Located about ninety minutes from three major metro areas--Washington, Baltimore, and Philadelphia--Gettysburg sits in the "fertile crescent," an area brimming with agricultural possibilities. Founded in the 1700s by James Gettys, the little town became headline material during the Civil War, although area residents never expected to be at the forefront of that controversy. Fate, however, had its way with the town, and Gettysburg found itself on the map permanently. When President Dwight D. Eisenhower retired here, Gettysburg became the place to visit for international tourists as well as...

Charles Town, located in the Shenandoah Valley of West Virginia, was petitioned in 1786 and founded on January 7, 1787, by Charles Washington, Georges youngest brother. Many of this historic communitys streets are named for Washington family members including Mildred and Samuel. The Jefferson County Courthouse, made famous as the location for the 1859 treason trial of the abolitionist John Brown and the 1922 Miners Trials, sits in the center of town on one of the original four lots platted by Charles for community use. Today, Charles Town retains its original small town charm while attracting...

Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, sits in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains at the confluence of two rivers, the Potomac and Shenandoah. Without the influence of John Brown and his raiders, Meriwether Lewis of Lewis and Clark fame, and Thomas Jefferson, Harpers Ferry might have remained a sleepy little village. Instead, it became a frequently contested location for troops during the Civil War and changed hands eight times. Many of the current shops and restaurants are housed in the restored original buildings, built in the 1800s. A visit to Harpers Ferry is like stepping back in time to the...