Our Family Vacations Trivia Quiz

Answer: Enchanted Forest

Enchanted Forest, a children's amusement park based on story-book characters like Cinderella and Old King Cole, opened in 1955. It was closed about thirty years later. Many people in the area have fond memories of Enchanted Forest, and have restored some of the characters, which can be seen at Clark's Elioak Farm, a local petting zoo. Even though the Enchanted Forest is gone, Ellicott City is still worth visiting.

It is home to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum, as well as many antique stores.

Answer: Hershey Park

Hershey Park, which bills itself as "the sweetest place on earth", was originally opened in 1907. Milton Hershey, the founder of Hershey chocolate, started the park for his employees. It is now a world-class amusement park, spanning some 110 acres. In addition to the amusement park, you can enjoy Zooamerica and Chocolate World when you visit Hersheypark. If you like people watching, Hershey offers something unique. Located in the Pennsylvania Dutch country and not far from Baltimore, visitors to Hershey include traditionally dressed Mennonites and Amish farmers, as well as traditionally dressed Orthodox Jews, who appreciate the kosher food concession near the entrance to the park. (Information for this question came from the official Hershey web site, and the Wikipedia.)

Answer: A maze

Williamsburg was the capital of Virginia from 1699 until 1780, and played an important role in the events leading up to the Revolutionary War. Eventually the capital moved, and Williamsburg turned into a sleepy town, whose main claim fame was the University of William and Mary, one of America's oldest universities.

In 1926, restorations of the city began, with the support of John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Today the restored town contains many interesting buildings, as well as costumed guides who operate historic crafts.

The jewel in the crown is the Governor's Mansion, which was completed in 1722. While the magnificent antique furnishings may not be of much interest to children, they will adore the garden maze, constructed from boxwood.(Information for this question came from the official Williamsburg web site.)

Answer: John Brown

Harper's Ferry, West Virginia, was described by Thomas Jefferson as "perhaps one of the most stupendous scenes in nature". Robert Harper first built a mill here in 1751, taking advantage of the vast power created by the confluence of two mighty rivers, the Potomac and the Shenandoah.

However, Harper's Ferry is best known for the events of October 16, 1859, when the fiery abolitionist John Brown led 22 men on a raid in Harper's Ferry. Their aim was to take over the Federal Armory located in Harper's Ferry and to distribute the weapons to slaves throughout the South, and thus enable a massive uprising against slavery. Brown was ultimately caught and hanged in nearby Charles Town, West Virginia. Today, the National Park Service maintains Harper's Ferry. You can enjoy the fabulous scenery, tour historic sites, and hike part of the Appalachian trail, which runs right through Harper's Ferry. If you want a real nostalgic experience, try staying at the Hill Top Hotel, an old-fashioned family hotel that hasn't changed a bit in decades.

Answer: Fallingwater

Frank Lloyd Wright designed one of his masterpieces, Fallingwater, for Pittsburgh department store magnate Edgar J. Kaufman. The home is built directly over the rushing stream, and constructed from local stone. It gives the impression of being a natural part of the landscape, rather than a man-made structure.

In 1991 the house was declared to be "the best all-time work of American architecture" by the American Institute of Architects. Fallingwater was donated to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy by Kaufman's son, and is open to the public.

The drive is certainly worth the effort. While you are in the area, you can enjoy kayaking on the Youghiogheny River. Cumberland, Maryland, about half-an-hour east of Fallingwater, is also fun to visit; there you can visit the C and O Canal Museum.(information for the question came from the Fallingwater web site.)

Answer: Barbara Fritchie

Frederick, Maryland was established in 1745 and is located 47 miles northwest of Washington, D.C. During the American Civil War, Confederate General Stonewall Jackson and his light infantry marched through the town. As legend has it, Union patriot Barbara Fritchie defied the Confederates and hung a Union flag in her window.

As poet John Greenleaf Whittier wrote, Barbara Fritchie called to the Southern troops, 'Shoot if you must, this old gray head, but spare your country's flag,' she said.' To which the gallant Jackson replied 'Who touches a hair on yon gray head, dies like a dog! March on!' he said.' When you visit Frederick, you can see Barbara Fritchie's house, and tour the Museum of Civil War Medicine.

Answer: False

Mt. Vernon is certainly one of America's best known historic homes, and a picture of it appears on the one dollar bill. However, it is not George Washington's birthplace. The first president was born further south in Virginia, on a farm on Pope's Creek. That house burned down in 1779. Years later, in 1936, the site was excavated and the National Park Service established an interesting place for family visits.

The area of the old home is marked with crushed oyster shells. Visitors can view a living farm, which utilizes colonial-period farming methods, and hike along the river. Mt. Vernon, which was Washington's home as an adult, is also fascinating. Maintained by the Mt. Vernon Ladies Trust, Mt. Vernon recently underwent a facelift.

After years of dodging Washington's role as a slave-owner, Mt. Vernon has finally added a model slave cabin to the exhibit.

Answer: A nickel

Thomas Jefferson was undoubtedly one of the most brilliant and versatile people in American history. In addition to serving as the third president of the United States, he was the author of the Declaration of Independence, the founder of the University of Virginia, and a gentleman farmer.

His home, Monticello, located near Charlotsville, Virginia, reflects his many talents and interests. Visitors to Monticello can view many of Jefferson's inventions, including a method for making copies of documents, a water clock, and innovative farming methods. John F. Kennedy, when hosting a dinner for twelve Nobel Prize laureates, was quotes as saying, "I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge that has ever been assembled in the White House, with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone." Monticello was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987. If you visit Monticello in the fall, you can also enjoy the beautiful foliage in Skyline Drive, the scenic highway that runs through Shenandoah National Park.

The United States nickel (five cent coin) has featured a picture of Monticello on the reserve side since 1938, except for the period of 2003-2006.

Answer: Bridgeport, Connecticut

P. T. Barnum was born in Bethel, Connecticut in 1810. A great showman, he is credited with may innovations in American entertainment, including matinee productions and freak shows. His circus, the Barnum and Bailey, was the first to make use of a train. Barnum settled in Bridgeport, Connecticut, where he built several fanciful homes.

The most famous of these is Iranistan, modeled on the Royal Pavilion in Brighton Beach, England. The Barnum Museum contains many interesting exhibits. Perhaps the most enjoyable for children is a one-thousand square foot model of the circus! Bridgeport is also home to the Frisbee Pie company, whose empty pie plates are the original Frisbees! (Information for this question came from the P. T. Barnum Museum web site, and the Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.)

Answer: Atlantic City, New Jersey

Atlantic City, New Jersey, was incorporated in 1854. Linked to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by train, it was a popular beach resort for generations. Atlantic City was famed for its boardwalk, the elegant Traymore hotel, and the amusement parks located at the Steel Pier and Million Dollar pier. Atlantic City was also the inspiration for Charles Darrow's 1935 invention, the board game "Monopoly". Our dad grew up on one of the yellow properties, Ventnor Avenue. Unfortunately, Atlantic City suffered a decline in the late 1960s. The Traymore Hotel, which once dominated the city, was destroyed. In 1974, the city voted to legalize gambling. The multitude of casinos constructed in Atlantic City certainly revived the economy of the city, but it is a different place from the one in which our dad grew up in during the forties, and which we visited in the sixties.

I hope this quiz gave you some good ideas for fun places to visit with your kids if you are traveling on the East Coast of the US. Thanks to Mom and Dad for all the memories!