Unforgettable Gettysburg - July 1, 2, 3

Gettysburg commemorates the battle, July 1-3, and include "real time" ranger-led programs following the progress of the battle in chronological order.

In addition to these programs, the park offers three-hour battle walks on the anniversary dates. All are free. For details visit www.nps.gov/gett.

It now costs more to visit the Cyclorama, museum and film at the year-old visitor center at the Gettysburg National Military Park.

Adult tickets are now $10.50 (formerly $7.50). Youth tickets now cost $6.50. Discounts are available for advance tickets sold through the Gettysburg Foundation site, www.gettysburgfoundation.org.

July Reenactments

July 3-5
Gettysburg (PA)

July 10-12
Battles at Wise (VA)

July 11-12
Rich Mountain (WV)

July 11-12
Gilmor's Raid (MD)

July 25-26
Civil War Days at the Grove (IL)

Connecticut residents can view artifacts relating to the state's contribution to the Civil War at the Museum of Connecticut History at The Connecticut State Library in Hartford. On display are uniforms and weapons; an original diary and other mementos preserved by Connecticut soldiers in the infamous Andersonville prison.

Top image, CivilWarTraveler.com

Relentless Pursuit Of Exploration, 400th

Samuel de Champlain arrived on the lake that bears his name 400 years ago.

The feat of exploration is celebrated in two states, New York and Vermont, that border that great lake.

New York is also celebrating the 400th anniversary of the voyage of English Captain Henry Hudson, who led (for the Dutch) the first European expedition to sail up the river that now bears his name.

To celebrate these simultaneous quadricentennials, both state offer reasons to explore history where it happened.

For a sample of stories from the lake, visit Vermont Public Radio's tale: www.vpr.net. Anyone interested in business, industrial history, and people would do well to bookmark the series page and listen to the podcast.

An excerpt about why in Vermont, Ethan Allen's Green Mountain Boys settled in the Champlain Islands:

(McHugh)"This is why they're called the Heroes, because Vermont used the lands on the islands as payment to the Revolutionary War soldiers for their fighting in the war."

(Charnoff) According to historian Will Randall, one of Ethan Allen's major contributions was to make Vermont the first place to host free trade; Allen began a trading partnership with Canada that continues to this day.