National Trust's 2008 Destinations
Five of the Preservation Honorees are in Southern States
Aiken SC, Apalachicola FL, Columbus MS, Fort Davis TX and Wilmington NC are named by the National Trust of Historic Preservation as 2008's Dozen Distinctive Destinations.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation 2008's list for Dozen Distinction Destinations features five honored communities from southern states.
“These twelve communities represent the richness and diversity of America’s cultural heritage,” says Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, “and in preserving their historic fabric and spirit of place are models for other towns and cities.”
Here are some reasons to explore these thriving destinations soon,
Many think of golf first when the city, on the banks of the Savannah River, is mentioned. But there is so much more. Journey back to the days of the Civil War when in 1865 Gen. William T. Sherman took his Union troops across the South in a "March to the Sea". Aiken was the site of a huge battle and is reenacted annually. February 23-24, 2008 is the dates for this year.
Also in Aiken you can find wineries, one of this country's the last operating drive-in movie theatres, and the Silver Bluff Audubon Center.
Upon Florida's Emerald Coast of the northwest region of the Gulf of Mexico Apalachicola rests as a testament to the past and a harbinger for Florida's future. With a history rich in early 19th century trade as a cotton port, Apalachicola has retained the charm of her 19th century maritime past.
Many area boats and sailing ships are available for scheduled tours and charters, and on land museums on history and nature prevail. The Crooked River Lighthouse has been famed for over 100 years. During WWII amphibious divers were trained at Camp Gordon Johnston, and a Museum now honors them and as the nation's 2nd largest facility the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve continues to herald the importance of the coastlines and our role to keep it clean.
Here hometown playwright Tennessee Williams, author of "A Streetcar Named Desire", "The Glass Menagerie" and other great American dramas is honored with a visitor center set at his original home.
The "W" stands for Mississippi University for Women. Located in the heart of the city, 20 of its buildings on campus are also registered with the National Trust. A thriving African American historical tour can be discovered at places like Catfish Alley, the Haven (a home built by free men in the 1840's) and the inspirational Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church.
She was never an Eastern sissy - this encampment in West Texas. Instead Fort Davis possesses a rough and tumble past, complete with Comanche and Apache Native Americans, Confederate troops and which then became gentrified with the arrival on moneyed Gulf Coast and oil tourists during the latter 19th and early 20th centuries.
As always the nearby Davis Mountains continues to draw visitors year round.
Near where the Cape Fear River begins it convergence into the Atlantic sits the genteel city of Wilmington. Her four centuries of exciting history can be easily found at historic homes like the 18th century Burgwin Wright Museum or Italianate designed Latimer House. Rural life and peanut growing is appreciated at nearby Poplar Grove Plantation. Riches of her railroad past can still be experienced at the Wilmington Railroad Museum. The biggest attraction is the USS North Carolina - the most decorated ship of WWII. There is even a riverboat ride aboard the Henrietta II. For a quick tour - visit the Cape Fear Museum of History.
