Dear Friend of HSM,

Did you know that we run historical motor coach tours?

The Michiganders on the Road™ motor coach tour program was developed by HSM to allow Michiganders to experience the culture and heritage of all 50 states with a group of like-minded history enthusiasts. Each tour is handcrafted by me, HSM’s director of education, and includes one-of-a-kind itineraries featuring historical stops, museums, local attractions, nightly dining experiences in local restaurants, and comfortable accommodations at modern chain hotels.

One of our upcoming tours is a trip to the Hudson River Valley from July 12 to 20. Are you interested in exploring an area rich with vast scenes of natural beauty, culture, and fascinating history? Would you like to see what all the fuss is about? Are you looking to experience local history around the United States, where all the details are handled for you?

Join us as we enjoy some of the sites that have inspired Americans through the generations—including the Steamtown National Historic Site, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Franklin D. Roosevelt Library and Museum, Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site, Olana State Historic Site, Historic Huguenot Street, Lyndhurst Mansion, and Philipsburg Manor. The Hudson River Valley is the site of several key battles of the American Revolutionary War, and in more recent history, countless painters from across the United States and around the globe have found artistic inspiration in the valley’s brilliant scenery. That’s why we’re calling this excursion “Painter & Patriots: Hudson River Valley Tour.”

This 9-day, 8-night tour from July 12 to 20 is a fantastic package deal with all dinners, breakfasts, accommodations, entrance fees, and transportation included for $1,995 per person.

Walk through our 9-days on the road with the itinerary attached to this e-mail, or learn more on our website.

Where are we going? Take a peek at some of our tour stops along our 9-day itinerary:

· Steamtown National Historic Site – Steam locomotives galore! We’ll have a train ride, behind-the-scenes tour, and guided tour.

· U.S. Military Academy at West Point – America’s oldest continuously operating military post. We’ll explore its cemetery, visitors center, and galleries.

· Franklin D. Roosevelt Home, Museum, and Top Cottage – A 300-acre site, the home of America’s only 4-term president is vast and worth an entire day of exploration.

· Val-Kill – Eleanor Roosevelt’s home, this site was saved from destruction and stands as a living history memorial for the former First Lady.

· Olana State Historic Site – The home of painter Frederick Church, this site is an icon of naturalistic landscape design which we’ll thoroughly explore.

· Hudson River Cruise – Sit back and relax on a two-hour narrated sight-seeing cruise on the Rip Van Winkle.

· Locust Grove & New Paltz – An Italianate villa from 1851 and a guided tour of Historic Huguenot Street in New Paltz, founded in 1678.

· Lyndhurst Mansion – A famous stone Gothic Revival mansion featuring turrets and a tower, this mansion was listed by Forbes magazine as one of America’s most beautiful mansions.

· Philipsburg Manor – Philipsburg Manor was part of a Dutch patroonship and its legacy still stands, including the Old Dutch Church.

· Sunnyside & Sleepy Hollow – the home of America’s “Founding Father of Literature,” Washington Irving.

· Boscobel House & Gardens – Built from 1804 to 1808, this Federal-style home is a picturesque last stop before we travel home.

· And more!

I hope you’ll consider joining us this July. Our Michiganders on the Road program is a great way to experience American history, meet new friends, and engage with HSM. For more information, please call or e-mail me at (517) 324-1828 or myers@hsmichigan.org. We can’t wait to have you join us!

Sincerely,

Robert Myers

Director of Education

Historical Society of Michigan

5815 Executive Dr.

Lansing, MI 48911

Phone: (517) 324-1828

Fax: (517) 324-4370

Email: myers@hsmichigan.org

Web: www.hsmichigan.org