As a Springfield heritage tourist it is time to consider where to visit in 2013. One state to consider which has a rich Sesquicentennial Civil War history that is just a day's drive away is Tennessee. A Google map query provides three suggested routes ranging from 286 to 344 miles, suggesting it is a five to six hour drive using 1) US 60 and 63, 2) US 65 and 64, or 3) US 65 and I-40. In each case, you will arrive via the Hernando de Soto Bridge into Memphis on I-40.
The entire State of Tennessee is included in the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area (NHA) which was approved by Congress in 1996. The NHA operates under the theme, "Telling the Whole Story of America's Greatest Challenge, 1860-1875." Check each of the red tabs at the top of the NHA link to appreciate the full breadth of this NHA story. As a partnership unit of the National Park Service, this NHA is administered by the Center for Historic Preservation at Middle Tennessee State University.
Tennessee is divided into three regions: west, middle and east, from the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park in the east to the Mississippi River in the west. Middle Tennessee is an elevated pain that surrounds the Nashville Basin. The Nashville basin is characterized by rich, fertile farm country and great diversity of natural wildlife. Nashville, of course, is well known as "Music City" as well as the home of sports teams and college and university activities.
Your biggest challenge in a visit to Tennessee is deciding how long you can stay and what you must leave for your next visit. Planning ahead will help, as always. Choose which sites to visit this time and enjoy your experience to the utmost.
******
I hope you will also subscribe to my series, above or below, as well, if you have not done so already, leave a comment, and share this article with others. You might also enjoy my blogs: Dr. Bill Tells Ancestor Stories, Dr. Bills Book Bazaar and The Homeplace Series. Visit my lenses at: Dr. Bill Tells Exciting Stories. Also see The Heritage Tourist at The In-Depth Genealogist.
Comments