William Chester Ruth Historical Marker in Lancaster County

For the past few years we've been driving around the state of Pennsylvania and documenting some of the historical markers that we come across. The information contained on these historical markers document our forgotten past. Thousands of people pass by them on a daily basis and don't even give them a second look. Well, we're trying to change that, by documenting them here on our blog.

While on a road trip through Lancaster County we stumbled upon the William Chester Ruth historical marker located on US Route 30 in Gap, Pennsylvania. It sits on the right side of the road when you're traveling west. There is a retail store parking lot that you can pull into so that you can photograph it.

Here is the information imprinted on the marker:

African American inventor who opened a blacksmith and machine shop here in 1923. He did metal work and repairs, primarily for Pennsylvania German farmers. Ruth designed and patented many agricultural devices, most notably his 1928 baler feeder. He also applied his talents to designing and building military devices. An esteemed community member, he was spiritual leader at the Church of Christ in Ercildoun, where he lived.

By: 2006 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

William Chester Ruth was born in 1882 and died in 1971. He was an African-American inventor in Chester County, Pennsylvania. If you would like to learn more about him and the life that he led, I would invite you to visit the BlackPast.org website for more information about him.

Beautiful Street Art Wall Mural at Neato Burrito

Are you a lover of street art and outdoor wall murals? We are! If you're a fan you'll want to check out this over-sized wall mural on the side of the Neato Burrito building in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania.

Neato Burrito is a dine-in or take-out restaurant with 7 locations across central Pennsylvania. They have some of the best Mexican cuisine in the area. If you want to save time you can order online and then run in to pick up your order. They don't participate with any food delivery services. You'll find that they're open 7 days a week, hours depend on location, closed on major holidays.

In addition to offering several different type's of burritos they offer craft soft drinks. You can choose from burritos that contain chicken, beef, pork and vegetarian varieties. Their black bean hummus and salsa is delicious and we highly recommend that you try them.

On the day that we took these photographs the weather was not cooperating with us at all. We'll try to get better pictures next time. Plus, they were very busy and a lot of people and vehicles were coming and going. With that said, the wall mural is big, beautiful, colorful and very interesting. If you know who the artist is...please drop us a line with that information.

The Wildwood Crest Arch and Town Clock

We've been traveling down to Wildwood several times a year since 1999. When we visit the island we typically stay in North Wildwood but participate in activities all over the island and mainland. With that said, we never walked to the very end of the boardwalk in Wildwood Crest. A lot of visitors think that the boardwalk ends around the Convention Center, but it actually continues on.

While on a recent trip down to the Jersey Shore we were waymarking and sightseeing in Wildwood Crest and stumbled upon the famous Wildwood Crest Arch and the Wildwood Crest town clock. You will find both of them at the entrance to the boardwalk from the WW Crest side. They sit right along the oceanfront.

There is a historical plaque that gives you information about the arch. Here's what it says.

This is a replica of the arch that once spanned Pacific Avenue at Cresse Avenue and was donated by the beautification committee to the borough of Wildwood Crest.

I had never known it was there until we stumbled upon it by accident. I really wish I could of seen the original one that was located downtown, but sadly it's gone and now they have this replica one in a new location. In our photographs you will see it from both sides.

Within a few yards of the Wildwood Crest Arch you'll find the town clock that features bicycling artwork that goes around all four sides. It's a dual-face clock with the clock maker's name inscribed on the face. I was too short and couldn't get close enough to read it. I thought it was pretty cool and looks totally different than all of the other town clocks on the island.

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Professor Hacker's Lost Treasure Mini Golf in Lancaster County

Professor Hacker's Lost Treasure Mini Golf in Lancaster, Pennsylvania is one of nine locations across the nation where you can explore Professor Hacker's search for gold and diamonds. Each 18-hole course features beautiful waterfalls, caves, cliffs, volcanoes, and other water features.

If you're interested in visiting the Lancaster County location you can read all about Professor Hacker's journey before you get there. Knowing the story ahead of time adds more interest and fun as you play the course.

Once you arrive you can choose from two different miniature golf courses. Both of the courses offer something different, so we recommend playing them both if you have the time. If you're looking to save a little bit of money...check out the current golf specials on their website for money-saving coupons.

