive marches for an Equal Rights Amendment. Women March celebrates the centennial of the 19th Amendment—which granted women the right to vote in 1920—as it explores the efforts of a diverse array of women to expand American democracy in the centuries before and after the suffrage victory. On view in the Joyce B. Cowin Women’s History Gallery, Women March is curated by Valerie Paley, the director of the Center for Women’s History and New-York Historical senior vice president and chief historian, with the Center for Women’s History curatorial team. The immersive exhibition features imagery and video footage of women’s collective action over time, drawing visitors into a visceral engagement with the struggles that have endured into the 21st century.
The exhibition begins with the many ways women asserted political influence long before they even demanded the vote. Objects and images demonstrate how they risked criticism for speaking against slavery, signed petitions against Indian Removal, raised millions to support the Civil War, and protested reduced wages and longer days. A riveting recreation of an 1866 speech by African American suffragist and activist Frances Harper demonstrates the powerful debates at women’s rights conventions. Absence of the vote hardly prevented women from running for political office: one engaging item on display is a campaign ribbon for Belva Lockwood, the first woman to argue before the Supreme Court, who won around 4,000 votes in her own presidential bid.
Multiple perspectives on the vote, including African American and working-class activism, are explored, upending popular assumptions that suffragists were a homogenous group. The 19th Amendment is hailed as a crucial step forward, but recognized as an incomplete victory. One photograph shows an African American women’s voter group in Georgia circa 1920, formed despite wide disenfranchisement, and another shows women of the League of Women Voters who sought to make suffragists’ goals real with legislation that addressed issues such as public health and child welfare. A digital interactive monitor invites visitors to explore the nuances of voting laws concerning women across the entire United States.
Offering an examination of women’s activism in the century after the Amendment, the exhibition concludes by showing how women engaged with issues such as safe workplaces, civil rights, reproductive justice, and freedom from violence. Photographs and video footage of women building warships, boycotting segregation, urging voters to register, and marching for the Equal Rights Amendment convey the urgency of their desire for full citizenship. The dynamism of women’s collective action continues to the present day with handmade signs from the 2017 Women’s Marches and footage of a variety of marches and speeches on topics ranging from reproductive justice to indigenous peoples’ rights to climate change. Visitors can also learn about many individuals who have been instrumental in women’s activism over the past 200 years in an interactive display compiled by New-York Historical’s Teen Leaders program. Meanwhile, young visitors can explore the exhibition with a special family guide.
Colonists, Citizens, Constitutions (February 28 – May 31) America has been singular among nations in fostering a vibrant culture of engagement with constitutional matters and the fundamental principles of government. Featuring more than 40 books and documents from the Dorothy Tapper Goldman Foundation’s collection, Colonists, Citizens, Constitutions: Creating the American Republic illuminates America’s continuing debates on the role and limits of government and the fundamental rights of all citizens. From the early days of the American Revolution, to the American Civil War, to the eve of World War I, the rare and early printings of state and federal constitutions trace defining moments in American history and are testaments to our nation’s continuing experiment in self-government and the relentless quest for improvement.
Among the highlights on view is a rare example of the original Dunlap and Claypoole 1787 printing of the U.S. Constitution—one of few surviving copies. Manuscripts, such as the first known description of the Great Seal of America from 1782 and a certified 1802 handwritten copy of the 12th Amendment that altered the system for electing the president and vice president are also on view. The Choctaw Nation Constitution of 1838, written by members of the tribe forcibly relocated from Mississippi to Oklahoma, combines American constitutional forms with traditional practices in an effort to preserve self-government and prevent further violations of their fundamental rights. The Constitution of the Republic of Texas (1836) sanctioned slavery and led the United States to initially decline Texas’ requests for annexation; the inclusion of slavery in the Missouri Constitution of 1820 also led to a bitter fight in Congress to deny Missouri admission to the union. The progressive Louisiana Constitution of 1868 of the Civil War Reconstruction period prohibited segregation of schools by race. Kansas was the first of more than 30 states to prohibit alcohol with the Kansas State Prohibition Amendment of 1880, eventually leading to national Prohibition through the 18th Amendment in 1919. The Wyoming Constitution of 1889 declared that “male and female citizens” could exercise all rights equally, including the right “to vote and hold office”—three decades before federal ratification of the 19th Amendment. The bilingual New Mexico Constitution of 1910—Constitution of the State of New Mexico/Constitucion del Estado de Nuevo Mexico—guaranteed that all laws, including the constitution, would be published in both English and Spanish for at least 20 years.
Colonists, Citizens, Constitutions: Creating the American Republic also includes a selection of songs from WNYC’s Radio Lab “27: The Most Perfect Album,” in which contemporary musicians were asked to interpret the 27 amendments of the U.S. Constitution’s Bill of Rights in their own distinctive style with original new music. Musicians include Flor de Toloache, Sons of an Illustrious Father, Nana Grizol, Dolly Parton, and Caroline Shaw. The full album was conceived by the podcast More Perfect, a production of WNYC Studios, and is available for free online.
This exhibition is the first public viewing of these selected historical documents together, and after its run at New-York Historical, it travels to the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia (June 12 – July 5, 2020). Curated by James F. Hrdlicka of Arizona State University with Michael Ryan, New-York Historical vice president and Sue Ann Weinberg director of the Patricia D. Klingenstein Library, the exhibition is accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue written by Dr. Hrdlicka, with a foreword by Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and with contributions by Dorothy Tapper Goldman and Robert McD. Parker.
The People Count: The Census in the Making of America (March 13 – June 7) What does it mean to be counted? As the 2020 Census kicks off, The People Count: The Census in the Making of America from the David M. Rubenstein Americana Collection provides an in-depth look at the origins and story of the U. S. Census from 1790 through the 1800s, using 30 books and manuscripts that reveal the critical role the Census played in the development of the country. America became the first country to count its inhabitants for reasons of governing, as it dictates the number of House of Representatives seats that each state gets. In the 19th century as the country grew, so did the stakes of the census process, which further drove our nation west—and to war with itself.
The 2020 census will be the 24th decennial count undertaken without fail for 230 years. Censuses before the Constitution were the charge of the Board of Trade, which sent questionnaires to every colonial governor. “The Present State of the British Colonies in America” on display transcribes the results from 1773 to 1775, just as the American Revolution began, describing the people and land that England controlled at the time. On March 1, 1790, the First Census Act passed. The first census took 18 months to finish and counted almost 4 million people. Thomas Jefferson, then secretary of state, improvised a 56-page report, signing and circulating it privately, a copy of which is on view.
The People Count pays particular attention to the problem of the Three-Fifths Compromise, the census-related clause in the Constitution that regarded slaves equal to 60% of freepersons. Unable to vote, enslaved people unwittingly added to the political representation of slaveholders. Displayed in the exhibition is the 1860 census, which counted 3.95 million slaves, an eighth of all Americans, and uncovered that in 10 years the North had gained 41% more people while the South grew by only 27%. On view are printings of the Emancipation Proclamation and the Ninth Census—Volume I, The Statistics of the Population of the United States, the 1870 census, when there was no longer slaves to be counted for the first time in nine censuses.
