In 1967, Ed Gotwalt received an elephant from his sister-in-law as a wedding gift. Why an elephant? For good luck, of course. On his honeymoon to Williamsburg, Va., he found another one. “Honey, I’m going to start collecting elephants,” he told his wife on the way back home. Since then, his pachyderm passion has taken him all over the world in search of unusual additions to his collection. In 1983, his elephant collection outgrew his home and he opened up Mister Ed’s Elephant Museum.

Since then, his pachyderm passion has taken him all over the world in search of unusual additions to his collection. In 1983, his elephant collection outgrew his home and he opened up Mister Ed’s Elephant Museum.

When visiting Gettysburg, Pa., make sure to visit the National Civil War Museum, just a short 40-mile drive to Harrisburg. The National Civil War Museum brings out the humanness of the war, with equal emphasis on both sides. From slavery to camp life to the turmoil of 19th-century politics, the museum will give you a better understanding of our country and its people during those tumultuous times.

If you are looking for something to do on a warm, lazy summer day and want to experience a small town near the beach but not crowded with beach goers, take a trip to Milford, Del.

By Kristen Unger

Travel to the area of Northwest Virginia and you will eventually come across the community of Middletown. The town is one of the older settlements in Virginia, was host to many battles in the Civil War—most famously the Battle of Cedar Creek—and is home to the Wayside Inn, the oldest continuously running [...]

If you’re looking for a getaway to Small Town USA, look no further than Martinsburg, W.Va.

It has all the elements weary city dwellers crave: a walkable main street through town dotted with shops, great family owned restaurants, friendly townfolk, a train station, and a history that locals are proud of and work to preserve.

Civil War battlefields have always been hallowed ground for visitors to learn about the history of our country. But, much of the drama of the war is usually left up to your imagination as you picture soldiers fighting and dying on the exact spot where you are standing.