Contents
Contents
We are fortunate in America that a great number of historic American Revolution battlefields, forts, and artifacts are preserved or restored and available to view by the public.
You can also visit many of the historic homes of famous Patriots to learn more about their life and achievements.
Below, we’ve documented the best Revolutionary War sites you can visit right now, including battlefields, forts, historic buildings, museums, art galleries, and more.
Battlefields
1. Minute Man National Historical Park (Concord, MA)
With over 900 acres, the Minute Man Historical Park traces the route originally taken by the British Regulars from Lexington to Concord. Includes the Minute Man Visitor Center, North Bridge Visitor Center, Hartwell Tavern, and the five-mile Battle Road Trail.
2. Lexington Battle Green (Lexington, MA)
Located across from the Lexington Visitors Center, this is the site of the opening shots of the Revolution; includes a monument that stands atop and honors seven of the minutemen who were killed on the Battle Green (19-Apr-1775) after the “shot heard ‘round the world.”
3. Alamance Battleground State Historic Site (Burlington, NC)
Fought in 1771, the Battle of Alamance was a precursor of the Revolution. The site includes a nature trail, monument, and a 1780 house that has been restored.
4. Moores Creek National Battlefield (Currie, NC)
This 86-acre park commemorates the 1776 victory of Patriots against Loyalists; includes a one-mile history trail.
5. Guilford Courthouse National Military Park (Greensboro, NC)
The 220-acre park commemorates the 1781 battle between British and Americans, led by General Nathanael Greene; includes 28 monuments.
6. Monmouth Battlefield State Park (Manalapan, NJ)
Marks the site of the 1778 Battle of Monmouth; includes hiking and horseback riding trails and two houses from the period.
7. Princeton Battlefield State Park (Princeton, NJ)
This National Historic Landmark covers 85 acres; includes the Clarke House Museum and adjacent trails.
8. Bennington Battlefield State Historic Site (Hoosick Falls, NY)
Site of the 1777 battle, the 276 acres includes interpretive panels, an information room, and game fields.
9. Oriskany Battlefield State Historic Site (Oriskany, NY)
Commemorating the battle fought in 1777, the battlefield includes a visitor’s center and self-guided paths.
10. Saratoga National Historical Park (Stillwater, NY)
Covering more than 3,500 acres, the park includes the 1777 battlefield, the Saratoga Monument, and the Schuyler House. Also includes a visitor’s center.
11. Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site (Stony Point, NY)
Site of the victorious 1779 battle led by American General Anthony Wayne, the 87 acres include an earthen fort and a visitor’s center with a museum.
12. Brandywine Battlefield Park (Chadds Ford, PA)
Site of the 1777 battle, which was the largest of the war; has a visitor center with a museum; also includes the houses that provided separate headquarters for Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette.
13. Kings Mountain National Military Park (Blacksburg, SC)
This 3,945 acre park commemorates the 1780 battle between colonialists — Patriot vs. Loyalist with no British involved.
14. Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site (Camden, SC)
The 107-acre site includes the town of 18th century Camden, the Joseph Kershaw mansion — headquarters for Lord Cornwallis — and more. Fourteen battles of the Revolution were fought in the area.
15. Cowpens National Battlefield (Chesnee, SC)
A pasturing area at the time of the battle, the site covers 845 acres and is preserved to its 1781 appearance.
16. Ninety Six National Historic Site (Ninety Six, SC)
Commemorates two Revolutionary War battles and includes the original 1781 Star Fort, historic roads, the original town sites of Ninety Six & Cambridge, the reconstructed Stockade Fort, and siege trenches.
17. Colonial National Historical Park (Yorktown, VA)
Marks the site of the last major battle of the American Revolution. Visitors can explore the battlefield, historical homes, and a museum with Revolutionary War artifacts. The park also includes scenic drives and walking trails.
18. Hubbardton Battlefield State Historic Site (Hubbardton, VT)
The scene of the only Revolutionary War battle fought in Vermont. This site offers a museum with exhibits about the battle and a scenic, historic landscape for exploration. Visitors can walk along trails that traverse the battlefield.
Forts & encampments
1. Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park (Groton, CT)
This is a significant Revolutionary War site where the Battle of Groton Heights took place in 1781. Today, visitors can explore the well-preserved earthwork fortifications, the Groton Monument, and a restored Revolutionary War-era house. The park offers interpretive trails and scenic views of the Thames River.
