Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Prescott Trailblazers Make Trip To Northeast United States

The Prescott Trailblazers just returned from an extended trip through northeast states beginning with Tennessee.

After leaving Tennessee the group traveled through West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, Vermont, New York, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and Kentucky. The 4,000-mile trip began Saturday, June 14.

In Newport, R.I., the group toured one of the most famous estates, the Breakers, cottage of Cornelius Vanderbilt. This spectacular 70-room mansion was built in 1895. It resembles 16th century northern Italian palaces. Afterwards they were met by a Viking Tour Guide for a fabulous 10-mile ocean drive. Few cities have a history as rich and colorful as that of Newport.

Monday evening they drove to New Bedford, Mass., and boarded the ferry Schamonchi to Martha's Vineyard. When the group arrived on the beautiful island, a guide was waiting for them for a full island tour with stops in Edgartown and Gay Head. Edgartown is one of New England's most elegant communities. It was the island's first colonial settlements. The stately white Greek Revival houses were built by the whaling captains and have been carefully maintained. The main street is a picturebook setting with its harbor and waterfront.

The Trailblazers enjoyed a unique evening activity one night in Plymouth. At 9:00 p.m. some of the group went on a leisurely one mile Colonial Lantern Tour walk. Each participant carried a candlelit, punched tin lantern. It allowed them to explore the town's historic district, the original plantation site, the waterfront, Brewster Gardens and Town Brook. A professional guide narrated many fascinating stories that provided a wonderful way of touring America's original settlement and its changes from the 17th through the 20th centuries.

While in Plymouth, the group went to Plymouth Rock where the Pilgrims landed in 1620. There, they saw the Mayflower II, an exact replica of the type of ship that carried the Pilgrims to America. The Pilgrim ship reproduction portrays life on the 66-day voyage. Costumed men and women portrayed crewmen and passengers who made the voyage. This gave visitors a true sense of this historic journey.

Afterwards the group visited Cranberry World Visitor's Center on the Plymouth waterfront. This is a unique exhibit that traces the cranberry from colonial times to present.

In Lexington and Concord, Mass., the Trailblazers were met by a tour guide and toured the Lexington Battle Green. The green is the site where the first shots were fired as the farmers took a stand against British oppression during the American Revolution. They went to several memorials as the beginning of the battle unfolded. In route to Concord, they viewed the Paul Revere capture site, stopped at the Buttrick Mansion, saw the Minute Man Statue, and went to the North Bridge where the "shot heard round the world" was fired. They learned about the literary heritage of the beautiful town and saw the homes of Emerson, Hawthorne, Thoreau and Alcott. They also visited Walden Pond and saw a replica of Thoreau's cabin.

A Hawthorne guide met the group at their motel and toured Boston and Cambridge. This tour included the Old North Church, which is the oldest church in Boston. From the church steeple's highest window were hung two lanterns sending Paul Revere on his historic ride to warn the militia in Lexington. They also saw the USS Constitution, referred to as "Old Ironsides," which was launched in 1797. It was engaged in more than forty battles without defeat and is the oldest commissioned navy ship afloat in the world.

The group boarded the full-sized working replica of the Boston Tea Party ship where the atmosphere on the ship was recreated. They enjoyed throwing tea chests overboard and drinking tea.

The group enjoyed seeing the 1713 Old State House where the Declaration of Independence was first read in Boston from its east balcony.

The highlight of the Boston tour was going to the John F. Kennedy Library that was designed by I.M. Pei. It is considered one of the most beautiful contemporary works of architecture in the country. The library tower houses a collection of documents from the Kennedy administration as well as audiovisual programs designed to recreate the era. The library and museum portray the life, leadership and legacy of President Kennedy through exhibits, video presentations and period settings.

In Cambridge, the group viewed the Massachusetts Institute of Technology which is one of the greatest science and engineering schools in the world. They also saw Harvard University. This magnificent university is America's oldest. It was founded in 1663.

In Salem, a guide conducted a tour of some of the historic streets and architecture. The name Salem is extricably linked to witchcraft hysteria of the 1690's. The group toured the Salem Witch Museum, which is quartered in an imposing heavy stone Romanesque-styled building. The museum presents a complete look at one of the most important, emotional and tragic events in American history.

The Trailblazers were excited to go to the House of Seven Gables and take a complete tour of the house and gardens. Nathaniel Hawthorne was born in 1804 near this ancient mansion which inspired him to write `The House of Seven Gables.' This is a rusty wooden house with seven acutely peaked gables. The house has a secret staircase and some say they hear the heartbeat of the house in this mysterious secret stairway.

Franciscan Monastery, and viewed the Bush estate.

In Portland, Maine, they enjoyed a two hour guided tour. Portland's renaissance is reflected in the restored old Port Exchange with its boutiques and bistros, and in their uptown I.M. Pei designed Portland Museum of Art. They saw Longfellow's beautiful Victorian Mansion, the island forts of Casco Bay, and the Portland Head Light, which is America's most photographed lighthouse.

While traveling through New Hampshire, the group enjoyed the scenic beauty of the White Mountains.

After touring Salem, they traveled to Kennebunkport, Maine. Here they met a tour guide and saw the romantic Wedding Cake House, strolled and admired the lively gardens and shrine of the Franciscan Monastery and viewed the Bush estate.

In Portland, Maine, they enjoyed a two-hour guided tour. Portland's renaissance is reflected in the restored old Port Exchange with its boutiques and bistros, and in its uptown I.M. Pei-designed Portland Museum of Art. They saw Longfellow's beautiful Victorian mansion, the island forts of Casco Bay and the Portland Head Light, which is America's most photographed lighthouse.

While traveling through