The History Book Club discussion

Please tell us a little bit about your favorite historical site and what inspired or moved you when you were a visitor. Or maybe the site was just breathtakingly beautiful or peaceful.

If you could attach an image that would be terrific and any links.

So many favourite historical sites but the one that meant the most to me was the 'Windmill' at Pozieres in France. There is a small plaque there that reads:

"The ruin of Pozières windmill which lies here was the centre of the struggles in this part of the Somme battlefield in July and August 1916. It was captured on 4th August by Australian troops, who fell more thickly on this ridge than any other."

For some pictures of Pozieres:

Windmill site at Pozieres


For the history of the battle:

Battle of Pozieres

Very moving Aussie Rick and thank you for sharing.

My pleasure Bentley, there isn't much there to look at but it's a very moving experience being there and walking the area. In the distance you can see the Thiepval Memorial on the skyline.

Thiepval Memorial

73,000 soldiers - such an avoidable loss. Sad isn't it. Lives stopped before some of these young men had a chance to live them.

One of my favorite local historic places is Port Arthur, despite it's sad recent history, it's a place were you can feel the history. The scars and hurt of recent events are still in everyone mind and hearts, but it's good to see people supporting the people and the site.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Art...

Another place is Sara Island, the remoteness and beauty of the area is breath taking.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macquari...

You will notice a theme between the two, that they are both penal colonies. Tasmania's European ocupation was driven by this need.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tasmania...

I see Michael. That is probably one of the most attractive Penal Station locations I have ever seen.

I've never been there, but I think one of the most moving sites must be the monument at Thermopylae with the Epitaph of Simonides -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_o...

Yes, the monuments themselves would be something especially the Epitaph of Simonides.

We read Herodotus here:

The text from Herodotus is:
Ὦ ξεῖν', ἀγγέλλειν Λακεδαιμονίοις ὅτι τῇδε
κείμεθα, τοῖς κείνων ῥήμασι πειθόμενοι.
Ō ksein', angellein Lakedaimoniois hoti tēide
keimetha tois keinōn rhēmasi peithomenoi.

"O stranger, tell Lacedaemonians that here
We lie to their sayings in obedience."

As you can see from the wikipedia source, there have been many arguments over the translation of the epitaph itself. Some say sayings means laws.

Herodotus

Thank you for that thoughtful add.

Another favorite of mine I would love to go back and visit is the Hermitage in St Petersurg, one day was not enought time.

http://hermitagemuseum.org/html_En/in...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermitag...

I have not been to St. Petersburg but I have been told that the Hermitage is an amazing experience. Thank you for these adds.

One of my favorite historical sites is Orchard House, Louisa May Alcott's childhood home. I may have been unduly influenced by the scribbling on the walls of their rooms.

Another breathtaking yet bleak site is in the Badlands at Battlefield of the Little Bighorn. I would love to revisit it now, after a brush fire exposed so many more artifacts. It's all too easy to picture that battle.

Orchard House looks really cool. I've got to remember that for if/when I get back to Boston ever.

By the way, here's the picture/link for Louisa May Alcott:
Louisa May Alcott

Bentley wrote: "Yes, the monuments themselves would be something especially the Epitaph of Simonides.

We read Herodotus here:

The text from Herodotus is:
Ὦ ξεῖν', ἀγγέλλειν Λακεδαιμονίοις ὅτι τῇδε
κείμεθα, τοῖς ..."

Bentley wrote: "I see Michael. That is probably one of the most attractive Penal Station locations I have ever seen."

Vicki wrote: "I've never been there, but I think one of the most moving sites must be the monument at Thermopylae with the Epitaph of Simonides -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_o......"

Bentley wrote: "I see Michael. That is probably one of the most attractive Penal Station locations I have ever seen."


If I can find the picture, I'll post it. -- Yes -- this site is remarkable -yet simple.

Joe, I am not sure what picture you are posting or what you are referencing, Please let us know.

A site that is never to be forgotten once seen is Oradour sur-Glane, in the Limousin region of France. The Nazis took reprisals on the entire population of 600+ by gunning down the men and herding the women and children into the church where they were executed. The village has been left as it was that day as a memorial to the inhumanity of the event. This is not a place where one takes pictures......it is too personal and much too poignant.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oradour-...