2. Fort Morris State Historic Site (Midway, GA)
Earthwork fortification; building started in 1776 and it fell to the British in 1779. There is also a museum on-site.
3. Cambridge Common (Cambridge, MA)
The 16-acre Common is about a quarter of the original size; it was the main camp and training ground for the Continental Army and the location where Washington assumed command in 1775.
4. Fort Frederick State Park (Big Pool, MD)
Home to a unique stone fort built during the French and Indian War, which was used as a prisoner of war camp for British and German soldiers. Today, visitors can explore the well-preserved fort, participate in living history demonstrations, and enjoy recreational activities like hiking and camping.
5. Colonial Pemaquid State Historic Site (Bristol, ME)
Includes unearthed remnants of Fort William Henry and Fort Frederick.
6. Fort George (Castine, ME)
A historic site that marks the location of a British fortification built during the American Revolution. It was the last British fort surrendered in the United States following the war. Today, visitors can explore the remains of the earthworks and fortifications, offering a tangible link to the town’s strategic role in the Revolutionary War.
7. Fort Constitution (New Castle, NH)
Originally named Fort William and Mary, colonists captured this site on 14 December 1774 in one of the first overt acts against England.
8. Fort Stark Historic Site (New Castle, NH)
Overlooking the Piscataqua River, Little Harbor, and the Atlantic Ocean, Fort Stark was named in honor of General John Stark, commander of New Hampshire forces at the Battle of Bennington (1777).
9. Fort Lee Historic Park (Fort Lee, NJ)
Built in 1776 and originally called Fort Constitution, Fort Lee stood opposite Fort Washington on the Hudson River. The park includes reconstructed huts, reproduction gun batteries, a visitor center, and fine views of the Hudson and Manhattan.
10. Morristown National Historical Park (Morristown, NJ)
The park preserves 1,700 acres that the Continental Army occupied from 1779 to 1780. There are over 27 miles of hiking trails as well as houses used as military headquarters by Washington and General Arthur St. Clair; includes library and archives.
11. US Military Academy at West Point (Highland Falls, NY)
Established as a Military Academy in 1802, the West Point highlands were fortified during the war with forts, redoubts, and a protective Great Chain that stretched across the Hudson River. Contains historic sites and monuments pertaining to the Revolution.
12. Fort Stanwix National Monument (Rome, NY)
Built by the British in 1758, it went from American to British to American hands again during the war. The fort is almost completely reconstructed and includes an extensive archaeological collection, visitor’s center, and trails.
13. Fort Ticonderoga (Ticonderoga, NY)
Built by the French from 1755-59 as Fort Carillon, it was taken by the British in 1759 and renamed. During the war, the fort went from British to American to British and to American control again. Reconstruction began in 1908.
14. New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site (Vails Gate, NY)
Preserves 120 acres of the original 1,600-acre encampment for some 7,500 American troops from 1782-83, as the war was winding down. The site includes a recreated camp, chapel, and living history demonstrations.
15. Constitution Island (West Point, NY)
The site of the unfinished Fort Constitution, which was destroyed by the British in 1777, the island sits across the Hudson River from West Point. Some fortifications are still standing and are available for guided tours.
16. Fort Washington State Park (Fort Washington, PA)
Site of the temporary fort and encampment for the Continental Army in late 1777; offers picnicking, fishing, biking, and 3.5 miles of trails.
17. Fort Mifflin (Philadelphia, PA)
Originally called Fort Island Battery, it was built by the British in 1771 on the Delaware River; in 1777 colonials held the Fort for five weeks against a British siege. Includes 14 restored buildings, weapons demonstrations, and cannon firings.
18. Valley Forge National Historical Park (Philadelphia, PA)
Site of the six-month Continental Army encampment from 1776-77, during which soldiers starved, froze, and died; includes visitor center, living history reenactments, and 3,500 acres for biking and hiking.
19. Fort Butts (Portsmouth, RI)
The earthwork redoubt is still discernible, it was a key position during the Battle of Rhode Island (1778), and provides a panoramic view of Mt. Hope Bay.
20. Mount Independence State Historic Site (Orwell, VT)
Remnants of a fort and the most important Revolutionary War site in Vermont. Originally connected to Fort Ticonderoga by a floating bridge.