In the wake of the Civil War as the population grew and expanded west, the 1880 census reports took eight years to finish. An 1890 copy of Scientific American illustrates how the counting was accomplished in less time with the Punched Card Tabulator system invented by Herman Hollerith, a former census employee from Buffalo, New York. Divided into four devices for perforating, reading, and sorting, workers completed 62.9 million returns of 30 questions in less than five years.
The People Count: The Census in the Making of America is curated by Mazy Boroujerdi, advisor to the David M. Rubenstein Americana Collection, and by Michael Ryan, New-York Historical vice president and Sue Ann Weinberg director of the Patricia D. Klingenstein Library.
Programming
Historians and scholars engage in a slate of related conversations, lectures,
and intimate salons throughout the winter and spring. Black women and the 19th
Amendment (March 12), older women in American history (March 19), and the life
of Harriet Tubman (April 14) are among the topics explored during Women
March. Programs that focus on the spirit of the law and the separation of
powers (April 30), foreign influence in the 2020 election (May 2), and the
presidents vs. the press (May 21) illuminate the presidency and the importance
of the Oval Office. Scholars discuss power, politics, and madness (February 22)
and the enduring constitutional vision of the Warren Court (April 25), among
other programs focused on civics.
Family programs that take place on select weekends throughout the exhibitions’
run bring history to life for young visitors. One of the highlights is
International Women’s Day on Sunday, March 8, when families can make crafts and
meet historical interpreters portraying famous and little known leaders of the
women’s rights movement.
The New-York Historical Society, one
of America’s preeminent cultural institutions, is dedicated to fostering
research and presenting history and art exhibitions and public programs that
reveal the dynamism of history and its influence on the world of today. Founded
in 1804, New-York Historical has a mission to explore the richly layered
history of New York City and State and the country, and to serve as a national
forum for the discussion of issues surrounding the making and meaning of
history. New-York Historical is also home to the Patricia D. Klingenstein
Library, one of the oldest, most distinguished libraries in the nation—and one
of only 20 in the United States qualified to be a member of the Independent
Research Libraries Association—which contains more than three million books,
pamphlets, maps, newspapers, manuscripts, prints, photographs, and
architectural drawings.
The New-York Historical Society is located at 170 Central Park West at Richard
Gilder Way (77th Street), New York, NY 10024. Information: (212) 873-3400.
Website: nyhistory.org. Follow the museum on social media at @nyhistory on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Tumblr.
Save Venice, an American nonprofit organization, has formed an Immediate Response Fund for artistic and cultural heritage recovery following the extreme floods (acque alte) that devastated Venice between November 12-17, 2019. The Embassy of Italy in Washington DC and Save Venice are partnering to raise funds for the Immediate Response Fund, which will support urgent relief efforts and preventative conservation. Donations can be made at savevenice.org/donate by selecting the Immediate Response Fund, and will be matched by Save Venice, dollar for dollar, up to $100,000 through February 2020.
“Save Venice was born in the aftermath
of the terrible floods of November 1966, and the November 2019 floods
underscore the urgency of our mission,” said Save Venice Chairman Frederick Ilchman. “The Immediate Response
Fund will allow Save Venice to move quickly to mitigate the effects of
corrosive saltwater and deposits in flooded churches, museums, and comparable
public buildings, to support emergency conservation treatment for paintings,
stonework, floors, wooden furnishings, and books and archival documents, as
well as to undertake preventative conservation to minimize damage from future
floods. We will continue to do what our track record proves we do best: protect
Venice’s irreplaceable artistic heritage.”
The Italian Ambassador, Armando Varricchio, noted, “Venice has deep
historical roots and is a modern and vibrant city, innovative and open to the
future with a strong entrepreneurial and industrial background. Venice and
Venetians are resilient. They will rise to this challenge,” adding that “the legacy
of the past, the energy and dynamism of nowadays Venice are the solid
foundations on which to build a bright future for the city.”
Dr. Ilchman said, “We are honored to
partner with the Embassy of Italy on this important initiative to make a difference
for Venice, and we express our gratitude to Ambassador Varricchio.”
Headquartered in New
York City, Save Venice maintains a full-time office in Venice with staff
members diligently overseeing each conservation site. They are collaborating
with conservators and local authorities to assist with damage assessment and
plans for the recovery process. As new environmental challenges arise, Save
Venice and its family of experts are prepared to devise and implement
additional preservation protocols. The Board of Directors of Save Venice is
convinced that the time to act is now.
Save
Venice is a leading American non-profit organization dedicated to
preserving the artistic heritage of Venice, Italy for the world. Founded in
response to the floods of 1966, the worst in recorded history, and incorporated
in 1971, Save Venice has since worked tirelessly to preserve, protect, and
promote the art and culture of Venice and has funded the conservation of more
than 550 projects comprising over 1,000 individual artworks. In 2015, Save
Venice established the Rosand Library & Study Center in Venice, creating a
nexus for the research of Venetian art, history, and conservation. Save Venice
also provides grants for fellowships, exhibitions, and publications to advance
Venetian scholarship and conservation.
Set on 450 acres of parkland, Dromoland Castle dates back to 16th century Ireland when it was home of the O’Brien family, whose lineage dates back 1,000 years to Brian Boru, one of the last High Kings of Ireland. Converted to a hotel in the 1960s and fresh off a $20 million renovation and restoration, Dromoland Castle exhibits the best of its regal Irish heritage.
As frosty days turn to
long nights, there’s no need to escape the cold. Put the winter doldrums aside
and embrace the best that the season has to offer, Downton Abbey-style, at
Ireland’s Dromoland Castle. Think: Cozy spaces. Evenings spent by the fire.
Brisk walks through the countryside. Days idle by, with opportunities to enjoy
falconry or horseback riding. Warm up with afternoon tea or a signature spa
treatment. Nights are for indulging in an artful take on traditional Irish
ingredients at The Earl of Thomond Restaurant before retiring to the cocktail
bar for a tarot-card inspired libation or a glass of Irish whiskey. Then, it’s
off to the stately guest rooms for a restful night before beginning another day
as a royal.
If Ireland’s temperate
climate isn’t enough to lure travelers from the States – though it’s chilly,
the daily low rarely dips below freezing – Dromoland Castle in County Clare has
a number of winter specials on offer. Stay two nights and receive a special
rate that includes a five-course Table d’Hote Dinner in the Earl of Thomond
Restaurant. The two-night package starts at $700 based on double occupancy. Or,
gather your gal pals for a special wine weekend from February 21–22. The
getaway includes a six-course meal that showcases the best of the Co. Clare
culinary scene, paired with six different wines. Rates start at $881 for the
two-night package.
Set on 450 acres of
parkland with 97 rooms and suites, Dromoland Castle dates back to the 16th
century when it was home of the O’Brien family, whose lineage dates back 1,000
years to Brian Boru, one of the last High Kings of Ireland. Converted to a
hotel in the 1960s and fresh off a $20 million renovation and restoration,
Dromoland Castle exhibits the best of its regal Irish heritage.
Central to Dromoland
Castle’s appeal is its location. Just 15 minutes from Shannon Airport,
Dromoland sits at the gateway to the Wild Atlantic Way – the 1,553-mile route
along Ireland’s west coast. Dotted with small fishing villages, the trail
passes vivid seascapes, with plenty of opportunities to stop to enjoy a local
catch. The Cliffs of Moher, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is just an hour’s
drive from the Castle. And the limestone, lunar-like landscape of the Burren
National Park is only 45 minutes away.