When visiting we recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes and dress appropriately for the weather. Some areas of the course are shaded while other areas are completely out in the sun. You'll be doing a lot of walking and standing. If you want to avoid crowds we recommend visiting during a weekday afternoon or early in the day during the weekend.

Like most mini golf courses you'll have the opportunity to win a free round of mini golf. After playing your first round (game) ask an expedition guide to tell you which hole was the mystery hole for the day. (they change daily). If you or anyone in your party hit a hole-in-one at the mystery hole you'll win a free game of golf. Fun!!!

You can learn more by checking Lost Treasure Mini Golf out on Facebook and on Twitter. You can sign-up for the company's newsletter on their website for upcoming news and exclusive discounts. Some of their other locations include Branson Missouri, Kill Devil Hills North Carolina and North Myrtle Beach South Caroline. See website for a full list of locations.

Spending Time on the Boardwalk in Wildwood Crest

We've been traveling down to Wildwood in New Jersey several times every year since 2000. Every time we go we stay in North Wildwood and typically stay a week. When we're down on the Wildwood island we spend a lot of time up on the Boardwalk.

The boardwalk stretches for 38 city blocks. It starts in North Wildwood, runs through Wildwood, and then stops in the beginning of Wildwood Crest. It's jam-packed with restaurants, cafes, souvenir stores, boutique shops, amusement rides, waterparks, candy stores, ice cream parlors, miniature golf, tattoo parlors, carnival style games, video game arcades. and more!

For two miles you can stroll along the boardwalk at your own pace and if you have any mobility issues...you can elect to take a ride on the world famous Tram Car. You can go from one end of the boardwalk to the other end for $3.00 each way. It's a great way to get from point A to point B if you're tired of walking.

Nineteen years we've been enjoying the world-famous boardwalk and thought we've seen everything there is to see. Surprise...we haven't! Every time we're on the boardwalk we always turn around at the Convention Center thinking that no more shops & stores are beyond that point. WRONG!!!

If you stroll down for a few more blocks past the Convention Center you'll stumble upon the Ocean Towers Boardwalk Shops. After all of these years I had never known they were there until we stumbled upon them by accident a few months ago.

Now you may be thinking to yourselves...so what, big deal. Well, that's why I'm pointing them out to you. In several of their souvenir and gift shops I found some of the best boardwalk deals! That's right, DEALS! I was able to pick up adult t-shirts and tops for $5.00 each. I purchased several adult hoodies for $10.00 each, children's hoodies for $5.00 each, and I found a beautiful sundress for only $5.00. These were "in-season" prices...not after the summer season had finished!

Here's another tidbit for you. Did you know that Wildwood Crest has their own fancy entrance to the boardwalk? They do! It's decorated in beach balls just like the famous beach balls in front of the Convention Center that everyone likes to photograph. This entrance will accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists. Plus, the Tram Car will make pick-ups and drop-offs there too!

Wildwood Crest has their own Welcome to the Crest Arch and Town Clock too. There is an information plaque on the arch that you can read to learn its history. It used to be located on one of the downtown streets and was later moved up closer to the beach. It's a beautiful coastal-themed town clock and it sits just a few yards away from the arch.

When visiting the Wildwoods make sure you check out the entire boardwalk from North Wildwood down to Wildwood Crest. There are a few shops a few blocks past the center and let me tell you, I got some of my best deals there! If you're a bargain hunter like me...make sure you check them out. After all of these years, I never knew they were there.

Street Art Wall Mural at Capital Joe in Harrisburg

A brand new wall mural was added during #HbgMuralFest 2019 on the side of the Capital Joe building in downtown Harrisburg. If you've never visited Capital Joe's...they offer some of the best espresso drinks, coffee, teas, baked goods, etc. in the downtown area.

The wall mural was painted by artist Arthur Haywood IV and features a female astronaut with an outer space theme in the background. I really like the "pops" of color that the artist selected for this piece. Women have come a long way and its nice to see their accomplishments in space now being recognized.