Museums & historical buildings
1. Nathan Hale Homestead Museum (Coventry, CT)
The homestead features a beautifully preserved 18th-century house, surrounded by 400 acres of picturesque farmland and forest, offering insights into colonial life and Hale family history. Visitors can tour the house and enjoy various educational programs and seasonal events.
2. Nathan Hale Schoolhouse (New London, CT)
Where Nathan Hale, the celebrated American patriot, taught before joining the Revolutionary War. This historic site includes a carefully preserved schoolhouse, offering a glimpse into colonial education and Hale’s early life.
3. Shaw Mansion (New London, CT)
Served as the naval office for Connecticut during the Revolutionary War. Today, it houses the New London County Historical Society and offers a rich collection of artifacts and documents. Visitors can tour the mansion, experiencing its historical architecture and learning about the region’s naval history.
4. General William Hart House (Old Saybrook, CT)
Built in 1767 and restored to its original condition, this is the Old Saybrook Historical Society’s museum and headquarters.
5. Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum (Wethersfield, CT)
Three separate homes comprising a single museum, including the homes of Silas Deane, a member of the Continental Congress, and Joseph Webb. Washington and Rochambeau met there to lay out strategy.
6. Daughters of the American Revolution Museum (Washington, DC)
Houses several hundred thousand books, historical documents, and manuscripts, as well as genealogical material.
7. National Museum of American History (Washington, DC)
Houses a large collection of artifacts from the Revolution.
8. John Dickinson Plantation (Dover, DE)
The childhood home of John Dickinson, known as the “Penman of the Revolution” for his writings supporting American independence. The plantation features a restored 18th-century house, outbuildings, and log’d dwelling, offering a window into the life and times of Dickinson and colonial Delaware.
9. Savannah History Museum (Savannah, GA)
Located in the historic Central of Georgia Railway train shed, this museum showcases the city’s rich history from its founding in 1733 to the present day. It includes exhibits on the Revolutionary War, highlighting Savannah’s role in the conflict. Visitors can explore a variety of artifacts and interactive exhibits, and learn about Savannah’s diverse history, including its colonial past, the American Revolution, and the city’s development over the centuries.
10. Longfellow National Historic Site (Cambridge, MA)
Built in 1759 by British Major John Vassal, the house on the grounds is formally called the Vassal-Craigie-Longfellow House. It served as the headquarters for Washington for nine months during the 1775-76 siege of Boston.
11. Concord Museum (Concord, MA)
The Museum displays Americana from the 17th through the 19th centuries; includes Revolutionary War powder horns, muskets, cannonballs, and fifes.
12. Buckman Tavern (Lexington, MA)
In the early hours before the 1775 Battle of Lexington, 80 militiamen waited at Buckman Tavern for the British Regulars. Built in about 1709, the tavern now functions as a historical museum.
13. Hancock-Clarke House (Lexington, MA)
Completed in 1737 by John Hancock’s grandfather, the house is now a museum. On the night of Paul Revere’s April 1775 ride, John Hancock and Samuel Adams were awakened there with news of the advancing British troops.
14. Munroe Tavern (Lexington, MA)
Used as a temporary British field hospital during the Battles of Lexington and Concord, this 18th-century building is now a museum showcasing artifacts from the Revolutionary War and providing historical context about the area’s involvement in the conflict.
15. Royall House and Slave Quarters (Medford, MA)
Completed by Isaac Royall in 1739, the quarters are an expansion of an older brick house, and are considered one of the finest 18th-century buildings in New England. The Slave Quarters is the only such structure in the northern US.
16. Adams National Historical Park (Quincy, MA)
Commemorates the contributions of the Adams family to the new republic. Includes the birthplaces of John and John Quincy Adams as well as the family home, Peacefield.
17. Peabody Essex Museum (Salem, MA)
Contains one of the most important collections of Revolutionary War memorabilia; includes ship models, relics, uniforms, and portraits.
18. Charles Carroll House (Annapolis, MD)
Charles Carroll of Carrollton was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. The house was begun in 1725 by his father and expanded several times through 1790.
19. Hammond-Harwood House (Annapolis, MD)
A fine example of colonial architecture, often regarded as one of the most beautiful colonial homes in America. Built in 1774, it showcases a remarkable collection of colonial furniture and art. The house offers guided tours, allowing visitors to explore its elegant rooms and learn about the lifestyles of the wealthy in pre-Revolutionary America.
20. William Paca House and Garden (Annapolis, MD)
Built 1763-65 by William Paca, lawyer, patriot, and delegate to Continental Congress. The 37-room house has been restored to its eighteenth-century appearance.
