Things to do / Travel Guide
There is a tremendous amount of history in the southern Appalachian Mountains. There are historic towns and cities, battle sites from the Civil War, and preserved homesteads last inhabited in the late 19th century. Thomas Jefferson himself makes an important appearance in and around Charlottesville, Virginia.
The Civil War and the Shenandoah Valley
The Shenandoah was strategically important going back to the Revolutionary War, for being the breadbasket of the entire mid-Atlantic section of the continent. Stonewall Jackson, the great Virginian general, presciently proclaimed that “If this Valley is lost, Virginia is lost.” Both the South and the North recognized the importance of western Virginia, and many a time the sides sought to settle its command.
The biggest battles occurred in spring 1862 and the warmer months of 1864. Stonewall Jackson's victories for the South in 1862 were nothing short of brilliant and were very successful, while the North were nevertheless carrying the day by the beginning of winter, 1864. To mark Stonewall Jackson's biggest victory, there is a monument and museum at New Market, along I-81.
The most important site connected with the Civil War is Appomattox Court House, where Robert E. Lee surrendered his forces to U.S. Grant on April 9th, 1865, effectively ending the war. Today there's a museum there, along with a number of artifacts such as uniforms and weaponry.
Take note: The name of the town in which the surrender took place was actually called “Appomattox Court House.” The two generals met at the home of one Wilmer McLean, two miles north of the town. Today the McLean House is where the museum and the artifacts are located.
The story of the McLean House is an interesting one, too. After the war it fell out of the control of the McLeans, and was eventually dismantled in the 1890s to be brought to Washington DC as an attraction. It never made it to Washington, though, and in 1950 it was reassembled in its old location and made the museum. In the interim period the dismantled house was vandalized, and the site became overgrown with weeds and was nearly forgotten.
Charlottesville and Jefferson's Monticello
Charlottesville is a history-buff's dream - this is Epcot Center for the history-minded. The downtown area is filled with historic buildings - this one's where Poe resided, here's where Faulkner stayed, etc. It all comes together at Court Square, where the Albemarle County Court House is located. It's the same building (save for the Civil War-era portico and façade) as when the three greats of Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe congregated together to discuss the important pursuits of politics and gardening.
Another prominent meeting place for Presidents 3, 4, and 5 was Michie Tavern, founded in 1784. Today, historic artifacts are presented, along with living history attractions. And you can get an 18th century-style bite to eat at the Tavern's restaurant, The Ordinary (don't worry the food's fresh though).
James Madison and James Monroe also had their houses in the area - Montpelier and Ash Lawn respectively - but it's Jefferson whose estate outshines the rest. This is Monticello, which is almost as famous as the man himself. You might recognize it from the back of the 5-cent coin or $2 bill. You take a shuttle from the base of the estate to the top of the mountain, where a tour is given of the mansion, and of the surrounding buildings and gardens.
Jefferson designed the house as an expression of the Palladian ideal, and he subsequently incorporated details inspired by ruins he visited on his European trips. The dome especially is reminiscent of Greek temples. The estate was named a World Heritage Site in 1987, a distinction it shares with the nearby University of Virginia.
Jefferson also played an important part in the founding and design of the University of Virginia - the core area that he personally designed, in 1819, is called the Academic Village. The heart of the pavilions and student study rooms is the Rotunda, inspired directly by Rome's Pantheon. The original burnt to the ground in 1895, but it was rebuilt soon after.
Asheville Historical Attractions
Asheville boasts a number of historical districts, its glory days crescendoing with the Roaring Twenties. Indeed, Asheville used to be a powerhouse of industry, learning, business, and fashion. A number of historical districts dot the landscape; these include:
- Chestnut Hill - This residential neighborhood dates to the turn of the 20th century. It was inhabited by not just the upper classes - the lower classes were also able to afford housing in the area.
- Montford - This is a specifically middle-class neighborhood, but with a wealth of architectural styles.
- Downtown Asheville - There are lots of old and beautiful churches downtown, and the county courthouse and city hall are also interesting from a historical perspective.
Biltmore Estate
Asheville's tour de force when it comes to historical edifices, and an architectural wonder, is Biltmore Estate. It's located south of Asheville, off McDowell Street. What's the story? George Washington Vanderbilt II wanted a stately residence of his own, after his other siblings had already built theirs. So he planned his to be bigger and badder than the rest: It is a wonder to behold, it gets a million visitors a year, and - it being still owned by Vanderbilt's descendents - it's the largest privately-owned estate in the country.
Much of the estate is open to the public in the form of museums illustrating Gilded Age-living. You can see the antiquated bowling alley and exercise room, the 19th century elevators - and lots of gold. Most of the furnishings are the originals, as well as the art coming from masters of the 19th century. Check out how the maids and butlers lived, how the kitchen worked, and the estate in general.
Historical Attractions in Cades Cove
Deep in the land of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, there is one vast and especially-fertile valley. It's on the western Tennessee side. When they created the park, the inhabitants of the valley, called Cades Cove, were made to vacate, somewhat forcibly. European settlers had lived in the valley since the early 19th century, and they weren't happy to leave. Most of the buildings were destroyed, save for the older structures more representative of old Appalachia.
Nowadays, Cades Cove is one of the park's most visited attractions. This tract of land still contains a dozen or so buildings, like houses and barns. You can see them by taking the Cades Cove Loop Road. Some highlights include:
- the John Oliver Cabin, which was the first permanent dwelling in Cades Cove, built in 1823
- the Primitive Baptist Church, built in 1887; “Primitive” here means an attempt to get back the original meaning of Scriptures
- the Becky Cable House, a two-story frame house; nearby the house is a grist mill, and surrounding this are a barn, a carriage house, and more farm structures
- the Tipton Place includes many of the same types of structures found at the Cable House; the double-cantilever barn is something special
Pendleton, South Carolina Historic Attractions
The southern periphery of the southern Appalachian Mountains reaches the town of Pendleton, South Carolina. The town is in the northwest tip of the state, just north of I-85. This was a summer retreat town, with many members of the South Carolina gentry making the trek every summer from their winter homes in the Low Country.
The entire town of Pendleton is an historic district, the houses dating to the late 18th and the 19th centuries. Over here is an Episcopal church dating to 1822, over there is Fort Hill Plantation House, belonging to John C. Calhoun, on the campus of Clemson University. Also near the town are several other plantations open to the public and serving as museums.
Historical Sites in Roanoke, Asheville, Smoky, Blue Ridge, Shenandoah and Southern Appalachian Mountains
Historical-Sites
|
|
|