Linda A. Tancs's Blog: The Long and Short of It, page 51

A Gem in West Virginia

By Linda Tancs

The Ohio River’s most famous island is arguably Blennerhassett, a small island near Parkersburg, West Virginia, constituting Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park. It’s named for Harman and Margaret Blennerhassett, wealthy Irish aristocrats who settled there in 1789. The centerpiece is their Palladian-style mansion, a favorite attraction for over 40,000 tourists each year. In addition to tours of the mansion and its grounds, horse-drawn carriage rides are available. The ride there is almost as enchanting as the park itself because the island is accessed via a 19th-century sternwheeler riverboat departing from Point Park in Parkersburg. The park is open from May to October.

Horse-Drawn Wonders in Maryland

By Linda Tancs

Open seasonally, the Thrasher Carriage Museum in Frostburg, Maryland, offers a rare and extensive collection of horse-drawn vehicles dating to the late 1800s and early 1900s. Every walk of life is represented, including milkman carts, luxurious sleighs used by the Vanderbilt family and even President Theodore Roosevelt’s inauguration coach. The history of the vehicles is paired with docent-led discussions of the clothing, activities and lifestyles of Victorian era Americans. The array was once the private collection of James Richard Thrasher, an avid collector of goods of this kind.

The National Lighthouse Museum

By Linda Tancs

The United States Lighthouse Service’s General Depot in Staten Island, New York, was the national headquarters, testing ground and distribution center for all materials and equipment used by light keepers and USLHS personnel from 1864 to 1939. Now the foundry building on that site hosts the National Lighthouse Museum, where visitors can enjoy self-guided exhibits exploring lighthouses, their lights and lightkeepers, as well as monthly lectures and special events. This time of year (May through October) you can also enjoy a boat tour, visiting lighthouses that can’t be seen from land as well as ship graveyards and bird sanctuaries. The museum is a short walk from the Staten Island Ferry terminal.

The Palace of Depression

By Linda Tancs

As far as quirky tourist attractions go, the Palace of Depression in Vineland, New Jersey, fills the bill. As its name suggests, the structure was completed following the Great Depression triggered by the stock market crash of 1929. As the story goes, a grifter built a palatial residence out of mud, concrete and junkyard debris. After he landed in jail, the property eventually fell into disrepair and was razed by the city. Years later a group of locals decided to rebuild it consistent with old photos, using recycled materials and relying on public donations. Today’s version is a museum offering tours.

Where the Battle Wasn’t

By Linda Tancs

It’s impossible to think of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, without reflecting on the Battle of Gettysburg. Considered the most important engagement of the U.S. Civil War, it marked a turning point for Union forces and inspired President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. Given the area’s acclaim, it’s appropriate that a sister city in South Dakota adopted the moniker “Where the Battle Wasn’t.” Although you won’t find a famous battlefield there, you will find plenty of opportunities for hunting and fishing in this pea-sized town in the prairie.

The Coronation of King Charles

By Linda Tancs

The Coronation of His Majesty The King Charles III and Queen Camilla will take place at Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023, sparking a series of ceremonial, celebratory and community events that will take place over the Coronation Weekend. For instance, on May 7 a special evening Coronation Concert will be staged and broadcast live at Windsor Castle by the BBC. The highlight of the concert, Lighting up the Nation, features iconic locations across the United Kingdom being lit up using projections, lasers, drone displays and illuminations. During the day neighbors and communities are invited to share food and fun together at what’s being styled the “Coronation Big Lunch.” Monday, a Bank Holiday, is set aside for “The Big Help Out,” a day for volunteering and community service.

To the Heights in Massachusetts

By Linda Tancs

At 3,491 feet, Mount Greylock is the highest point in Massachusetts. On a clear day, you can see as far as 90 miles away. Nowadays, Mount Greylock State Reservation is bursting with spring color. Shortly, you’ll also be able to take the high road (literally) to the peak via Rockwell Road, which is open seasonally. The crowning attraction is the Veterans War Memorial Tower, a 92-foot-tall granite tower dedicated to those who served the U.S. during World War I.

An Edwardian Jewel in Surrey

By Linda Tancs

One of the National Trust’s most popular properties, Polesden Lacey is an Edwardian mansion and estate in Surrey, England. It was once the weekend retreat of Margaret Greville, who rose from humble beginnings as a brewer’s daughter to become one of the most celebrated hostesses of the Edwardian era. Her rise in society was due to her marriage to Ronald Greville, heir to a baronetcy. In addition to her discerning eye for fine art, she amassed a jewelry collection that was ultimately bequeathed to Britain’s Royal Family. This time of year the gardens are blooming with daffodils, and the vast estate offers views of Ranmore Common on the North Downs, a landscape virtually unchanged since medieval times. Join a guided tour of the house in the morning, or wander around on your own in the afternoon. The house is open from March to October.

Wandering Through Vogtland

By Linda Tancs

Panoramic views are a dime a dozen unless, of course, you find yourself on the Vogtland Panorama Weg. It’s a 139-mile circular trail in Germany that winds its way through Thuringia and Saxony, promising 82 panoramic views and 280 changes of scenery featuring ravines, meadows and endless vistas. The trail begins and ends at the Göltzsch Viaduct, the largest brick-built bridge in the world. Experienced hikers will find the marked route very manageable, with 12 daily stages up to 14 miles.

A Gem in the Chilterns

By Linda Tancs

A windmill has stood in Ivinghoe, in the Chiltern countryside, since at least 1627. That’s where you’ll find Pitstone Windmill, the oldest-dated windmill in Britain. Although no longer in use today, it’s a refurbished example of an early post mill which, unlike similar mills in East Anglia, was turned to face the wind on top of a huge wooden post using a tail pole instead of a fantail or shuttered sails. It’s part of Ashridge Estate, a 5,000-acre refuge of woodland, chalk downlands and meadows.