I read the wikipedia attachment; what a tragic story and this is an example where the folks who were still alive and had participated in this massacre were not brought to justice but allowed amnesty. However, it appears that the person in charge and many of those who took part died a few days later - at least karma took over. And to believe that those folks on bikes were also added to the village's population that day and it was the wrong village to boot. Talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time. A shame.

I have been all over the states when I was a kid.But don't remember much of my travels one particular place though I do remember is The Loop in St.Louis

http://hotspotvibe.com/stl/components...

link to the picture. I can't figure out how to put it in html sorry.

of course I've been to the CN tower in Toronto Ontario and all over Ontario but whats more exciting is trips to U.S.A as a kid. Here is a small photo of the Mess hall where I went for summer camp at the age of 11 it's the only Tim Horton camp in the U.S.A
http://www.timhortons.com/ca/images/g...
sorry it's so small. I really can't remember too many places that I've been to in the USA even though I went there alot before the need for passports to get across the border. I'd love to visit Europe.

I went to Silver City, NM a couple of months ago. While I was in the downtown area, I walked along the street that held a log cabin. It was a replica of the cabin they believe Bill the Kid lived in, and it was supposed to be close to that exact location. I knew it was the actual, but I felt as if I just stumbled upon a big piece of history.

http://www.campsilvercity.com/dest_BT...

As someone with an interest in the American Civil War, Gettysburg has always been a favorite of mine. They done a fairly good job with upkeep and keeping "civilization" back from the key areas. Walking Pickett's Charge and imagining what was happening when the men crossed that field was very moving.

David wrote: "As someone with an interest in the American Civil War, Gettysburg has always been a favorite of mine. They done a fairly good job with upkeep and keeping "civilization" back from the key areas. Wal..."

I agree, David, the National Park Service has done a good job. It is a great place to visit. Highly recommend.

Have you ever been to Gettysburg during that annual re- enactment? It is a most amazing sght as thousands of reenactors following the original plan of battle and charging across the fields, guns and cannons blazing. My nephew is with the North Carolina 35th and has participated He said it was one of the most overwhelming experiences in his life. He felt that it was actually happening and that he was part of history. Below is a home movie taken on the charge.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDxrB9...

It does look like the real thing.

I liked visiting the old Wyoming State Prison in Rawlins. You too can sit in a gas chamber.

The Shirley Eustis House is one of Boston's best kept secrets. Since the restoration is an ongoing process and the rooms are interpreted to different periods, it's a huge slice of the city's history in one place:

http://www.shirleyeustishouse.org

Well now that I'm retired and financially as well as physically not as capable of globe trotting to check out all of these fabulous sites . . . I'll just have to do it vicariously through the postings and web sites I find on GR. TG for the Internet!!

Burnside's Bridge at Antietam. A beautiful view from the creek looking up at the bridge, imagining the federal soldiers' anxiety about what they would soon be expected to accomplish, seeing several depressions in the soil next to the bridge where Confederate soldiers waited in foxholes, thinking about A. P. Hill's just-in-time arrival from Harper's Ferry to drive Burnside off the bridge after he had captured it.

Bryan wrote: "David wrote: "As someone with an interest in the American Civil War, Gettysburg has always been a favorite of mine. They done a fairly good job with upkeep and keeping "civilization" back from the ..."

Since I live in Gettysburg, I agree that it is a memorable place, however, most of the land around the battlefield is quite commercial. For that reason, my favorite battlefield is Antietam which hasn't lost its 19th Century feel so much.

No matter how many times I visit the Lincoln Memorial, I am moved to tears. It is just overwhelming. No picture can do it justice.



(Source: Wikipedia)

Jill wrote: "A site that is never to be forgotten once seen is Oradour sur-Glane, in the Limousin region of France. The Nazis took reprisals on the entire population of 600+ by gunning down the men and herding ..."

I visited Oradour sur-Glane some years ago. It is a poignant place. One thing that I found somewhat disconcerting is that just down the road is the modern village of Oradour. It must be difficult for its citizens to have such painful memories so close by.

I would agree, Betsy. Just think of all the horrors that took place during the war and the places that people see daily. Oradour sur-Glane is especially moving since it is frozen in time. A fitting but painful memorial.