If you're looking to photograph it you'll find off-street parking nearby. There is an old stone Baptist Church that sits next door which is pretty to look at it too! While there...we recommend that you go into Capital Joe's and pick up an espresso and muffin. Delicious! We'll definitely be back when we're in the area again.

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Col. Timothy Green Historical Marker in Dauphin

We enjoy seeking out historical markers when traveling. They're full of historical facts and information that are often forgotten or overlooked. Thousands of people drive-by or walk-by these markers and never give them a second look. We're hoping to change that and we've been documenting them here on the travel blog.

The Col. Timothy Green historical marker is located in Dauphin, Pennsylvania (in Dauphin County) at the intersection of Claster Blvd. and Floral Lane. Here's the information.

In the graveyard to the south rests Timothy Green, officer in the French and Indian War; signer of the Hanover Independence Resolves in June, 1774; an outstanding leader of this region in the Revolution.

By: 1948 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

We did a little online research and found out the following information about him. We did document another historical marker in Dauphin County that mentions Col. Timothy Green and you can check out that post HERE to learn more about him. It isn't much, so I'll have to hit the library in a few weeks to see what else I can find about him.

Born: 1735
Death: 1812
Buried: in Dauphin Cemetery, Dauphin, Pennsylvania
Gravesite: Includes an official Revolutionary War Marker

If you're looking for the historical marker and doing some waymarking you'll find it on the right side of the street if you're traveling north at the intersection of Claster Blvd. and Floral Lane. It's located in a residential area and you can safely pull off the side of the road to photograph it and document it for your waymarking records.

The Country Legends Wall Mural in Nashville Features 14 Country Music Superstars

While on a road trip through the great state of Tennessee we decided to spend the weekend in Nashville. At the hotel that we were staying they recommended a few local tourist attractions for us to check out and I have to say...they're recommendations were great! One of the things on the list was this famous Country Legends Wall Mural that appears on the outside wall of the Legends Corner on Lower Broadway.

GPS Users: 428 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203-3931

The wall mural features the likenesses of Tim McGraw, Loretta Lynn, Blake Shelton, Dierks Bentley, Willie Nelson, Taylor Swift, Johnny Cash, Keith Urban, Merle Haggard, Reba McEntire, Alan Jackson, George Strait, Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks. My husband is a big Reba McEntire fan, so he was quite pleased to see her depicted in the mural.

Legends Corner is a country music bar and it features four live performances every day. They're open 7-days a week from 10:00 AM to 3:00 AM. You can check out the bar's website for a current performers list and scheduled times. When you walk through the doors you'll notice that all of the walls are adorned with memorabilia from a lot of the country music superstars that helped put Nashville on the map or launched their careers from there. You could spend hours just looking at all of the memorabilia hanging on the walls!

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Street Art: Water's Edge Ocean Resort Outdoor Wall Mural

We've been going down to the Jersey Shore several times a year for the past 30+ years. When it comes to my family's vacation time, we love spending it down at the Jersey Shore. Our favorite coastal towns in New Jersey are Ocean City, Avalon, Stone Harbor, Wildwood and Cape May. Yes, visiting south Jersey is the best in our book!

Every time we go down there we're on the lookout for new street art and outdoor wall murals that we haven't seen before. We are HUGE fans of street art and coastal wall murals and have photographed about 40 different ones located around New Jersey. You can find those posts right HERE on our blog.

While driving around on the Wildwood island we stumbled upon an outdoor wall mural painted by one of our favorite mural companies, MG Signs. The mural is painted on the side of the Water's Edge Ocean Resort building located on Beach Avenue in Wildwood, New Jersey. It's done in a beach theme complete with ocean water, sandy beach, sand dunes, and sea gulls. If you look really close you'll see a little starfish laying on the beach. Beautiful!!!

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Delaware Breakwater East End Lighthouse

The Delaware Breakwater East End Light Lighthouse is located in the Delaware Bay, off the coast of Cape Henlopen in Lewes. The lighthouse was constructed in 1885 and was deactivated in 1996. It stands 49 feet tall with a focal height of 60 1/2 feet. The cast iron structure features a 3-story keeper's quarter and has a conical tower with a balcony.