21. Thomas Stone National Historic Site (Port Tobacco, MD)
Five-part mansion completed in 1773 called Haberdeventure. Thomas Stone was a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
22. Montpelier – The General Henry Knox Museum (Thomaston, ME)
Built in 1794, Montpelier was constructed as the retirement home of Henry and Lucy Knox, and was in use by the family until 1854; it was razed in 1871. The current Montpelier is a recreation built in 1930 and includes some of Knox’s personal effects.
23. Sayward-Wheeler House (York Harbor, ME)
Well-preserved home of Jonathan Sayward, a merchant and a loyalist, originally built in 1718 and later enlarged.
24. Tannenbaum Historic Park (Greensboro, NC)
Features exhibits depicting life before, during, and after the 1781 Battle of Guilford Courthouse.
25. Halifax State Historic Site (Halifax, NC)
Founded in 1760, Historic Halifax is a restored village. In April 1776, representatives from the state gathered in Halifax to declare that North Carolina’s delegates to the Continental Congress were empowered to declare independence from Britain. It was the first colony to do so.
26. Tryon Palace Historic Sites and Gardens (New Bern, NC)
This Georgian mansion was completed in 1770 as a residence for British Royal Governor William Tryon; it was also the meeting place for the colonial Assembly and the first capitol of North Carolina.
27. Burgwin-Wright Museum House (Wilmington, NC)
Built in 1770 by John Burgwin, who was the colonial treasurer under the Royal Governor. General Lord Cornwallis rested here in 1781 before his march to Yorktown.
28. American Independence Museum (Exeter, NH)
The museum focuses on the Revolution, colonial life, and the Ladd, Gilman, and Folsom families.
29. Governor John Langdon House (New Castle, NH)
Built in 1783 for Major John Langdon — merchant, shipbuilder, representative to Continental Congress, and Governor of New Hampshire.
30. Moffatt-Ladd House and Garden (Portsmouth, NH)
Georgian Mansion built 1760-63 by merchant John Moffatt; General William Whipple lived there during the war with his wife Katherine.
31. Strawbery Banke Museum (Portsmouth, NH)
Living history museum dedicated to recreating colonial and early American life.
32. Bainbridge House (Princeton, NJ)
Headquarters for the Historical Society of Princeton, the house was built in 1766 and is largely preserved in its original condition; includes a museum and library.
33. Morven Museum & Garden (Princeton, NJ)
Morven dates from the 1750s and was the home of Richard Stockton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. It served as the New Jersey Governor’s Mansion; its restoration and conversion to a museum were completed in 2004.
34. Rockingham State Historic Site (Princeton, NJ)
George and Martha Washington rented this substantial farmhouse in 1783 while waiting for the treaty with Britain; includes period furnishings and a Children’s Museum.
35. Steuben House (River Edge, NJ)
Presented to Baron von Steuben, Inspector General, in 1783 by the state of New Jersey for his services during the war; includes a fine collection of period furnishings.
36. Wallace House (Somerville, NJ)
Completed in 1776 as Hope Farm for John Wallace, a successful Philadelphia merchant; Washington leased the house for six months in 1778-79. It is a fine example of Georgian architecture with period pieces.
37. Old Barracks Museum (Trenton, NJ)
Built in 1758 for use by British and Irish soldiers during the French and Indian War, in 1776 it housed Hession troops when Washington attacked them during the 1776 Battle of Trenton.
38. Liberty Hall Museum (Union, NJ)
Built in 1772 as a 14-room Georgian-style mansion by William Livingston, the first governor of New Jersey and delegate to the Constitutional Convention.
39. Dey Mansion Museum (Wayne, NJ)
Built in the 1740s, the house served as headquarters for Washington in July 1780. It is an excellent example of Georgian architecture and includes period furnishings, gardens, and a replica blacksmith shop and plantation house.
40. Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site (Albany, NY)
The Georgian house was built on a bluff overlooking the Hudson River in 1761 and was occupied by American General Schuyler and his family until his death in 1804, available for tours.
41. Mount Gulian (Fishkill, NY)
Overlooking the Hudson River, this reconstructed house was built about 1730 by the Dutch merchant Gulian Verplanck, before it became headquarters for Baron von Steuben. The post-war Society of the Cincinnati was also founded here.
