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A Visitor's Guide to
Colonial and Revoluntionary
Mid Atlantic America
By Patricia and Robert Foulke
Reviewed by Dick Healy
Few early American historical sites can
match the region in and around Lake George, New York, ideally nestled in the
shadows of the Adirondack Mountains. So it seems only appropriate that
Patricia and Robert Foulke whose home, located at the southern east-side of
the lake is where the retired senior collage professors write travel guide
books. Too date, 12 in all. From Patricia and Robert’s breakfast nook, you
can look up the lake at the rolling mountains that 200 years ago echoed with
musket rifle burst and thundering cannons. A time when the French and Indian
Wars raged all the way from Canada, and thereafter became so instrumental
during the Revolutionary war. Each day in season, at the replicated Fort
William Henry, a single canon is fired, and visitors listen as its
thundering sound bouncing off the mountains.
The Foulke’s last book, “ Mid Atlantic America “ is a broad-brush trek down
history lane, guiding readers through towns, villages and along waterways
that literally shaped our rich American legacy, chronicling the nuances of
how we evolved as a people. This major 324 page visitor’s guide to Colonial
& Revolutionary New England has, at its core, an exceptional historic
perspective not found in previous travel books I have read. Instead of just
following the standard routes that meander down through New York State,
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland, the Foulkes let you sample
the whole fabric of America’s unique experience.
Whether describing the French and Indian War that took place 250 years ago
between France and Britain (1754 to 1763) throughout the Hudson-Champlain
region, or detailing the facts of the murder of Jane McCrea by an Indian in
Fort Edward that rallied American forces which eventually brought on the
defeat of Britain’s General Burgoyne at Saratoga, one thing is clear:
Patricia and Robert Foulke’s have done meticulous research.
Equally revealing in this narrative is the many subtle facts on National
Historic Parks included in the five-state- wide geographical boundaries. The
diverse historic museums collectively outlined within the book’s pages make
Mid Atlantic America well worth a read. As the Foulke’s point out, “
Philadelphia’s Independence Hall on Chestnut St. between 5th and 6th streets
is the place where the Declaration of Independence and Articles of
Confederation were adopted and where the end of the Revolutionary War was
announced.”
Every travel book seemingly captures individual reader’s special interest.
Having once owned a 30-foot S2 sailing yacht in Annapolis, and recalling the
joy of sailing on the vast Chesapeake, I noted that the Foulke’s also sailed
extensively in Annapolis. Robert, as the assistant sailing officer in 1953
at the U. S. Naval Academy, and Patricia, spent their first year of marriage
in Annapolis living, as they put it, “ In a rented apartment on Duke and
Gloucester Street.” They also highly recommend a visit to the Chesapeake Bay
Maritime Museum, among other Maryland based museums.
I have only described few of historic sites, fine dining establishments and
lodging offered in Mid Atlantic America mainly because they’re too numerous
to mention in this brief space. Suffice to say that this visitor’s guide is
a thoroughly complete historical trek. One could fashion several trips
around the information presented. The Foulke’s have done the hard work. Now
all vacationers have to do is follow the detailed historic path they’ve
mapped out.
Sidebar: Robert Foulke is the former chair of the English Department of
Skidmore College, Saratoga, NY and holds a doctorate in literature. His wife
has published in newspapers and magazines nationwide and has a master’s
degree in history.
Book Published by: The Countryman Press
Woodstock, VT
www.countrymanpress.com
$18.95
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