Though surrounded by
Ireland’s famously dramatic landscapes, Dromoland Castle is just an hour away
from Galway, which will be the European Capital of Culture in 2020. The arts
abound, as the city has been designated a UNESCO City of Film, and it has a vibrant
musical, theater and literature scene. Dublin, home to the newly opened Museum
of Literature Ireland, is 2.5 hours east.
Families: Multigenerational families have the perfect venue at Dromoland,
which features something for each age group – tennis lessons, bespoke golf
clinics, horse and buggy rides, archery, garden tours, falconry, bubble baths
on demand, and even a genealogy expert to help trace any Irish familial roots.
Golf: No one does greens better than Ireland. With its 18-hole parkland course,
Dromoland offers expert lessons at its School of Golf, as well as a newly
renovated driving range that feature “power tees,” eliminating the need for
bending down to replace a tee each time.
Dromoland is perfectly
suited to enjoy Ireland’s famed links courses – Lahinch, Ballybunion
and Tralee – as well as the new Adare Manor, which will host the Ryder Cup in
2026. Stay at Dromoland and transfer between the courses via helicopter – which
the Castle can arrange – or simply take advantage of Dromoland’s ability to
book a tee time.
Weddings: All of Dromoland Castle can be rented out for royally lavish
weddings. Among the Irish touches: The bride can make her entrance via horse
and carriage; bagpipers can create fanfare as the guests arrive; tents or even
glass pavilions can be erected on-site; step dancers can perform; and fireworks
over the golf course will end the evening with a pop!
Dunluce Castle, Antrim. Vagabond Adventure Tours creates opportunities for visitors to embrace Ireland by walking, biking, horseback riding and kayaking its lands and waters, imbibing history and culture along the way.
COUNTY WICKLOW, Ireland– With the European Union’s approval, Britain has received an extension to its exit (Brexit) until 31 January 2020. Rob Rankin, founder and owner Vagabond Small Group Tours of Ireland, is taking a wait-and-see-attitude concerning the UK Parliament’s vote to uphold or not the exit date that could change how the UK does business with Europe — and also on the Emerald Isle.
Maybe Brexit will be washed down the drain over a toast with its trading bloc partners since 1993. Maybe not. In the meantime Rankin’s team offers a list of ideas to visitors to Ireland who may want to know what the fuss is all about. In Dublin, the gateway city for Vagabond Small Group Tours of Ireland, historic attractions are two-a-penny. Guests are invited to discover for themselves the bullet holes on the General Post Office that betray its role at the heart of the 1916 Easter Rising. The National Museum is housed in a former barracks. Glasnevin Cemetery holds an array of independence heroes and an excellent museum.
Highly recommended in Belfast is an on-own Black Cab tour that offers a unique perspective on the capital of Northern Ireland. Guests listen to expert personal commentary on a guided tour through unionist and nationalist communities, learning about the late 20th century ‘The Troubles’ while viewing political murals and signing names to a peace wall.
Itineraries encompassing Derry include a guided walking tour around the historic walled city of Derry/Londonderry that showcases the Guild Hall and a siege cannon while shedding light on the nationalist neighborhood where the Northern Irish Civil Rights movement was born in the late 1960s, leading to a virtual 30-year war between Catholics and Protestants.
And other itineraries including Cork, also known as the Rebel County, share stories of the action here during the early 1920s War of Independence and ensuing Civil War. Michael Collins was ambushed and assassinated at Béal na Bláth. Picturesque Cobh was a center of resistance in 1916.
“It’s a no-brainer to say that this ours is a complicated history,” adds Rankin. Vagabond Tours of Ireland assists its guests in scratching the surface of the history of why there are two separate Irelands. This history goes back well into the 16th century when the island was like a piece of fabric being stretched between Gaelic-speaking Catholics and the English who spoke English and who were eventually predominantly Protestant.
“Today Brexit has become our own three-legged milking stool,” Rankin explains. The three legs are:
European Union (EU) – since 1993 a commerce-driven alliance of European nations, the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom.
United Kingdom (UK) – inclusive of Great Britain (Scotland,
Wales, England) and Northern Ireland (six counties that are culturally British
out of an overall 32 counties on the island). This bloc known as the UK has
voted to disengage from the EU because of a perception that the UK doesn’t
enjoy full sovereignty in the EU.
Republic of Ireland – represents 26 of 32 counties on the
Emerald Isle, is not part of the UK bloc and enjoys 80% to 90% support for
continuing its own EU membership. The Republic of Ireland fought and won
independence from the UK from 1916 to 1921. The six counties in the northern
part of Ireland demanded that their union with the UK and the British crown
remain intact, resulting in Northern Ireland. When the UK voted to remove
itself (Brexit) from the EU, the independent country Republic of Ireland
determined to remain within the EU.
Customs and tariff protocols between the Republic of Ireland
(EU) and Northern Ireland (UK) have been operational and peaceful for nearly
two decades. Residents and visitors to Ireland and the UK enjoy visa-free
travel to each other’s countries. All sides have agreed that this situation
will continue post-Brexit.
What is of concern, adds Rankin, is that without a so-called backstop built
into the negotiations, the now a ‘soft’ border between the Northern Ireland and
the Republic of Ireland could once again become a ‘hard’ border that in turn
could pick at century-old scars. The relationship between the Republic of
Ireland and Northern Ireland has steadily improved since the landmark peace
accord of 1998. What’s known as the Good Friday Agreement ended paramilitary
activity and customs infrastructure at north/south border crossing points. The
British army was removed from Northern Ireland.
No matter Brexit’s outcome – or not – Rankin and his team are high on 2020
bookings, already strong.
“We envisage no major disruption. The bright side is, we hope, more opportunity
to explain Irish history,” he says.
Vagabond Small Group Tours of Ireland offers two styles of culturally immersive
travel. Vagabond Adventure Tours (the
division hosting the Epic Irish Food Adventure Tour) are for active travelers
who want to mix up hiking, kayaking and biking and other outdoor adventures
with history, culture, dining and shopping. Driftwood Journeys of Discovery follow
similar itineraries but at an intimate and in-depth looking and lingering pace,
sans the physical exertion.
On all of its tours, Vagabond staff curate locally owned accommodations, pubs
and restaurants that help serve their goal of authenticity. In the end the
mission is to have guests “love Ireland as much as we do.” Transport is in a
custom Mercedes ‘Vagatron’ or special mini-buses which allow access beyond
where regular tour buses go.
For details on all of Vagabond Small Group Tours of Ireland itineraries,
availability and for 2019 reservations, visit https://vagabondtoursofireland.com/. Call toll
free (from the US) 1.833-230-0288; in Ireland 00353 (0) 1 5634358; or
email: [email protected].