42. Van Wyck Homestead Museum (Fishkill, NY)
Built in 1732 by Dutch settlers, it was a headquarters for the Continental Army during the war; includes colonial artifacts as well as items relating to the history of Fishkill.
43. US Military Academy at West Point (Highland Falls, NY)
Established as a Military Academy in 1802, the West Point highlands were fortified during the war with forts, redoubts, and a protective Great Chain that stretched across the Hudson River. Contains historic sites and monuments pertaining to the Revolution.
44. West Point Museum (Highland Falls, NY)
The oldest and largest military museum in the country.
45. Thomas Paine Cottage (New Rochelle, NY)
The cottage was originally built on land granted by New York to Paine in 1784. It was moved to its present location, repaired, and dedicated in 1910 as a museum and historic site.
46. Thomas Paine Memorial Building (New Rochelle, NY)
Home of the Thomas Paine Historical Association, the museum and library offer a substantial collection of first editions, rare prints, and manuscripts.
47. Federal Hall National Memorial (New York, NY)
Stands on the site of the original Federal Hall, where George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States. The current building, a former Customs House, now serves as a museum and memorial to the beginnings of the United States government.
48. Fraunces Tavern Museum (New York, NY)
Originally a residence, Samuel Fraunces turned the building into a tavern in 1763. It became the setting for Washington’s farewell dinner with his officers in 1783 and is now a restaurant and museum in Manhattan’s financial district.
49. Hamilton Grange National Memorial (New York, NY)
Completed in 1802, Alexander Hamilton commissioned this Federal-style country home on 32 acres in upper Manhattan for use during the summer by his family.
50. Morris-Jumel Mansion (New York, NY)
Manhattan’s oldest existing house was built in 1756 as a summer retreat for loyalist British Lieutenant Colonel Roger Morris and his wife. It served briefly as Washington’s headquarters in 1776; includes 12 restored period rooms.
51. New York Historical Society (New York, NY)
Founded in 1804, the Historical Society is both a museum and a library, with an outstanding collection of items from the American Revolution, and the early republic.
52. Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site (Newburgh, NY)
Built sometime before 1770, this home served as headquarters for General Washington for nearly a year and a half until August 1783. Includes period furnishings, artifacts, and a museum.
53. Historical Society, Inc. of Tarrytown & Sleepy Hollow (Tarrytown, NY)
The Museum has a comprehensive display of research materials, art, and artifacts pertaining to the capture of the British Major John Andre, who was involved in Benedict Arnold’s defection.
54. Knox’s Headquarters State Historic Site (Vails Gate, NY)
Used by General Knox several times during the war, this 1754 Georgian-style house has been restored and carefully furnished in period style.
55. Skenesborough Museum (Whitehall, NY)
Created in 1959, it depicts the birth of the American Navy in 1776 at Whitehall with dioramas, models, and artifacts.
56. Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site (Yonkers, NY)
Home to loyalist Frederick Philipse III, who successfully evaded the arrest ordered by General Washington in 1776; he eventually made his way to England. Highlights of the Hall include its 18th century, high-style Georgian architecture and an impressive collection of presidential portraits, including five of Washington.
57. Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site (Elverson, PA)
Operating from 1771-1883, Hopewell Furnace supplied shot, shells, and cannon to the Continental Army; includes 14 restored buildings with hiking trails on 848 acres.
58. Hope Lodge Historic Site (Fort Washington, PA)
This Georgian-style mansion was completed by 1748. During the war it was used by the Continental Army’s Surgeon General in late 1777; includes formal garden and grounds.
59. Waynesborough Historic House (Paoli, PA)
Home to the Wayne family from 1724 to 1965, including General Anthony Wayne who led troops at the battles of Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth, and Stony Point.
60. American Philosophical Society — Library & Museum (Philadelphia, PA)
Founded in 1743 by Benjamin Franklin and John Bartram to promote “Useful Knowledge.” Philosophical Hall (1789) is now a museum featuring art, scientific instruments, rare books, original manuscripts, natural history specimens, and curiosities.
61. Benjamin Franklin National Memorial (Philadelphia, PA)
A 20-foot marble statue of Franklin greets visitors in the rotunda of The Franklin Institute Science Museum; personal possessions and inventions are on display in Memorial Hall.
62. Betsy Ross House (Philadelphia, PA)
The original structure was built about 1740, Betsy and her husband John Ross rented the house from 1773-86; includes period furniture, exhibits on the American flag, and, near the garden, the graves of husband and wife.
