Ebook: Destination Heartland: A Guide to Discovering the Midwest's Remarkable Past

The Midwest's place at the crossroads of the nation makes it a rich travel destination for anyone interested in the history and heritage of the United States. Cynthia Clampitt's guide to heartland historical sites invites readers to live the past, whether it's watching a battlefield reenactment or wandering the grounds of an ancient Native American city. From the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center to the Chinese American Museum, Clampitt uncovers the fascinating stories behind these quintessentially Midwestern places while offering valuable tips for getting the most out of your visit. She also ventures beyond the typical scope of guidebooks to include historic restaurants, small-town museums, and other overlooked gems perfect for turning that quick day trip into a leisurely itinerary.

An informative handbook and introduction to the Midwest's colorful past, Destination Heartland provides travelers with a knowledgeable companion on the highways and backroads of history.

States covered in the book: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

|Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1: Creating and Defining the Midwest
Chapter 2: Witnessing History
Living-history venues and open-air museums: places to watch what life was like.
Chapter 3: Perusing History
Vintage sites, historic homes, museums large and small
Chapter 4: Exploring History
Historic towns, enclaves, and sprawling destinations
Chapter 5: Experiencing History
Participating, reenacting, volunteering, and other opportunities
Chapter 6: Eating and Sleeping History
Historic inns and dining venues
Chapter 7: Locating More History
Resources for finding more places, whether near you or elsewhere in the Midwest
Appendix A: Destinations by State
Appendix B: Order of Statehood
Notes
Sources
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"Clampitt's work reminds readers of the importance of local history in explaining the intricate history of the United States." —Missouri Historical Review

"For the author, traditions, the built environment, historic events, learning, eating, and travel by car are a way of life that she encourages her readers to emulate. . . . History lovers will gain a useful, interesting, and convincing book that will bring back memories of places visited while revealing enticing new possibilities nearby or just a few miles away." —Nebraska History Magazine

"For one looking for a fun and historic place to visit, Clampitt's book is chockful of ideas and offers an easy way to explore possibilities. What might be difficult is choosing where to go first." —Illinois Times
|Cynthia Clampitt is a food historian and travel writer. She is the author of Midwest Maize: How Corn Shaped the U.S. Heartland and Waltzing Australia.