Since 2002 Vagabond Adventure Tours has been creating opportunities for
visitors to embrace Ireland by walking, biking, horseback riding and kayaking
its lands and waters, imbibing history and culture along the way. In 2013 the
company was honored by National Geographic Traveler with a Top
50 Tour of a Lifetime distinction. In 2015 and 2017 Vagabond Small Group Tours
of Ireland was named the “Best Adventure Experience” at the Irish Tourism
Awards. In 2017, Vagabond became Ireland’s first tour operator to achieve
Ecotourism Gold Level Certification. In 2018, Vagabond Tours won The Green
Tourism & Entertainment category in Ireland’s most prestigious Green
(business) Awards. And in February 2019, the company won two top Irish Tourism
Industry Awards for the Best Ireland Ancient East Tourism Experience and Best
Environmental Tourism Innovation.
WASHINGTON, DC—Halloween 2019 – Just in time for Halloween 2019,
Historic Hotels of America has released its list of Most Haunted Historic
Hotels. A membership organization of more than 300 hotels with long and storied
histories, some hotels have reported ghosts and paranormal activity throughout
the halls and in guestrooms giving those who stay a fright – and they don’t
just come out at Halloween. From ghosts who have been around since the
Revolutionary War to jilted lovers, heartbroken, there are an abundance of
ghostly sightings in historic hotels.
Concord’s Colonial Inn (1716)
Concord, Massachusetts
The original part of the Inn was built in the early 1700s before the
Revolutionary War. With such a long and robust history, it’s no wonder there
are spirits that still wander the halls of this historic hotel. One of the most
famous, haunted and sought-after guestrooms is room 24. During the
Revolutionary War, the right side of the Inn was privately owned by Dr. Timothy
Minot. When patriot soldiers were injured at the Battles of Lexington and
Concord at the North Bridge, they were brought to his home to be cared for. Dr.
Minot used what is now the Liberty Room as a hospital and room 24 as an
operating room. Several soldiers who were operated on in room 24 died during
surgery. They were then carried directly downstairs into room 27, which was
used as a morgue. It’s no wonder then that guests have reported lights
flickering in room 27 or turning on and off completely. One guest woke up in
the middle of the night and every light was on in the room, including the
television! Others have heard hushed whispers coming from the closet and have
seen the door to the room slamming shut on its own.
The Red Lion Inn (1773)
Stockbridge, Massachusetts
Ghostly rumors continue to swirl at the inn which has seen the likes of many
paranormal investigators and mediums. The fourth floor, in particular, has been
said to have the most activity. Both cleaning staff and guests have claimed to
see a “ghostly young girl carrying flowers” and “a man in a top
hat.” It has been said that guests have awoken to the feeling of someone
standing over them at the foot of the bed. Cold spots, unexplained knocks, and
electrical disturbances have all been reported. Guestroom 301 is also known to
be a haunted hot spot.
Omni Parker House, Boston (1855)
Boston, Massachusetts
This hotel was opened by Harvey Parker and he was involved with the operations
of the building until his death in 1884. Over the years, many guests have
reported seeing him inquiring about their stay—a true “spirited” hotelier even
after his death.
The Sagamore (1883)
Bolton Landing, New York
The Sagamore has its own American ghost story. Opened in 1883 as a
playground resort for summer residents of Millionaire’s Row, this rambling
historic hotel sits in a 6 million-acre state park and is rumored to
accommodate a ghost or two. Stories persist of the ghost of a silver-haired
woman wearing a blue polka-dot dress descending from the second floor to the
Trillium, the hotel’s fine dining restaurant.
1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa (1886)
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
The 1886 Crescent Hotel, well known today as being a mountaintop spa resort in
the Arkansas Ozarks, was once used as a Cancer Curing Hospital which was under
the control of the hospital’s owner, reported charlatan Norman Baker from
Muscatine, Iowa. Baker operated his Eureka Springs’ facility from 1937
until December 1940. There are many paranormal patrons with terrifying tales to
tell. Among those are Michael, the Irish stonemason who, while constructing the
building back in 1885, fell to his death in the footprint of what is now Room
218. He has thought to be a frequent visitor to the room since the day of
his death. There’s also Theodora – a patient and helper during the days when
the hotel was owned Norman Baker, resides in Room 419. Guests have
reported that she will put bags in front of the door from the inside making it
hard for guests to open their door upon their return. Dozens and dozens of
ghost like encounters, and creepy, unexplained occurrences happen at this hotel
on a regular basis.
Jekyll Island Club Resort (1887)
Jekyll Island, Georgia
Over the years, the Jekyll Island Club Resort has seen many families come and
go since it opened in 1887. With all that time, comes the stories and
mysteries, the staff, as well as guests have encountered firsthand. One such
encounter involves the family of J.P. Morgan. Sans Souci, one of the buildings
at the Jekyll Island Club Resort, is a handsome four-story structure erected in
1896 as one of the first condominiums to ever be built. It was built originally
for families to use, including the family of J. Pierpont Morgan. His family
rooms were located on the third floor, north end of the property facing the
Jekyll River. He was particularly fond of the large porch which graced the
front of his apartment allowing him a beautiful view of the river. Mr. Morgan
was a lover of cigars. As the story goes, one could tell where he was by following
the trail of smoke. In order to avoid criticisms for his favorite hobby, he
would rise early every morning by 5 am to have a smoke on the porch. While most
contemporary guests are not rising at such an early hour for a cigar, those who
have stayed in the Morgan’s old apartment swear they have awakened to the faint
smell of cigar smoke wafting about when there is absolutely no one else awake.
Union Station Nashville, Autograph
Collection (1900) Nashville, Tennessee
One of Nashville’s most iconic landmarks, Union Station Hotel resides
in a building that previously served as the city’s buzzing
railway station. Guests are reminded of the building’s rich
history through another kind of encounter: with the hotel’s
resident ghost, Abigail. Legend has it that during World War
II a young woman, Abigail, said goodbye to her soldier
on the Union Station train platform before he shipped off to France.
When she arrived at that same spot to greet him on his return, she
was instead met with word that he was killed in action.
Distraught, Abigail threw herself in front of a passing
locomotive. The forlorn spirit of Abigail, still looking for her
lost love, can reportedly be seen wandering the main
terminal and her presence felt in Room 711. Now
known as the Abigail Room, guests can request to stay
in the haunted suite, which is decorated unlike any other room
in the hotel with antique
furnishings, a four-poster bed and artwork inspired by her
tale.
Moana Surfrider, A Westin
Resort & Spa (1901) Honolulu, Hawaii
On February 28, 1905, the untimely death of Jane Stanford, co-founder of
Stanford University, made headlines everywhere. Stanford, who was vacationing
in Hawaii following a strychnine poisoning attempt on her life, died in her
room at the Moana. There have been reports that the ghost of Stanford still frequents
the hotel, whose beautiful ocean vistas brought her short-lived peace. Guests
and hotel staff have said that they’ve seen her walking at night trying to find
her room. Omni Mount Washington Resort,
Bretton Woods (1902) New Hampshire
Known affectionately by staff members as “the princess”, Caroline Foster, was a
long-time inhabitant of the hotel. Princess Caroline Foster’s ties to the
resort go back to its inception when her husband, railroad tycoon Joseph
Stickney, built the grand resort in 1902. Incorporating special accommodations
for his wife, construction of the resort included an indoor swimming pool and a
private dining room for Caroline known today as the “Princess Room.” A
prominent figure at the resort since its opening, many guests who have visited
continue to report sightings of the regal Caroline. Visions of an elegant woman
in Victorian dress are often spotted in the hallways of the hotel, there are
light taps on doors when no one is outside and items suddenly disappear and
then reappear in the exact place they were lost. But perhaps the most
common sighting of the beloved Caroline is in room 314, where guests report
seeing a vision of the woman sitting at the edge of their bed.
