When I travel around the US, I like to check out local sites and see what’s unique to the area. Especially if it involves writers. The first time I went to New Orleans, I couldn’t help thinking about Walt Whitman and the oak trees. When I went to a wedding in Connecticut, I was excited to learn that Mark Twain’s house was there (next to Harriet Beecher Stowe’s house!). I did the museum visit and home tour (which was great). On the tour, you can learn about Twain’s early adoption of technology, about his exciting dinner parties, and about his life with his family. The tour guides are a wealth of knowledge.
On a trip to Philadelphia, my friend mentioned that one of Edgar Allan Poe’s homes is in the city, so naturally I said let’s go. The house is a National Historic site with a “park ranger” on site to share information. The house is small but you can watch a video, take a tour, learn more about Poe and the home (and basement!) that inspired the Black Cat. I criticized the quote outside next to a painted image of Poe (which wasn’t from one of his best stories). The park ranger said that building was not a part of the site and the painting was done by a private citizen.
Most recently, while driving home from Santa Cruz, I made a stop I had been meaning to make. I went to the National Steinbeck center. For $13, you can learn about Steinbeck’s life, his writing and the Salinas valley. I am a huge Grapes of Wrath fan I wanted to visit. If your in town, you can also visit his home and eat lunch there. I didn’t have time to go there this trip, but I think I will next time.
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