African Burial Ground National Monument

In early America a multitude of wealthy business men decided to acquire an inexpensive workforce in order to maximize their profits on exports.

Slavery began as an economic practicality for those who were willing to exploit others. Owning more slaves meant ...

Jefferson Memorial

The National Mall in Washington, D.C. is home to many memorials that honor significant people and events of American history. Overlooking the mall stands the looming Jefferson Memorial. Dedicated on April 13, 1943, the memorial is a tribute to Thomas ...

Fort Wagner

One often overlooked Civil War site is Morris Island, location of the former Confederate battery Fort Wagner. Built after the start of the war, Fort Wagner aided Fort Sumter in protecting Charleston, South Carolina from invading Union forces during the ...

National Historic Landmark - Virginia State (Confederate) Capitol

Designed by Thomas Jefferson and noted French architect Louis Clerisseau, this Greek Revival building served as the State Capitol for 70 years until Virginia seceded from the Union. From July 1861 to April 1865, the Confederate Congress met here. With ...

National Historic Landmark - Cedar Creek Battlefield & Belle Grove Plantation

General Philip Sheridan defeated Confederate General Jubal Early at Cedar Creek on October 19, 1864, climaxing the struggle for the Shenandoah Valley. Belle Grove, built by James Madison's brother-in-law Isaac Hite, Jr. between 1794-1797 as the center of his 7.500 ...

National Historic Landmark - Ball's Bluff Battlefield & National Cemetery

In October 1861, to quiet his critics, Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan ordered Union troops stationed along the Potomac between Edwards Ferry and Harper's Ferry to make "a slight demonstration" and draw out the Confederate force based in Leesburg. The ...

National Historic Landmark - Lightship No. 83 RELIEF

Known by her last official designation, "Relief," NO. 83 was built (1905) to serve as one of the first four lightships on the Pacific coast. She served to guide mariners to three major ports--Eureka on Humboldt Bay, San Francisco, and ...

National Historic Landmark - Fort Worden

A fortification which well illustrates the Endicott system of coastal defenses constructed in the 1890s and early 1900s. This fort, one of the largest posts in the new system, is a rare example of an unaltered Endicott installation.

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National Historic Landmark - Fort Nisqually Granary

The fort was the first permanent Anglo-American settlement on Puget Sound, serving as a communications and supply center for other trading posts. The fort's one-story granary, built in 1843 of log construction, and the Factor's House are the only surviving ...

National Historic Landmark - Tacoma (Fireboat No. 1)

FIREBOAT NO. 1, built (1929) and operated only on Puget Sound, is representative of most fireboats built prior to the Second World War throughout the U.S. One of ten fireboats greater than 50 years of age left in the U.S. ...