American Revolutionary and Civil Wars School Trip

Day 1

Flight to Washington DC, White House and Lincoln Memorial

Flight to Washington DC: On arrival you will be met by your guide and private coach and transfer into the city and your central hotel.

White House: Depending on your flight time we may have the opportunity for a drive past of Capitol Hill, the North Lawn of the White House and a short stop at the Lincoln Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Dinner this evening will be arranged in a local city restaurant.

Day 2

The Capitol Building, Library of Congress, Smithsonian Museums and Washington Monument

The Capitol Building: This morning there will be a guided tour of the United States Capitol Building, the seat of American legislature. You begin in Emancipation Hall where you learn about the history of the building, its burning by British troops in the 1812 War, and the construction of the Rotunda which took place as the Civil War was raging around the city. You then walk through the tunnel which connects the Capitol to the Library of Congress and which houses Thomas Jefferson’s Private Library.

Smithsonian Museums: After time for lunch in the Capitol visitor centre you can walk along the National Mall to visit one of the many excellent Smithsonian Museums.

Washington Monument: You conclude the day by visiting the Washington Monument, situated at the heart of the National Mall and which was built to honour America’s first president.

Day 3

Ford's Theatre, Peterson House and Arlington National Cemetery

Ford’s Theatre: This morning you visit Ford’s Theatre where President Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes-Booth at the end of the Civil War. The theatre has largely been preserved as it was on that fateful evening in April 1865. You can see the presidential box where Lincoln was sitting and also the evidence of the crime including the single shot pistol which was the murder weapon. The tour also includes a visit to the Petersen House across the street, where Lincoln died.

Arlington: In the afternoon you visit Arlington National Cemetery where the US armed forces have buried their dead since the Civil War times. A walking tour visits the most important locations, include the Gravesite of President Kennedy, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and others such as the grave of Audie Murphy, one of the most decorated US soldiers of WW2.

Day 4

American Civil War at Gettysburg, Antietam and Harpers Ferry

Gettysburg: Today will be focused on the Civil War and three key sites where events had significant historical repercussions. You begin at Gettysburg, the most celebrated of the Civil War battles and the site of Lincoln’s famous address. The battle marked the turning point when Union forces halted the Confederate advance. After Gettysburg, the War raged on for two further years but the tide had turned in the Union’s favour. You have a tour with a National Park guide and can also visit the museum and see a short film about the events of the day.

Antietam: After lunch you continue for a short visit to another key battlefield site – Antietam. The Battle of Antietam, which took place on 17 September 1862 was the bloodiest battle ever to take place on American soil with over 20,000 killed or injured.

Harpers Ferry: You conclude today with a visit to Harpers Ferry. This small and strategically important town was the scene of the abolitionist John Brown’s infamous 1859 raid on the Government arsenal. John Brown and his accomplices were captured and hanged, giving rise to the famous song which bears his name. Harpers Ferry was a key site fought over during the Civil War and changed hands between Union and Confederate forces no less than eight times.

Day 5

Fredericksburg and Colonial Williamsburg

Fredericksburg: This morning you depart from Washington and drive south to the town of Fredericksburg in Virginia. This was the site of a key Confederate victory in December 1862 and where the Union forces suffered very heavy losses when attempting to cross the Rappahannock River. Robert E. Lee’s Confederate forces continued in a seemingly inexorable march to victory until they were halted at Gettysburg. You have a Ranger-led guided tour of the Battlefield site before continuing your journey to Williamsburg.

Colonial Williamsburg: We continue to Williamsburg, founded in 1632 by early settlers when Charles I was on the English throne, and was the capital of the newly established colony of Virginia. Known as Colonial Williamsburg, the town is like an open air museum with numerous historical buildings and street re-enactions in period costume. The impressive Governor’s Palace, although built in 1934 in the colonial style, occupies the same spot as the original mansion which burnt down in the 1700’s. As well as its key position in early colonial life, Williamsburg was also at the centre of political events in the 1780’s, leading up to the American Revolutionary War, better known as the War of Independence.

Day 6

Jamestown and Yorktown

Jamestown: Today is a full day spent in the Williamsburg area. Within 20 minutes’ drive are two towns whose importance and significance are pivotal in American history. Jamestown was the location of the first permanent settlement in the new colony of Virginia. Established in 1607 and named in honour of James 1, the town served as the capital of the new colony until 1699 when it was moved to Williamsburg. Jamestown was largely abandoned after this time and today is an archaeological site with just a few remaining visible reminders of its past.

Yorktown: You also visit neighbouring Yorktown which is one of the most important places in American history for it was here in 1781 that the American forces under George Washington and Lafayette and the French forces under Rochambeau defeated the British led by Cornwallis, resulting in an ignominious British surrender and marking the beginning of the end for British rule in the Colonies.

Day 7

Jefferson's Monticello and evening flight home

Monticello:  This morning you depart from Williamsburg and drive to Charlottesville where you visit Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s famous plantation house.  Jefferson was the third President of the USA, one of the Founding Fathers, and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence. He is buried here in the small cemetery which lies in the grounds of the house.

Flight Home:  After lunch you travel to Washington Dulles Airport for your return flight to the UK.

Day 8

Arrive Home

Arrive Home:  Your flight arrives back home this morning