The Seelbach
Hilton Louisville (1905)
Louisville, Kentucky
Legend says two lovers were to be married at the hotel in 1907, but the groom
met an untimely death on his way to the wedding. His distraught bride threw
herself down the elevator shaft, falling ten stories to her death. The bride is
said to continue to haunt the halls of this historic hotel.
Mizpah Hotel (1907)
Tonopah, Nevada
Built in 1907 and beautifully restored to its former grandeur and glory. The
hotel is home to several ghostly figures. One of which is the former bellhops
has been seen roaming the halls of the hotel trying to give guests a hand with
their luggage. The town of Tonopah was well known for silver mining and just
beneath the Mizpah are old mining tunnels. The hotel had a run-in with a few
very greedy miners and lost out on a large sum of money. As legend is told,
three miners dug a hole into the old bank safe and robbed the hotel. One of the
men turned his back on his two accomplices and shot them. He left them for dead
and took off with the money and was never been caught. To this day, those two
miners still lurk in the basement of the Hotel.
The Omni Grove Park Inn (1913)
Asheville, North Carolina
There is a strange, but gentle spirit residing within the gray, granite walls
of Asheville’s historic Grove Park Inn. Known simply as the “Pink Lady”, she
has been seen, felt and experienced by hotel employees and guests for nearly a
century. Although the Pink Lady is believed to have met her demise on the Palm
Court floor after falling two stories from the fifth floor to the third floor,
she has been seen and experienced in a number of places throughout the resort.
The Pink Lady has been described as a dense pinkish smoke with a presence that
can be felt by guests throughout the grounds of the Inn.
La Fonda (1922)
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Shot to death in 1867 in the hotel lobby, John P. Slough, Chief Justice of the
Territorial Supreme Court, is said to have never left. Meanwhile, a distraught
salesman, who jumped into the hotel well after losing a card game, has been
seen emerging from the fountain by visitors and guests alike.
The Emily Morgan San Antonio- a
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel (1924) San Antonio,
Texas
The Emily Morgan is known to be one of the most haunted hotels in all of Texas.
According to various reports, even some given by the hotel’s own management
team, the most haunted floors are the seventh, ninth and fourteenth floors in
addition to the basement.
It was these particular floors that at one time functioned as the psychiatric
ward, surgery level, waiting area and morgue, respectively. At the Emily
Morgan, almost all of the paranormal reports involve ghosts and spirits from
days gone by when the building was the medical building.
Guests have reported strange things occurring on these particular levels. Those
staying on the fourteenth level of the Emily Morgan generally have one thing to
say: that the smell is acutely reminiscent of a hospital. Guests have reported
to opening the doors to the hallways only to find a scene from a hospital
waiting right inside.
Francis Marion Hotel (1924)
Charleston, South Carolina
In the early 1930s, New Yorker Ned Cohen was visiting his Southern lady friend
in Charleston. Whatever happened was never clear, but he was found face down,
body smashed in the middle of King Street facing toward the old Citadel’s
parade grounds. Today, visitors hear eerie and unexplained sounds at night, all
too familiar to the bell staff and room attendants walking the halls. Sounds of
rustling silk drapes, rattling windows, and an unexplained vision of a man
questioning either himself or the witness. Some see the ghost in short
sleeves, others just feel his presence throughout the hotel.
Hawthorne Hotel (1925)
Salem, Massachusetts
The city of Salem is notorious for the Salem Witch Trials in 1692 and is prone
to hauntings and spirits of its own. The hotel has ghost stories, mostly
attributed to the sea captains who were returning to their gathering place. In
particular, guests staying in rooms 612 and 325 have reported of lights turning
off and on and experiencing a general uneasy feeling throughout the
rooms.
Hotel Viking (1926)
Newport, Rhode Island
Hotel Viking has had many guests and staff members come and go, reporting
stories of spirited guests. The story that has been reported repeatedly is of a
little boy is often seen cleaning the floors of the historic wing of the hotel.
There have been about 10 different guests regaling a similar story of a young
boy cleaning. This has also been confirmed by most of the housekeeping
staff.
Hotel Saranac, Curio Collection
by Hilton (1927) Saranac, New York
This historic hotel was built on foundation of a former High School. It is the
only hotel building remaining of 13 luxury hotels that once served this
community. While fires led to the downfall of some of the area’s hotels,
survived by design: made of steel and brick, Hotel Saranac was the area’s
first fireproof hotel. The hotel had a civil defense tower on top,
where it is said that Boy Scouts would wait to watch for Russian Bombers. Room
308 – Emily Balsam, was a guest at Hotel Saranac and worked at a local college.
She had a cat. The story is told that she was not feeling well for a while and
got tired of people checking on her and just wanted to be left alone. She had
her phone disconnected and stopped all housekeeping. She did not want to
be disturbed for any reason. No one saw much of her after that. At some point
the guest and staff started to complain about the smell coming from that room
and the cat always “crying” and Emily refused to answer the door. The
manager at the time went up to talk to her and found she had been dead for
weeks and the cat was still alive. The cat was taken to a shelter but it is
said that the ghost of Emily’s cat can still be heard crying or scratching at
the wall, perhaps wandering the hotel looking for her.
Hotel Monteleone (1886) New
Orleans, Louisiana
A maid, known as “Mrs. Clean” reputedly haunts the hotel. Paranormal
researchers once asked why she stayed, and the maid, whose mother, grandmother,
and great-grandmother also worked at the hotel, said she was picking up after
housekeeping to ensure high standards.
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn
& Spa (1927) Sonoma, California
It is said that ghosts haunt where they were the happiest. Fairmont Sonoma
Mission Inn & Spa welcomes guests past and present and tells the tales of
guests who never wanted to leave. When the evenings are still and the fog rolls
in from the Bay, a hauntingly beautiful woman has been seen strolling the
hallways of the Inn in period dress. Victoria, as she is fondly referred to by
many of the Inn’s tenured employees and whose family traces back to the
founding fathers of Sonoma Valley, is said to have celebrated her wedding and
many anniversaries at the resort.
Hassayampa Inn (1927)
Prescott, Arizona
The year it opened, the Hassayampa Inn developed its most famous legend. A very
young bride named Faith Summers checked into a balcony suite with her much
older husband in 1927. According to the story, Faith’s husband went out to buy
cigarettes and never returned. Faith waited for three days and then took her
life in despair. Since then, countless hotel guests and employees have reported
encounters with a young woman throughout the hotel crying at the end of a bed,
dressed in a pink gown in the hallway, appearing and disappearing from rooms.
One housekeeper saw a woman by a bed, holding flowers and crying. When asked if
she needed help, the woman vanished. Kitchen staff have reported feeling
Faith’s presence in the kitchen, right before the burners on the stove suddenly
went out. Others have reported strange cold spots in Faith’s honeymoon suite.
