Uncovering America’s Hidden Historical Landmarks

These unique, lesser-known sites preserve more than natural beauty; they pass on important American history.

Central Park, New York

In 1853, when New York State officials approved funds to purchase land for a park in Manhattan, they couldn't have predicted that the rocky, swampy terrain would become the beloved "lungs of the city" and a respite for 42 million annual visitors. As park designer Frederick Law Olmsted envisioned, the park would be "a specimen of God’s handiwork" accessible to common people.

Central Park's innovative design includes subterranean transverse roads, allowing pedestrians and carriages to enjoy the park without disturbing each other. Much of the original infrastructure, like the Mall, the Lake, and the Pond, still exists. After being closed for over 80 years due to invasive species, the Hallett Nature Sanctuary was restored and reopened in 2016, now serving as a sanctuary for park wildlife. Visitors can enjoy various activities, from walking and cycling to dining at Tavern on the Green and attending free summer concerts.

Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky

Mapped at 426 miles, Mammoth Cave is the world's longest known cave system. Speleologists continue to discover new passageways, potentially extending the system another 600 miles. The cave's 330-million-year-old limestone walls have a rich human history, dating back over 4,000 years when prehistoric Native Americans explored it for minerals.

Rediscovered around the 19th century, Mammoth Cave has been used for mining saltpeter, growing mushrooms, and even as a tuberculosis hospital. Today, visitors can join ranger-led tours, including the rigorous Wild Cave Tour, which involves crawling and climbing through a maze of small holes and canyons.

Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail, Alabama

This 54-mile-long trail commemorates the 1965 Voting Rights March from Selma to Montgomery. It began on March 7, 1965, with 600 nonviolent protesters demanding their right to vote. They were attacked by law enforcement officers on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, an event known as Bloody Sunday.

The march resumed on March 21, led by Martin Luther King Jr., with 3,000 participants. Protected by federal authorities, the march grew to 25,000 people by the time it reached Montgomery, where King delivered his famous "How Long? Not Long" speech. The marches led to the Voting Rights Act being signed into law on August 6, 1965.

Stonewall National Monument, New York

In the 1960s, New York City's Greenwich Village was a haven for the LGBTQ+ community. The Stonewall Inn, a Mafia-run club, allowed same-sex couples to dance and drink together. Police raids on such bars often led to arrests and harassment of patrons.

On June 28, 1969, a raid on the Stonewall Inn sparked riots that lasted until July 3, igniting the gay rights movement worldwide. In 2016, President Barack Obama declared Christopher Park across from the Stonewall Inn a national monument, the first to tell the story of the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights. Visitors can view photographs and take self-guided tours of important LGBTQ+ sites in Greenwich Village.