Visit your hometown like a tourist! Living on the east coast has advantages; we do have loads of history! We just visited Rock Hall and Chestertown, Md. Both Rock Hall and Chestertown have museums. Really! (I was surprised, too.). Chestertown (founded 1706) and Washington College (founded in 1782 and located in Chestertown) have loads of history. I bet your hometown does, too!
Make your hometown a history, unit study. Read Hometown History: The Story of Ft. Herrick for inspiration. When was your town founded? Who were the founders? Why did they choose the name of the town? What are major events in the town’s history? How is the town renowned? For example, Dean Martin was born in Steubenville, Ohio, also home to Franciscan University of Steubenville, my son’s alma mater. (Not that I’m biased.) Does your town have a historic district? Does it have distinctive architecture? Did the town take part in any war. For example, Winchester, VA changed hands 72 times during the Civil War. (Yes, that number is highly debated.) Kings Mountain SC was the site of an important Revolutionary War battle. (I had had no idea until we visited Kings Mountain. It’s beautiful!). Freeland MI had Camp Freeland , which held prisoners of war during WWII.
Here is one town history guide. Add maps, photos, brochures, etc. Work together as a family. When our family first moved to Winchester, VA, we visited major historic sites: Stonewall Jackson’s Headquarters, Winchester National Cemetery, George Washington’s Office, and a host of sites, especially Old Town Winchester. We used to show visiting friends the Canon Ball House or Handley Library. So much history! Think how much your family will learn!
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