63. Carpenters’ Hall (Philadelphia, PA)
Completed in 1770, this Georgian building was the meeting place of the First Continental Congress in 1774.
64. Declaration House (Philadelphia, PA)
A reconstruction of the house in which Thomas Jefferson rented rooms and where, in June 1776, he wrote the Declaration of Independence.
65. Franklin Court (Philadelphia, PA)
Includes Market Street Houses, Franklin’s house — completed in 1765 and razed in 1812 and now only a suggestive steel-frame outline — and an underground museum devoted to Franklin’s life and inventions.
66. Independence Hall (Philadelphia, PA)
Site of the Second Continental Congress and the signing of the Declaration of Independence; access is available through a Park Ranger tour.
67. Liberty Bell Center (Philadelphia, PA)
Home to the iconic Liberty Bell, a symbol of American independence and freedom. The bell, famous for its crack, originally hung in the nearby Independence Hall and is said to have been used to summon citizens for the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence.
68. Museum of the American Revolution (Philadelphia, PA)
Offers a comprehensive exploration of the origins, events, and legacy of the American Revolution. It features an extensive collection of Revolutionary-era artifacts, galleries, and interactive exhibits.
69. National Constitution Center (Philadelphia, PA)
Opened in 2003, the nonprofit Center “illuminates constitutional ideals and inspires acts of citizenship” by providing a theatrical overview, multimedia history, interactive exhibits, and life-size statues of the signers of the Constitution.
70. Pine Building, Pennsylvania Hospital (Penn Medicine) (Philadelphia, PA)
Founded in 1751 by Benjamin Franklin and Dr. Thomas Bond, it was the first hospital in North America. Offers a welcome center and self-guided walking tour.
71. Cliveden (Philadelphia, PA)
Built between 1763-67, Cliveden is considered to be one of the finest colonial homes in the US. It sheltered the British during the Battle of Germantown in 1777 and still shows the scars of cannon fire.
72. Deshler-Morris House (Philadelphia, PA)
Completed in 1772, British General Sir William Howe occupied the house after the Battle of Germantown in 1777; President Washington resided there in 1793 and 1794; includes period pieces and interactive exhibits.
73. Stenton (Philadelphia, PA)
Erected 1723-30 by James Logan, secretary to William Penn, Stenton is a finely preserved Georgian home. Used by both Generals Howe and Washington at different times, it includes gardens and an elegant but simple interior.
74. Upsala (Philadelphia, PA)
This federal-style mansion, built about 1740 and enlarged in 1798, served as headquarters for the Continental Army during the Battle of Germantown in 1777; includes period furniture and artifacts on 3.5 acres.
75. Moland House (Warminster, PA)
Served as General George Washington’s headquarters in August 1777, a strategic site during the Revolutionary War. This historic home, now restored, offers visitors a glimpse into 18th-century life and the military planning of the Revolution.
76. Peter Wentz Farmstead (Philadelphia, PA)
This restored Germanic-Georgian farmhouse, dating from 1758, was Washington’s headquarters for the Battle of Germantown; includes a garden and farm animals on 97 acres.
77. General Nathanael Greene Homestead (Coventry, RI)
Built in 1770, home to the General that George Washington recommended as his replacement if he should die.
78. Colony House (Newport, RI)
A significant example of Georgian architecture which played a pivotal role in the state’s colonial and revolutionary history. Visitors can tour the building, experiencing its historical rooms and learning about its role in the founding of the United States and in the development of Rhode Island’s government.
79. Gilbert Stuart Birthplace & Museum (Saunderstown, RI)
Childhood home of Gilbert Stuart, the renowned American portraitist famous for his painting of George Washington. This 1750s-era home and snuff mill has been restored to reflect its 18th-century appearance.
80. Middleton Place (Charleston, SC)
Historic plantation known for its beautifully landscaped gardens, the oldest in America, and its connection to the Middleton family, prominent in the American Revolution. The site includes a house museum, showcasing family furniture, silver, portraits, and documents, offering a glimpse into the lives of a wealthy plantation family.
81. Old Slave Mart Museum (Charleston, SC)
Opened in 2007, the museum offers a narrative history of slavery in the US. The building, formerly known as Ryan’s Mart, was an actual showroom where slaves were bought and sold.