The heartbroken ghost appears unable to move on from her anguish. Many think
that though Faith is heartbroken, she enjoys staying at the Hassayampa
Inn.
The Don CeSar(1928) St. Pete Beach, Florida
Over the years there have been a number of reported “sightings” and strange
occurrences at this historic hotel. Although there are various stories, the
most common presence felt through the building is that of Mr. Thomas
Rowe, the man who brought the Don CeSar to life and is the focal point of the
love story surrounding the hotel. It is rumored that people have reported
seeing Mr. Rowe throughout the hotel, on the beach, and even interacting
with guests and staff. In the evening it has been reported that from time to
time guests have looked up to the windows on the fifth floor and see the figure
of a man watching from above.
Lord Baltimore Hotel (1928)
Baltimore, Maryland
Over the course of its more then 90-year history, the Lord Baltimore Hotel has
had reports of paranormal activity. Built in 1928, the hotel was one of the
tallest building in the city (the Great Fire of 1904 destroyed Downtown
Baltimore) and around the time of the Great Depression, there were at least 20
documented reports of “jumpers” from the 19th floor rooftop
deck. The most spoken about is that of a couple who attended an event at the
hotel with their daughter – and then proceeded to jump off the building. Their
daughter, “Molly,” is typically seen in the halls wearing a white dress and
playing with a red ball. There has also been a lot of paranormal speculation
around a handprint of a child on a wall in one of the hotel’s penthouses that
won’t go away.
Omni Shoreham Hotel,
Washington, DC (1930) Washington, DC
During the Shoreham’s early years, three people died unexpectedly in suite 870.
At that time the apartment was occupied by one of the hotel’s owners, Henry
Doherty. Juliette Brown, the family’s housekeeper dropped dead mysteriously one
night at 4 am. Doherty’s daughter and wife also perished mysteriously in the
same suite. During its vacancy there were claims of mysterious noises, doors
slamming shut and furniture moving—many of which happened around 4 am, the time
of Juliette’s death.
Tubac Golf Resort and Spa (1959)
Tubac, Arizona
There have been hauntings throughout the resort that have been reported by
guests by at least four unique ghosts including a boy, a lady in gray, a very
active gentleman spirit, and a cowboy. Some of these spirits are believed to
date back to the early age of the resort when it was the Otero Ranch. The
haunts have been investigated by the Phoenix, Arizona Paranormal Society and
featured on the “Haunted Series, Arizona.”
“The spirits reported to reside within these Historic Hotels of America have
been described as sad to happy, shy to friendly, slowly meandering to in a
rush, in work clothes to elaborately dressed, and range from young to old,”
said Lawrence Horwitz, Executive Director, Historic Hotels of America and
Historic Hotels Worldwide. “Some pre-date the construction of the hotel and
others figure prominently from the early years of the historic hotels.”
Historic
Hotels of America is the official program of the National Trust for Historic
Preservation for recognizing and celebrating the finest Historic Hotels.
Historic Hotels of America has more than 300 historic hotel members. These
historic hotels have all faithfully maintained their authenticity, sense of
place, and architectural integrity in the United States of America, including
44 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.
Historic Hotels of America is comprised of mostly independently owned and
operated historic hotels. More than 30 of the world’s finest hospitality
brands, chains, and collections are represented in Historic Hotels of America.
To be nominated and selected for membership into this prestigious program, a
hotel must be at least 50 years old; have been designated by the U.S. Secretary
of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark or listed in or eligible for
listing in the National Register of Historic Places; and recognized as having
historic significance. For more information, visit HistoricHotels.org.
Ride & Seek adventure cycling company has introduced the first two stages of The Marco Polo Expedition, cycling 1900 km from Venice to Athens.
(Provence, France) —
Ride & Seek, an adventure cycling company offering itineraries that follow
in the footsteps of historical figures, is thrilled to announce its most
ambitious project to date: The Marco Polo Expedition. The goal of this newly
created tour is to cycle from Venice, Italy to Beijing, China in seven distinct
stages. The first two stages are scheduled to run in September 17 – October 14,
2020, leading riders 1,900 km from Venice to Athens, Greece over 26 days.
Guests will bike down the coast from Italy through Croatia, Bosnia Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania and Greece, riding from harbor to harbor. Accommodations range from charming Soviet-style hotels to agriturismos and modern boutique hotels. Fine wine and gourmet food will be featured throughout the trip. This epic excursion ranges from $5,260 USD to $11,248 USD per person.
“Our Epic Adventures are all created with a sense of discovery at their core, and this tour fulfills that in abundance,” said Ride & Seek Founder Dylan Reynolds. “Marco Polo is one of the great travelers in history and in many ways, he embodies the spirit of the tours we run.”
Polo was a Venetian merchant who journeyed across Asia at the height of the Mongol Empire. He first set out at age 17 with his father and uncle, travelling overland along what later became known as the Silk Road. Upon reaching China, Marco Polo entered the court of powerful Mongol ruler Kublai Khan, who dispatched him on trips to help administer the realm. Marco Polo remained abroad for 24 years.
STAGE 1 – Venice to Dubrovnik Leaving Venice by boat, the first stage of The Marco Polo Expedition embraces the essence of island-hopping, which lies at the heart of this tour. We negotiate our way down the stunning Dalmatian coast via Marco Polo’s alleged birthplace of Korcula and take in such jewels as Hvar and Split on our way to the enchanting city of Dubrovnik. 12-days/11-nights, 738 km, September 17-29 2020
STAGE 2 – Dubrovnik to Athens Leaving Dubrovnik, riders quickly enter the beguiling country of Montenegro before jumping on to the road-less-traveled through fascinating Albania, a true tour highlight and phenomenal cycling destination. The final week take guests first to Corfu, before heading inland towards Athens. 16-days/15-nights, 1,050 km, September 29 – October 14, 2020
Ride & Seek is a worldwide adventure cycling company offering unique
historical itineraries with quality lodging, fine gastronomy, and cultural
immersion. Cyclists can not only ride some of the greatest roads in Europe but
also visit some of the most spectacular sites as well. Providing a cultural
insight into the areas visited both historically and gastronomically is central.
Historical journeys and cultural adventures are the company’s specialties. https://rideandseek.com
One of the best bike tours on the planet is in our own backyard: the annual Parks & Trails NY Cycle the Erie Canal ride, eight-days, 400-miles and 400 years of history, from Buffalo to Albany, a fully supported biking and camping trip (you can even hire Comfy Campers to set up your tent).
The
ride raises money and awareness for advocacy for new trail development and this
year’s ride will highlight new trails that take the riders off the roadway – this
year, cyclists will ride a new stretch west of Lockport in the town of
Pendleton and a gorgeous new trail between Amsterdam and Pattersonville (so you
no longer bike on the highway). Some 550
riders are expected this year, its 21st
annual Cycle the Erie ride, taking place , July 7-14; Parks & Trails NY is
still accepting registrations ($925/adult, 6-17 $545, 5-and under $280,
ptny.org)
The
organization’s key focus now is to build upon the state’s plan for 750-miles of
off-road recreational trails – the 360-mile long Erie Canalway, plus Empire
State Trail, north-south mixed-use, off-road trail system that will fully
connect New York City to Canada.