We had the opportunity to see the lighthouse while on a chartered fishing boat. If you look on a map you'll find it located at the mouth of the Delaware Bay on the Breakwater. It's currently owned by the state of Delaware and is open every summer for regularly scheduled tours. If you're not interested in a tour...the light can be viewed from the Cape May-Lewes Ferry or from Cape Henlopen State Park.

You'll want to check out their website for an updated schedule and information. You can connect with them on Facebook too.  If you're a lighthouse lover, you'll want to add this one to you must-see bucket list. The photograph doesn't do it any justice!

William Maclay Historical Marker in Dauphin County

William Maclay was born in 1736 and died in 1804. His historical marker and grave site can be found in the Paxton Presbyterian Churchyard Cemetery located in Harrisburg (Dauphin County), Pennsylvania. His marker and grave site are part of the Pennsylvania Historical Marker Trail. The cemetery is open year-round and you will want to park in the designated parking lot and enter through the gates.

Once you go through the gates you'll want to walk to your left and down a few aisles until you happen upon his grave and memorial marker. Its a few steps away from John Harris Jr.'s marker which is also part of the history trail. He was married to the daughter of John Harris, Sr., so I think that's why he's buried within a few feet from Jr.'s grave.

In 1789 he along with his colleague Robert Morris were the first elected senators from the state of Pennsylvania. He left the U.S. Senate in 1791. He served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives 1795 through 1797. He was one of the well-known leaders of the Anti-Administration Party and was a big critic of Samuel Adams and George Washington. He wasn't well-liked by his U.S. Senate colleagues.

Historical Marker:

William Maclay, Esq.
1736 - 1804

Buried here is the first U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania. In 1789, he and Robert Morris were the first from the Keystone State to be elected to the senate of the United States.

Located right beside his grave (and marker) is a large gravestone marker for Eliza Maclay, the daughter of William and Mary McClure Harris Maclay. She had two siblings: Mary Harris MacLay Awl and Jane M. Maclay Lyon.

Here's what it says:

A lingering distemper borne with resignation put a period to her life in the 23rd year of her age, the duties annexed to her station were discharged without a blot. Her weeping parents placed over The Monument of her Virtues and of their affection.

There is quite a bit of historical information available online, via books and at the Dauphin County Historical Society where you can learn more about the Maclay family, a prominent family from the Harrisburg area.

Museum of The American Revolution Hosts FREE Virtual Spring Break

Staying at home is important right now, but it can be a challenging. Take a break and treat yourself to a socially distant spring break! The Museum of the American Revolution is hosting a Virtual Spring Break from Monday, April 6th through Friday, April 17th, 2020, with a line-up of choose-your-own virtual adventures including make-at-home craft activities using household items, virtual story time, living history demonstrations for all ages, and more.

Learn about the efforts of Revolutionary-era Philadelphians who prepared the Continental Army's supplies each spring during the Revolutionary War. And celebrate the Museum’s Third Birthday on Sunday, April 19, the anniversary of the “Shot Heard Round the World” that ignited the Revolutionary War in 1775. Be sure to follow the Museum on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for daily content and updates.

Schedule of Virtual Spring Break programs:

* Every weekday during Spring Break from April 6 – 17, check out the Museum’s Facebook for a Daily Craft or Coloring Activity. Learn the art of paper cutting, “scherenschnitte,” brought to America by German immigrants, and create paper decorations inspired by artifacts in the Museum’s collection; color a wampum belt like those used by Native American communities; or make your own whirligig – a popular colonial toy – with string and cardboard.

* On Mondays and Fridays during Spring Break, tune into Facebook and Instagram for Artisan Field Trips featuring video interviews with living history artisans and makers as they demonstrate their Revolutionary-era crafts, including a shoemaker, seamstress, carpenter, and bookbinder.

* On Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 a.m., join us for Virtual Storytime on Facebook as we read children’s books about the American Revolution and its ongoing impact, including What Can Citizens Do? by Dave Eggers and Now and Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin by Gene Barretta.

* On Wednesdays at Noon, we’ll host Live Q+A’s with our curators and historians on Instagram. Join in and ask your most pressing historical question!