82. Charles Pinckney National Historic Site (Mount Pleasant, SC)
Charles Pinckney was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a governor; the 28-acre site is just a remnant of Pinckney’s 715-acre coastal plantation, Snee Farm.
83. Gadsby’s Tavern Museum (Alexandria, VA)
Built c. 1785 with adjoining hotel built in 1792 – one of the few colonial taverns still in existence; includes operating restaurant, ballroom, and museum.
84. George Washington Masonic National Memorial (Alexandria, VA)
The 333-foot memorial, dedicated in 1932, was built by Masons to honor their fellow Mason, George Washington; includes a museum of personal artifacts.
85. Red Hill – The Patrick Henry National Memorial (Brookneal, VA)
The last home and burial place of Patrick Henry, who retired here in 1793. The extensive plantation has been reconstructed, and includes a visitor center.
86. Monticello (Charlottesville, VA)
Thomas Jefferson’s plantation and home which he designed, built, and rebuilt over 50 years.
87. George Washington’s Ferry Farm (Fredericksburg, VA)
The boyhood home of America’s first president. This historic site includes a reconstructed version of the Washington family home, based on archaeological findings, and offers insights into young George Washington’s life and the colonial world he grew up in.
88. Hugh Mercer Apothecary (Fredericksburg, VA)
Hugh Mercer was a Scottish immigrant doctor who fought and died in the Battle of Princeton (1777). The restored building provides a living history interpretation of Colonial medical practices.
89. James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library (Fredericksburg, VA)
The fifth president of the US, Monroe fought at Trenton, Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth. The museum contains personal artifacts, furnishings, and papers.
90. Kenmore Plantation (Fredericksburg, VA)
Built in the 1770s, Kenmore was the home of Fielding Lewis and his wife Betty, George Washington’s only sister. The house is considered one of the best colonial-era mansions in America.
91. Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens (Mt. Vernon, VA)
Originally a cottage built on 2,300 acres by his father, George Washington expanded both house and acres, and lived there until his death. He and First Lady, Martha, are buried on the grounds.
92. James Madison Museum (Orange, VA)
Commemorates the life and times of the founding father and fourth president; includes period furniture, personal artifacts, and papers.
93. James Madison’s Montpelier (Orange, VA)
Built c. 1764 by his father, this was James Madison’s lifelong home — which he expanded twice. Full restoration completed in 2008.
94. Virginia Historical Society (Richmond, VA)
Has an extensive collection of artifacts, documents, and exhibits that cover various aspects of Virginia’s history, including significant focus on the Revolutionary War and early American period.
95. Stratford Hall (Stratford, VA)
Built by Thomas Lee in the late 1730s, Stratford was home to five sons who served in various ways during the Revolution. The 1,900-acre site includes nature trails, a gristmill, and formal gardens.
96. Colonial Williamsburg (Williamsburg, VA)
The world’s largest living history museum, depicting life in an 18th-century American town. It includes hundreds of restored or reconstructed buildings, with costumed interpreters demonstrating daily colonial life and crafts. Visitors can engage in interactive experiences, explore historic buildings, and learn about the diverse experiences of its residents during the era of the American Revolution.
97. Yorktown Victory Center (Yorktown, VA)
A museum of the American Revolution with indoor exhibits and outdoor living history that chronicles the history of the colonies through their independence.
98. Bennington Museum (Bennington, VA)
Memorializes the Battle of Bennington (1777); includes local and military artifacts and the Bennington Flag.
99. Lake Champlain Maritime Museum (Vergennes, VT)
Dedicated to preserving the maritime history of Lake Champlain, it includes a replica of a gunboat used by Benedict Arnold.
Art galleries
1. Yale University Art Gallery (New Haven, CT)
Home to one of the finest collections of early American art anywhere, it was founded in 1832 when John Trumbull gave more than one hundred of his portraits and historical paintings to Yale. A renovation and expansion was completed in 2012.
2. National Portrait Gallery (Washington, DC)
Contains historical portraits, including works by John Trumbull, Gilbert Stuart, John Singleton Copley, Mather Brown, and others.
3. Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (Philadelphia, PA)
Founded by Charles Willson Peale, William Rush, and others in 1805, this is the oldest art museum/school in the US. Includes works by Charles Willson Peale, William Rush, Benjamin West, Rembrandt Peale, Gilbert Stuart, and Thomas Sully.
4. Second Bank of the United States (Philadelphia, PA)
Completed in 1824, used today as a portrait gallery for 185 paintings of colonial and federal leaders, many by Charles Wilson Peale.
