When one thinks of world history, the first place that comes to mind might not necessarily be the United States. It’s such a young country, and its history goes back only to 1776. However, take another step back, and you’ll see that the land itself has an incredibly rich history dating to thousands of years ago
That tradition of U.S history is alive and well in museums all across the country. History continues to fascinate people to this day, which is why some of the best history museums in America still open their doors to many thousands of visitors every year.
So, what are some of the best ones in all the corners of the country? There are way too many to name here, but here are a few worth calling out.
National Civil War Naval Museum
First up is the National Civil War Museum in Columbus, GA. This is one of those places you visit when you’re on vacation, although if you’ve been checking out the houses for rent in Columbus, GA, you’ll want to make this place a semi-regular stop.
Just as its name suggests, the National Civil War Naval Museum focuses on the history of the American Civil War from the perspective of the naval battles fought during that time. The museum holds the CSS Jackson, the largest surviving ship used by the Confederacy during the war, and the remains of the CSS Chattahoochee.
From uniforms to flags to other artifacts, this place has all the naval Civil War history you can take in, so be sure to make time for this one.
Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Next up, we’re heading up to southwestern Pennsylvania, to the revitalized steel city of Pittsburgh. It’s home to plenty of Carnegie history, not the least of which is the series of museums founded by steel magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie in the late 1800s.
When you come to this museum, you’ll be faced with a question: which set of artifacts do I want to see first? You’re greeted by so much that is interesting and educational that you’ll be forced to choose. There is the huge section on dinosaurs, giving their history through fossils and realistic displays.
You can also cross over into later history, learning about Ice Age animals, African wildlife, rocks and minerals, Native American history, and ancient Egypt. With some very real specimens from ancient history, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History has a ton to be thankful for if you’re a history lover.
Colonial Williamsburg
Lastly, we have Virginia’s Colonial Williamsburg. While not a museum in the traditional sense, this place is what is known as a living museum, in which visitors can visit the actual buildings and locations of this once booming capital of the Virginia colony in the 18th century.
When you visit, you’ll be treated to a slice of life as it was in that time. From historic taverns to the Governor’s Palace to the local armory, costumed actors bring Colonial Williamsburg to life for the enjoyment and higher education of all.
You can interact with the docents to learn more about the colonial history of our country, asking them questions about anything you see and hear. When you want to know about history, a living museum is the place to go.
So there you have it: some of the best history museums in the United States. What are you waiting for? Get going!
