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Top National Monuments Near Philadelphia

The Antiquities Act of 1906, created by Theodore Roosevelt, gave presidents the right to proclaim any land, objects or structures of historical interest as national monuments or protected areas. Currently, the United States has 117 national monuments and a few of them are within driving distance of Philadelphia. Read on to discover the top national monuments near Philadelphia.
African Burial Ground National Monument
290 Broadway
New York, NY 10007
(212) 637-2019
www.nps.gov/afbg

Although lost due to development for hundreds of years, the African Burial Ground was discovered in 1991 through planned construction, and became a National Monument in 2006. Just an hour and 40 minute drive from Philadelphia, more than 400 intact bodies in wooden coffins buried between the late 1690s and 1794 were found within the 6.6 acre burial ground in New York. Come here to enjoy an outdoor memorial and to learn more about the history behind the African Burial Ground.

Castle Clinton National Monument
Battery Park
New York, NY 10004
(212) 344-7220
www.nps.gov/cacl

Castle Clinton has been a national monument since 1946 and has worn many hats since its construction in 1811. First built to fight off the British forces just before the War of 1812, even though it never saw warfare, it has been used as a theatre, opera house, beer garden, aquarium and immigration station before its current standing as a national monument. Today, Castle Clinton includes a museum and free guided tours.

Fort McHenry National Monument And Historic Shrine
2400 E Fort Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 962-4290
www.nps.gov/fomc

Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine is found in Baltimore and is most famous for the War of 1812, when it held back British forces from overtaking the Baltimore Harbor on September 13-14, 1814. This battle was also the inspiration for Francis Scott Key when he wrote his famous poem, "The Star-Spangled Banner," which later became our national anthem. While here, you'll be able to embark on a self-guided tour of the fort and view the barracks, officer quarters, uniform and weapon displays and more.  Flag change ceremonies take place twice a day, and whenever there is a new flag design, it is first flown over Fort McHenry.

Related: Top Historical Landmarks In Philadelphia

Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Monument
2145 Key Wallace Drive
Cambridge, Maryland, 21613
www.nps.gov/hatu

The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad became a national monument in 2013 and consists of 11,750 acres commemorating the life of the former slave and abolitionist, Harriet Tubman. Located in Maryland, the history here is hidden, just like the Underground Railroad was all those years ago. The monument includes Stewart's Canal, dug by both free and enslaved people by hand for transportation of lumber. This land was also where Tubman learned valuable skills from her father. The monument also includes Jacob Jackson's home site, a man Tubman secretly communicated with to aid in the escape of her family and friends.

President Lincoln's Cottage 
140 Rock Creek Church Road, NW,
Washington D.C. 20011
(202) 829-0436
www.lincolncottage.org

President Lincoln's Cottage at the Soldiers' Home became a national monument in 2000. The Soldiers' Home comprises of 251 acres, yet the monument stands on 2.3 acres. President Lincoln and his family lived in the cottage for many months during his presidency to escape distractions from the city. It is the site where the 16th President developed the first draft of the Emancipation Proclamation. You'll also be able to view a replica of the desk he composed the Proclamation on. The cottage is opened for tours seven days a week and was restored in 2007 to resemble the civil war era.

Related: Top National Parks Near Philadelphia

Kelly Neilson is a freelance writer living and working in Philadelphia. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.
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