Libraries and archives
1. Library of Congress (Washington, DC)
Established in 1800, the collection includes a recreation of Jefferson’s library of 6,487 books, which he donated in 1815. Guided and self-guided tours are available.
2. National Archives (Washington, DC)
Contains the original copy of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and more.
Statues and monuments
1. Lafayette Square (Washington, DC)
Dedicated to Marquis de Lafayette in 1824; at each corner is a statue of a foreign general who served in the war.
2. Dorchester Heights National Historic Site (Boston, MA)
The monument that stands in Dorchester Heights is dedicated to the victory of the Continental Army over the British Regulars in 1776.
3. Princeton Battle Monument (Princeton, NJ)
Dedicated in 1922, the monument commemorates the battle won by Washington on 3 January 1777.
4. Trenton Battle Monument (Trenton, NJ)
A 155-foot granite column that commemorates the 1776 Battle of Trenton; accessible using an elevator with good views of the capital of New Jersey.
5. George Washington Birthplace National Monument (Colonial Beach, VA)
Commemorates Washington’s birth at Popes Creek Plantation in 1732. The house is not original, but the cemetery holds over 30 Washingtons, including his father.
6. Bennington Battle Monument (Bennington, VT)
An obelisk marks the site where military supplies were stored and commemorates the battle that took place two miles away in New York.
Churches and cemeteries
1. Old Swedes Episcopal Church (Wilmington, DE)
Built 1768-69, it housed British soldiers after the Battle of Brandywine.
2. Midway Church and Museum (Midway, GA)
The church, originally built in 1792, and the adjacent museum offer insights into the lives of the area’s early settlers and their role in American independence. Visitors can explore the historic church, cemetery, and museum exhibits, which include artifacts and information about the influential Midway Society. The site is also the location of the graves of many Revolutionary War leaders.
3. Crypt of John Paul Jones (Annapolis, MD)
Completed in 1913, the remains of John Paul Jones are interred in a marble sarcophagus in a crypt located in the US Naval Academy Chapel.
4. St. Paul’s Chapel (New York, NY)
Completed in 1766, St. Paul’s was the place of worship for British Generals Howe and Cornwallis. As President, Washington had a pew, over which, today, is a painting of the first US Great Seal.
5. Trinity Church (New York, NY)
The Anglican parish of Trinity Church was founded in 1698 in lower Manhattan; the first church building was constructed facing Wall Street the same year. The magnificent neo-gothic structure that one sees today is the congregation’s third church; the graveyard is the burial ground for several patriots, including Alexander Hamilton.
6. Christ Church (Philadelphia, PA)
Founded in 1695, this was the first Anglican Church in Philadelphia; the current wonderfully preserved structure was built from 1727-44. Washington, Franklin, Adams, and many other Revolutionary War leaders worshipped here, and many are buried in the nearby Burial Ground.
7. Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church (Philadelphia, PA)
Completed in 1700, this is Pennsylvania’s oldest church; includes historic artifacts and a churchyard with graves of several significant patriots.
8. Old Pine Street Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, PA)
Completely redesigned since its founding in 1768, but with the original walls intact, this is remembered as the “Church of the Patriots.” It is the only remaining Colonial Presbyterian church and churchyard in America.
9. Old Presbyterian Meeting House (Alexandria, VA)
A historic church with deep roots in the early American period. It played a significant role in the community life of early Alexandria and has connections to figures like George Washington. The church still holds services, and visitors can explore its historic cemetery, which includes the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the American Revolution.
Other historical sites
1. Freedom Trail (Boston MA)
A walking tour of 16 sites in central Boston, almost all related to the Revolution, that can be completed in a day, or enjoyed more fully in two to three days.
2. Historical Edenton (Edenton, NC)
Incorporated in 1722, Edenton is North Carolina’s second oldest town. Historic Edenton, overlooking Albemarle Sound, features multiple sites for guided and self-guided tours.
3. Washington Crossing State Park (Titusville, NJ)
Commemorates the crossing of the Delaware River by Washington and his troops on Christmas 1776. Originally preserved for its historical significance, the 841-acre park is also well known for its trails and wildlife habitat.
4. Steuben Memorial State Historic Site (Remsen, NY)
Includes a replica cabin, which contains period pieces, five wooded acres, and the monument which marks Baron von Steuben’s burial spot.