Walking Through History

War has shaped the story of America, from the early battles for independence to the global conflicts of the 20th century. Set aside the textbook, and journey to sites and museums where students can experience the stories—not just of battles and victories but also of the tough decisions, sacrifices, and struggles that have shaped the country.

The American Battlefield Trust is a terrific foundation for educators. With pretrip lesson plans and resources to help your students make the most of their time “in the field,” the professional development offered here helps group leaders elevate their craft and prepare to engage and inspire students.

MIDWEST

Kick off a Midwestern itinerary with a visit to Fort Meigs Historic Site in Perrysburg, Ohio. Now an open-air museum, this 10-acre reconstructed fort and battlefield will take your students back to the War of 1812. Learn about the two sieges that happened at the fort and the day-to-day goings-on of soldiers and militiamen of the early 19th century. The fort is open April through October, and groups can choose to participate in both guided and self-guided tours. Historical interpreters dressed in period clothing are on-site to provide reenactments, discuss the history of the fort, and answer questions. Group rates are available, and teachers are admitted for free.

In Fort Erie, Ontario, Old Fort Erie stands as another War of 1812 National Historic Site. Daily tours, musket demonstrations, a “Speaker Series,” and annual special events like a reenactment of the Siege of Old Fort Erie make every visit immersive, educational, and fun. Tours are led by costumed British, American, and First Nations soldiers. Before playing its role as Canada’s “bloodiest battlefield” in the War of 1812, the site also was used as a supply base for British troops during the American Revolutionary War.

NORTHEAST

Before heading out to battlefields and historic forts in the Northeast, one of the best overviews of America’s military past can be found at the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. The permanent exhibition, “The Price of Freedom: Americans at War,” offers a sweeping narrative of America’s military history from the Colonial era to the present.

Here, students can see firsthand relics that humanize the vast sweep of history. Importantly, the exhibition doesn’t just highlight battles—it shows how war has affected American politics, society, and families at every level. Don’t miss the exhibit featuring the actual “Star-Spangled Banner” that inspired our national anthem at the heart of the museum. With this foundation, students can hit the road better equipped to understand the sites that shaped the nation.

When British forces attacked Baltimore in 1814, it was Maryland’s Fort McHenry that stood firm—and inspired Francis Scott Key to write “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Today, visiting Fort McHenry feels like stepping onto the pages of early American resilience. Students can explore the historic ramparts, view a replica of the huge flag that flew during the bombardment, and even participate in daily flag changing ceremonies. The site brings to life a moment when the young nation’s survival was anything but certain.

No war left a deeper scar on America than the Civil War. Perhaps no American battle!eld is more famous than Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania. This massive battlefield park covers the site of the three-day battle that turned the tide of the Civil War. Students can tour the grounds by foot, car, or bike; stand at Little Round Top; and visit the Gettysburg National Cemetery, where Abraham Lincoln delivered his “Gettysburg Address.”

Beyond the Battle Museum tells the remarkable story of Gettysburg civilians and their extraordinary experiences before, during, and after the Civil War. Twelve interactive exhibit galleries are packed with rare artifacts. Don’t miss “Caught in the Crossfire,” the museum’s premier exhibit. “Crossfire” is an immersive experience that uses cutting-edge technology to place students inside a reconstructed farmhouse during the battle.

Beyond Gettysburg, other Civil War sites like Antietam National Battlefield in Maryland, where the bloodiest single day in American military history unfolded, offer critical insights into the scale and human cost of the conflict. Ranger-led programs and discussions provide insights into the battle and its historical context.

SOUTHEAST

At Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, students can visit the site where the Civil War officially began. The fort, reachable by boat, offers a tangible connection to the conflict’s explosive start. While exploring the site, engage with park rangers and programs that place students in the shoes of soldiers of the past.

The National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri, brings the world’s most comprehensive WWI collection to life with powerful interactive exhibits. Students cross a glass bridge over 9,000 red poppies before exploring the main gallery’s touch tables on wartime technology. They can walk through re-created trenches, experience the sights and sounds of battle in a simulated artillery crater, and step inside a WWI field hospital. Updated theaters and immersive displays throughout the museum offer a vivid, hands-on journey into the realities of the Great War.

When it comes to World War II, no site in America matches the immersive experience of The National WWII Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana. The seven-pavilion campus is dedicated to telling the story of the American experience in the war, from the beaches of Normandy and the Pacific theater to the American home front. Students can speak with WWII veterans via AI-enabled exhibits, walk through re-created war zones, and even experience a 4D cinematic journey called “Beyond All Boundaries,” narrated by Tom Hanks.

It’s a museum that doesn’t just teach—it immerses, helping young visitors understand not only the scale of the conflict but also the human spirit that endured throughout it.

WEST

Learning about wartime history also means confronting some of the hardest chapters in America’s story. It’s important that students see not just victories but also the consequences of fear, prejudice, and injustice.

America’s wars against Indigenous peoples as the nation expanded west in the 19th century is a vital story to explore. At the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument in Montana, students can stand where Lakota Sioux and Cheyenne warriors defeated Lt. Col. George Custer’s forces in 1876. Interpretive trails and a powerful Indian Memorial honor the lives lost, offering a broader understanding of the struggles over land and sovereignty.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, fear gripped the country—and more than 110,000 Japanese Americans were forcibly relocated to internment camps. One of the most significant sites preserving this history is Manzanar, located in California’s Owens Valley. The reconstructed barracks and exhibits help students imagine what life was like for families stripped of their homes, dignity, and freedom, simply because of their ancestry. Manzanar challenges visitors to reflect on constitutional rights, civil liberties, and national security—questions that remain relevant and urgent today.

A visit to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, brings home the reality of the moment that pulled the United States into WWII. Students can board the USS Arizona Memorial, which floats above the sunken battleship where more than 1,100 sailors and Marines lost their lives. The site’s exhibits and film presentations convey the shock, loss, and national unity that followed Dec. 7, 1941. Other historic ships at the site, such as the USS Missouri (aboard which Japan later formally surrendered), round out the story of America’s entry into WWII and its role in ending the global conflict.

Understanding the past empowers students to become thoughtful stewards of the future. From the early cannon blasts at Fort McHenry to the reflective silence at Pearl Harbor and the museums that interpret America’s role in global conflicts, these places do more than recount victories; they prompt important conversations about freedom, sacrifice, leadership, and the meaning of citizenship.

By Michael C. McLaughlin

Main Image: National WWI Museum and Memorial, Kansas City, Missouri; Credit: World War I Memorial