* On Thursdays, tune into the Museum’s Instagram account for Colonial Cooking demonstrations, including how to make hard bread like that eaten by Revolutionary War soldiers and how to make cooked pumpkin, inspired by the memoir of Continental Army soldier Joseph Plumb Martin.

On Sunday, April 19th, join us as we celebrate the Museum’s Third Birthday! Visit their Facebook page to sign a digital birthday card and share your favorite Museum memory for a chance to win four tickets to visit the Museum when it reopens. We’ll be sharing 18th-century cake and cocktail recipes for you to make at home. Also, join us as we commemorate the anniversary of the “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” that ignited the Revolutionary War on April 19th, 1775.

The Museum’s other virtual resources include:

* Virtual Field Trip: Go behind-the-scenes at the Museum with Scholastic’s “Beyond the Battlefield” Virtual Field Trip with host Lauren Tarshis, author of the I Survived series of children’s historical fiction novels.

* Virtual Museum Tour: Experience the Museum’s award-winning, immersive galleries with 360-degree views in our Virtual Museum Tour.

* Digital Collection: Explore selected treasures from the Museum’s impressive collection of Revolutionary-era objects, works of art, manuscripts, and printed works.

The Museum also offers free comprehensive lesson plans full of primary sources, images, and provocative questions, a “Color the Collection” coloring book based on treasures from the Museum’s collection, and a rich archive of Read the Revolution book excerpts.

The Official Delaware State Facts and Travel Tips

We live on the east coast and have had the pleasure many times to visit the great state of Delaware. Just like most of the east coast states, Delaware is a great state to visit if you enjoy hiking, boating, fishing, camping, playing on the beach and all kinds of other things. The state shares a border with Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and to the east with the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay.

Delaware is the second smallest state in the United States and the 6th least populous. Unlike other states, it only has 3 counties: Kent County, New Castle County and Sussex County. The capital of the state is Dover with the largest city being Wilmington. This small state has an approximate width of 30 miles wide by 96 miles long.

Official Delaware State Facts

Nickname: The First State, The Diamond State
Motto: Liberty and Independenc
Admission to Union: December 7th, 1787
Abbreviation: DE
State Colors: Colonial Blue and Buff
State Song: Our Delaware
State Bird: Blue Hen Chicken
State Flower: Peach Blossom
State Tree: American Holly
State Fish: Weakfish
State Beverage: Milk
State Bug: The Ladybug

Major Tourist Attractions:

Millions of visitors every year are attracted to Delaware's beautiful beaches along the Atlantic coastline. The best known beach towns are Bethany Beach, Fenwick Island, Dewey Beach and Rehoboth Beach. You can enjoy sunbathing, fishing, hiking, boating and other beach-side attractions.

If you're a fan of NASCAR racing you'll enjoy visiting Dover International Speedway where two NASCAR races are held annually, one in the spring and the second one in early fall. These races attract thousands of fans from all across the country every year.

You can enjoy hiking, boating, camping, fishing, biking and other outdoor adventures in one of Delaware's State Parks. If you enjoy the great outdoors, you'll want to follow the Delaware Outdoor Trail.

Delaware is a great state to visit, especially if you're looking for something a little bit different. You can learn more about Delaware by visiting the state's official website online. Happy Traveling!

Inclusion - Heart of Wildwood Wall Mural by Artist Joe Lurato

We travel down to Wildwood in New Jersey several times every year and always find new wall murals and street art. That's one beautiful thing about the island is that they're always adding something new for fans to see.

In August 2019 artist Joe Lurato painted this beautiful outdoor wall mural on the side of a building located up on the Wildwood Boardwalk. The piece is titled "Inclusion" and features the three beautiful children of the owners of the Heart of Wildwood Motel. The children are sitting on the sand and holding a globe....around the globe you'll find the words "In a World Where You Can Be Anything - Be Kind". The name of the hotel is repeated several times underneath it.

The artist's name Joe Lurato 2019 is painted in the bottom right corner. It's not an over-sized piece (meaning that it doesn't take up the entire side of the building). It's a nice size and done in beautiful colors and has a lot of meaning especially in the world that we live in today.

You can learn more about the INCLUSION wall mural (street art) by visiting the artist's Facebook page, by visiting his official website,  and by following the artist on Twitter.