The
plans are already in place for the Empire State Trail to be completed by the
end of 2020. In 2019, PTNY launched Trails Across New York Campaign, to build
off the momentum of the Empire State Trail’s planned completion in 2020 and
support ways to turn the statewide trail system into a true network, connecting
local trails with the main spine of the Empire State Trail, including Long
Island, “and cementing New York’s position as the nation’s leader in multi-use
trails.”
Legislation
is currently pending in the NYS Assembly (A. 5035B) (S.4416B has already passed
the NYS Senate) would create a statewide multi-use trails plan. This important
bill would direct the state to come up with a blueprint for future trails
development, helping to turn our local trails across the state into a unified network
of trails with major spines and connecting routes, ensuring all parts of the
state have access to quality outdoor active recreation on trails.
The
Senate version has already passed; the Assembly version is in Ways & Means,
which directs the State Parks department to strategize and prioritize filling
in the trail gaps. Though it was considered possible for the Assembly to pass
its version by the June 19th close of session, if it languishes to
the next session, progress will not be lost. Parks & Trails was urging
people to contact their state legislator to ask them to cosponsor the
legislation and to make sure that the legislation is brought up for a vote
before the legislature adjourns for the year.
“Trails
Across New York envisions a future in which all New Yorkers will be located
only minutes from a trail and ideally will be able to access that trail easily
and safely by walking or bicycling. Throughout the state, trails, bicycle
boulevards, and Complete Streets will be acknowledged as essential and
mainstream elements of community infrastructure, much as utility lines and
sidewalks are thought of today.”
PTNY notes that New York State’s trail-rich and
trail-friendly reputation will attract visitors from across the nation and
abroad to experience the historic communities and varied and beautiful
landscapes accessible through the state’s trail network.
Trails
offer a wide range of benefits, including stimulating local economies, PTNY
notes. The Erie Canalway Trail alone has an estimated annual impact of more
than $250 million, and has created close to 3,500 jobs. New York’s outdoor
recreation economy annually generates $41.8 billion in consumer spending and
supports 313,000 jobs.
See
Cycle the Erie series on goingplacesfarandnear.com:
New York, NY – The New-York Historical
Society, the oldest museum in New York, celebrates Revolutionary Summer.
The festivities kick off on July 4, with Free Admission for kids 17 and under.
A Museum-wide exploration of Revolutionary War times, Revolutionary Summerpresents outdoor events
every weekend featuring characters from the era; 18th-century art and
artifacts; a diorama of the Continental Army; and a host of programs for all
ages, including trivia nights, a DJ evening, and a Revolutionary Drag Tea
Party. On select weekends, visitors can explore a replica of George
Washington’s Headquarters Tent at an outdoor Continental Army encampment, meet
Living Historians portraying soldiers and spies, and learn about the many
facets of camp life during the War for Independence.
“We’re so excited to welcome visitors to New-York Historical this
summer with a full line-up of fun ways to experience the Revolutionary era,”
said Dr. Louise Mirrer, president and CEO of the New-York Historical Society. “Revolutionary
Summer celebrates the outstanding, revolutionary times that ignited
the birth of our country with everything from a scavenger hunt to the chance to
meet George Washington.”
The centerpiece of Revolutionary Summer is a replica of George Washington’s Headquarters Tent, on display in New-York Historical’s outdoor courtyard on select weekends.
George Washington’s Headquarters Tent July 4–7 | July 26–28 | August 16–18 | August 23–25 | September 13–15 The centerpiece of Revolutionary Summer is a replica of George Washington’s Headquarters Tent, on display in New-York Historical’s outdoor courtyard on select weekends. The original Tent is on display at the Museum of the American Revolution (MoAR) in Philadelphia. Often called the “first Oval Office,” the Headquarters Tent was where Washington and his most trusted staff plotted the strategy that ultimately won the Revolutionary War. On loan from MoAR, this painstakingly detailed, hand-sewn replica—made of custom woven linen and wool fabrics—was created as part of a collaboration between MoAR and Colonial Williamsburg. The Tent is staffed by MoAR educators, who lead visitors on an immersive tour through history.
On View A host of special installations and artifacts are on view at New-York Historical as part of Revolutionary Summer. One of the highlights is a recently discovered watercolor painting of the 1782 Continental Army encampment at Verplanck’s Point, New York—the only known eyewitness image of Washington’s Headquarters Tent during the Revolutionary War—on loan from MoAR. Other highlights include a camp cot used by Washington at Valley Forge during the winter of 1777; John Trumbull’s iconic painting of Washington that he gave to Martha Washington in 1790; and a pipe tomahawk gifted by Washington to Seneca Chief Sagoyewatha. Also on display is a diorama depicting the Verplanck’s Point encampment and the Hudson River shoreline, providing visitors with a 360-degree view of the scope and scale of Washington’s forces.
Revolutionary Summer also showcases historic documents from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, including an original 1823 William J. Stone facsimile of the Declaration of Independence; a broadside from King George III announcing the armistice and officially ending the war; and a letter by Martha Washington detailing domestic life in the aftermath of the Revolution.
Independence Day Celebration: Celebrate the Fourth of July exploring George Washington’s
encampment! Enter his Headquarters Tent, meet the man himself, and experience
where the future first president strategized, dined, and slept while MoAR staff
describe his daily life. Also on tap: singalongs with the Hudson River
Ramblers; fife and drum corps music; a one-woman play about Deborah Sampson,
the woman who disguised her gender to enlist in the Continental Army;
family-friendly food for purchase; and Living Historians portraying soldiers
from the Continental Army, as well as John Adams, who’ll read the Declaration
of Independence. Free Admission for kids age 17 and under.
Living History Weekends: Outdoor Continental Army Encampment: Every weekend, visitors of all ages can explore a recreation of
the Continental Army’s encampment in New-York Historical’s courtyard, located
on 76th Street, around the corner from Central Park West. Free with
Museum Admission.
George Washington’s Spies, Bodyguards, and Agents | July 6 & 7 Your top-secret mission: Enter George Washington’s encampment, meet with him and his spies, and decode your own message.
Join the Continental Army | July 13 & 14 | August 31 & September 1 | September 7 & 8 The Continental Army wants you! Explore their encampment tents and displays of 18th-century weaponry, participate in drills, and interact with all of the tools and equipment of a common soldier.
Everyday Life in Camp | July 20 & 21 Join the 3rd New Jersey Regiment to experience how soldiers and their families spent time in camp when they weren’t marching to war. Meet the women who helped prepare for military campaigns, play with 18th-century toys and games, and witness how soldiers passed the time.
Field Music on the March | July 27 & 28 March along to Revolutionary War field music performed by the drum and fife musicians of Hearts of Oak and the New Jersey Field Music Group.
Deborah Sampson, Fighting Woman | August 3 & 4 Meet Deborah Sampson—the woman who disguised her gender to enlist in the Continental Army—and members of her regiment, the 7th Massachusetts. Join Deborah for military drills and explore the inner workings of her regiment, from muskets to tents and knapsacks to ground cloths.
Fighting on Horseback | August 10 & 11 Saddle up! Get an up close look at the special equipment, weapons, and techniques used by cavalry in the Continental Army and meet the 2nd Continental Light Dragoons and the 4th Legion.
