Discover 400 Years of Unparalleled National Heritage On a Single Tank of Gas in the Nation’s 38th National Heritage Area
“Take the Journey to Where America Happened”
The Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area includes Single Largest Concentration of Civil War Battle Sites 150th Anniversary Commemorations of the American Civil War
WATERFORD, VA, May 12, 2011— Where can you get 400 years of unparalleled American history and heritage on a single tank of gas? Where can you find a National Heritage Area that includes nine Presidential homes, 13 National Parks, the largest single collection of Civil War sites in the nation, 30 historic Main Street communities to stay and dine in, many of the country’s best wineries and restaurants to enjoy, and to top it off, a National Scenic Byway with breadth taking landscapes, rivers and trails nearby to explore?
Only in the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area that spans from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, to Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello in Charlottesville, Virginia. With the once-in-a-lifetime 150th anniversary commemorations of the American Civil War upon us, now is the time to discover Where America Happened. It’s within a short drive from Washington, DC, Baltimore MD, Philadelphia, PA, Harrisburg, PA, Richmond, VA, and Charlotte, NC.
Known as Where America Happened™, this region holds more American history than any other in the nation and can be enjoyed on just one tank of gas. As fuel prices rise and air travel becomes more unwieldy, now more than ever is the time to Take the Journey ™ to discover some of the nation’s most picturesque landscapes and explore 400 years of American heritage.
Visitors can discover the stories of Abraham Lincoln and Gettysburg, PA; Civil Rights and Harpers Ferry, WVA; historic downtowns like Frederick, MD and Leesburg, VA; the Iroquois Indians and the Potomac River; the inspiration of James Madison and the U.S. Constitution at Montpelier; the genius of Thomas Jefferson and Monticello; as well as locally grown foods, a perfectly aged barrel of Virginia grapes and so much more.
“There are few things that match the joy of discovery when exploring the unmatched history and heritage found in this spectacular National Heritage Area,” said Cate Magennis Wyatt, president and founder of the Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership. “The Sesquicentennial Commemorations of the American Civil war are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities and make it the perfect time walk the battlefields; explore the exceptional historic downtowns; and taste the vibrancy of the farms and vineyards. It’s only by visiting these remarkable places, that the stories of the heroic men and women who lived here during the Civil War become real. We welcome everyone to discover this magnificent region.”
Upcoming events include:
- During a weekend that is expected to draw national and international dignitaries, celebrities, historians and thousands of Civil War reenactors, on Friday, July 22 in Manassas, VA, The Journey and Warner Bros’ Home Entertainment welcome you meet the movie stars from Ronald F. Maxwell’s definitive epic Civil War film, Gods and Generals and enjoy the new Extended Director’s Cut of the film with them. Get the inside scoop from the director and the gods and generals themselves on making the film and the importance of our nation’s heritage. http://www.hallowedground.org/content/view/576
- Join the Journey in commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War and the events that forever changed our nation. Take a five-day tour with Mid-Atlantic Tours & Receptive Services and experience the Civil War as never before. Witness the Battle of First Manassas Reenactment from premium seating on the battlefield. Dance at the Blue & Gray ball. Explore Washington D.C. sites followed by an Illuminated monument tour. To book your 150th Civil War Commemoration tour email devon@takeafuntrip.com.
- On May 18th, you can register to win a Journey of a Lifetime on our website: www.HallowedGround.org — where you can truly immerse yourself in American history with an amazing Journey for two! Enter for your chance to WIN a 6-night stay, exploring a scenic and historically rich landscape of 180 amazing miles along the east coast. Receive two VIP passes to the official 150th commemorative ceremony in Gettysburg. Enjoy all of this, complete with hotel stay, car rental, and airfare.
The Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area contains the single largest collection of Civil War sites in the nation, including the beginning, middle and end of the Civil War. Sites include: Aldie, Antietam, Appomattox Court House, Ball’s Bluff, Brandy Station, Bristoe Station, Cedar Mountain, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Harpers Ferry, Kelly’s Ford, Manassas, Middleburg, Monocacy, Rappahannock Station, Spotsylvania Court House, Thoroughfare Gap, Upperville, Wilderness and many others.
The Journey Through Hallowed Ground is a National Heritage Area with a National Scenic Byway running through it. From Gettysburg to Monticello, it’s known as the regionWhere America Happened™. It contains more history than any other region in the nation and includes: National and World Heritage sites, over 10,000 sites on the National Register of Historic Places, 49 National Heritage districts, nine Presidential homes, 13 National Park units, hundreds of African American and Native American heritage sites, 30 Historic Main Street communities, sites from the Revolutionary War, French-Indian War, War of 1812 as well as the largest collection of Civil War sites in the nation.
The JTHG Partnership is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness of the unparalleled history within the swath of land from Monticello to Gettysburg and has successfully created the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area and has had the Old Carolina Road (Rt. 15/20/231) from Gettysburg, through Maryland, to Monticello designated a National Scenic Byway. For more information, go to: www.HallowedGround.org
