Sure, dad will love his travel gadgets and gizmos this Father’s Day, but don’t forget to carve out some time where you can spend the day together.
We’ve got five historic sites where you can explore some of the real stories behind this special day.
Even if your father isn’t a history buff, there are plenty of historical tidbits to keep him–and the rest of the family–busy on his special day.
Father’s Day Centennial Celebration
Bet you didn’t know Spokane, Washington, is considered the birthplace of Father’s Day. And this year is especially momentous as it’s the unofficial 100th anniversary of this special day.
Sonora Smart Dodd, the daughter of a single father and Civil War Veteran, began advocating for Father’s Day in 1909 after she was inspired by a Mother’s Day sermon. The first-ever day to honor dear old dad came to fruition just one year later.
Between now and June 20, Spokane is celebrating with several events, including a father/daughter dance, a downtown winery tour, and kayaking and white-water rafting trips. Dad might also like “Papa’s Pale Ale” a special June-only seasonal brew being served in many Spokane restaurants, made by the nearby Coeur d’Alene Brewing Company. There’s even a “Star Wars in Concert” event featuring an 83-piece orchestra, 30-piece choir, and edited footage on a three-story tall, high-definition LED screen. Trust us, it’s a day that dad won’t soon forget.
More Father’s Day ideas: Father’s Day Gifts for Traveling Dads
Plymouth Notch Historic District
Here’s a little dad-centric trivia: President Calvin Coolidge was the first president to publicly support plans for a national Father’s Day back in 1924 (although it didn’t become official for another several decades).
Not only that, but Coolidge considered his father as his closest friend and the most influential person in his life. (To this day he is the only president to have his father perform his presidential inauguration.)
So take some time to enjoy a trip to historic Plymouth Notch, Vermont, the birthplace and boyhood home of Coolidge. A $20 family pass includes access to more than 15 historic locations the Coolidge Homestead, furnished, as it was when Calvin Coolidge took the Oath of Office. Make sure to stop by The Plymouth Cheese Factory, established by his father in 1890, for free samples.
Find more ideas in our Museums section.
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park
OK, so Sonora Smart Dodd came up with the idea, President Coolidge championed it, but it wasn’t until 1966 that President Lyndon B. Johnson designated it a national holiday on third Sunday in June.
The Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park is located in Johnson City, Texas where LBJ’s grandfather served as a park ranger in the 1860s. Visitors can choose from guided and self-guided tours of the Boyhood Home, Johnson Settlement, LBJ Ranch, and the Texas White House.
Driving permits are free, and the only fee for the indoor tour of the restored and open areas of the Texas White House are $2 for visitors ages 18 and up. A variety of nearby attractions make this site particularly suitable for a family trip: Pedernales Fall State Park and Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site both have hiking trails and swimming areas. The LBJ Library and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center are also within driving distance.
For more, check out a Travel Roundup of Presidential Libraries & Museums.
The Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
Even after Johnson’s presidential declaration, Father’s Day still wasn’t signed into law until 1972 under President Richard Nixon. The Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in Yorba Linda, California (about 15 minutes from Disneyland) is home to the 1967 Lincoln Continental Limousine used by him, Johnson, and Ford. Be sure to check out the Sikorsky VH 3A “Sea King” helicopter used by Nixon during his presidency currently on loan from the National Museum of the Marine Corps.
George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens
Finally, going back in time a bit, a historical celebration of Father’s Day would not be complete without recognizing the Father of The Founding Fathers, George Washington. Located just 16 miles south of Washington, D.C., the 500-acre Mount Vernon Estate includes 20 structures, 50 acres of gardens, a museum, greenhouse, memorials, tombs, and a large collection of artifacts.
As the former home to George Washington, Father’s Day Weekend at Mount Vernon is full of scheduled activities. A George Washington greets visitors and poses for pictures, and discusses his role as a stepfather, husband, and the President in the “Father to the First Family” program held throughout the day. Admission to the George Washington Distillery & Gristmill is free for Father’s Day with the purchase of a ticket to Mount Vernon ($15 adults, $7 children). Mount Vernon also offers walking tours and sightseeing cruises on the Potomac River.
By Jessica Kate Soberman for PeterGreenberg.com.
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