George Washington’s Encampment | August 17 & 18 | August 24 & 25 Enter George Washington’s Headquarters Tent and experience what life was like during the war—from meals to down time to battle preparations.
Metalsmithing in George Washington’s Encampment | September 14 & 15 Learn all about the crucial craft of metalsmithing as you tour George Washington’s encampment. Examine the smith’s tools and take a turn at shaping a bowl or a button.
What the History?
This millennial-focused series of fun events and programs explores fascinating Revolutionary topics while drinking and mingling!
Revolutionary Trivia Night! |Friday, July 12, 8 pm | Friday, August 23, 8 pm | $20 ($18 Members) Do you know what George Washington’s favorite breakfast beverage was? If you do (or even if you don’t), bring your friends for a fun night of trivia courtesy of the fact fanatics at Trivia, AD! Ages 21 and up. Wine included with ticket.
Revolutionary Drag Tea Party | Sunday, July 14, 3 pm | $25, includes Museum Admission Dress to impress in your best period-inspired drag and play Revolutionary War-era games, enjoy snacks and cocktails, and compete in categories like Most Revolutionary Outfit. Ages 21 and up. Drinks and snacks included with ticket.
Trans Identity and the Incredible Story of Deborah Sampson, Female Revolutionary War Hero | Wednesday, July 24, 6:30 pm | $20 ($18 Members) Explore the extraordinary, true story of Revolutionary War hero Deborah Sampson with Alex Myers, as he discusses his novel Revolutionary. Ages 21 and up. Wine included with ticket.
Nerdy Thursdays: Revolution Night | Thursday, August 8, 6:30 pm | Free with RSVP Swing by the Museum for this signature event from the Black Gotham Experience that brings together a DJ, gallery talks, cocktails, and a brilliant group of nerdy people. RSVP at blackgotham.com
Watson Adventures: Revolutionary Trail Scavenger Hunt | Friday, August 16, 6 pm | Free with Pay-as-you-wish Admission Explore the Museum’s Revolutionary Trail and solve a series of puzzles involving objects on display, led by Watson Adventures. Game lasts 45 minutes. Smartphone is needed to play.
For additional information about Revolutionary Summer and its related programs, visit nyhistory.org/revsummer.
Lead support for Revolutionary Summer provided by the Achelis and Bodman Foundation. Additional support provided by Richard Brown and Mary Jo Otsea. Support for the MoAR’s participation in Revolutionary Summer is generously provided by William and Candace Raveis. Exhibitions at New-York Historical are made possible by Dr. Agnes Hsu-Tang and Oscar Tang, the Saunders Trust for American History, the Seymour Neuman Endowed Fund, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. WNET is the media sponsor.The New-York Historical Society, one of America’s preeminent culturalinstitutions, is dedicated to fostering research and presenting history and art exhibitions and public programs that reveal the dynamism of history and its influence on the world of today. Founded in 1804, New-York Historical has a mission to explore the richly layered history of New York City and State and the country, and to serve as a national forum for the discussion of issues surrounding the making and meaning of history.
The Museum of the American Revolution explores the dramatic, surprising story of the American Revolution through its unmatched collection of Revolutionary-era weapons, personal items, documents, and works of art. Immersive galleries, powerful theater experiences, and interactive digital elements bring to life the diverse array of people that created a new nation against incredible odds. Visitors gain a deeper appreciation for how this nation came to be and feel inspired to consider their role in the ongoing promise of the American Revolution. Located just steps away from Independence Hall, the Museum serves as a portal to the region’s many Revolutionary sites, sparking interest, providing context, and encouraging exploration. The Museum is a private, non-profit, and non-partisan organization. For more information, visit www.AmRevMuseum.org or call 877.740.1776.
Each year, the National Trust for Historic
Preservation puts out an emergency call to protect the most endangered historic
places. This year’s list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places sheds
light on important examples of our nation’s heritage that are at risk of
destruction or irreparable damage. Over 300 places have been listed in its
32-year history, and in that time, fewer than 5 percent of listed sites have
been lost.
The 2019 list includes a diverse mix of
historic places across America that face a range of challenges and threats,
from climate change to inappropriate development to neglect and disuse.
Find out what you can do to support these
irreplaceable sites:
Primarily settled by formerly enslaved
people after the Civil War, Dallas’ Tenth Street Historic District includes a
collection of buildings dating from the late 19th to early 20th century. A 2010
change to a local ordinance allowed the city to obtain demolition permits for
houses less than 3,000 square feet without Landmark Commission review, which is
substantially increasing the rate of demolition. To date, at least 70 of the
district’s 260 homes have been demolished.
Nashville’s Music Row is a world-class
musical mecca that harbors more than 200 music-related businesses, making it
unlike any other place in the world. Out of its modest homes and large
commercial buildings has emerged an unmatched canon of music recordings across
a wide variety of musical styles, which has delighted music fans for
generations.
Industrial Trust Company Building, Providence, Rhode Island
An iconic part of the Providence skyline,
the 1928 Industrial Trust Company Building is under threat due to deterioration
and deferred maintenance after six years of vacancy. While this site is located
within a qualified “Opportunity Zone” (an area eligible for capital gains tax
incentive benefits), there is no redevelopment plan for the so-called Superman
Building, and its future is in question. Read More.
Ancestral Places of Southeast Utah, Southeast Utah
Listed in the Green Book, the Excelsior
Club was a leading private African American social club in the Southeast,
hosting artists like Nat King Cole and Louis Armstrong during its heyday. The
Art Moderne building needs significant investment. The property is currently
listed for sale for $1.5 million, but even if a buyer is found, a reuse plan
and significant investments are necessary to ensure a strong future. Read more.
Hacienda Los Torres—built in 1846 during
the height of Puerto Rico’s coffee industry by Jose Maria Torres—is one of the
last historic coffee plantation houses on the island and one of the oldest
remaining structures in Puerto Rico. It’s also associated with the “Grito de
Lares” revolt and the Spanish-American War.
Long-term deterioration and the effects of
multiple hurricanes, including Hurricane Maria in 2017, threaten this historic
site. Support saving Hacienda Los Torres.
This complex, a unique example of early
Modernism with bas-reliefs depicting scenes of everyday life, was New York
State’s first housing project constructed specifically for African Americans.
Today, the site is vacant and many of its structures are open to the elements.
The Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority has proposed demolishing the complex to
construct replacement housing.
The Bismarck-Mandan Rail Bridge connects
Bismarck and Mandan, North Dakota. Constructed in 1883, it was the first rail
bridge built across the upper Missouri River. The iconic bridge has been
recognized as an International Site of Conscience for the role it played in
opening the western United States to white settlement—and the resulting
profound impacts to Native American communities—but it has been proposed for
demolition by railway company BNSF.
The Coast Guard is in consultation with
BNSF and other parties under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation
Act. The Coast Guard has proposed a conditional permit that would require BNSF
to retain the historic bridge until after an adjacent new bridge is
constructed, in order to allow time to identify a preservation solution for the
Bismarck-Mandan Rail Bridge. Tell the Coast Guard not to allow demolition of this
iconic bridge.
For more information, follow us on Twitter and join the conversation using the
hashtag #11Most.
