Guide
Historic Downtowns to Explore This Summer
In these charming communities, you’ll uncover a passion for history found everywhere—from eclectic restaurants, galleries, and shops to Main Streets decorated with new and historic murals.
Get to know these historic downtowns and destinations and find out how much they truly have to offer—included in Preservation magazine’s summer 2025 issue as part of the "Historic Downtowns" advertising special.
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Photo By: Clark Lupton
Red Hill-Patrick Henry National Memorial, Virginia
Explore Red Hill, Patrick Henry’s final home! Tour his reconstructed house, original law office, and grave. Discover Quarter Place, honoring the enslaved individuals vital to its legacy. Walk in Henry’s footsteps and experience history firsthand. Visit www.redhill.org for events and plan your unforgettable journey today!
Learn More
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Photo By: Visit LaGrange
Mulberry Street Cemetery, LaGrange, Georgia
An hour south of Atlanta in LaGrange, Georgia, a new historical restoration project is scheduled to be completed in Summer 2025. The Mulberry Street Cemetery is a major initiative aimed at revitalizing, preserving, and highlighting the historical significance of the site. It honors and recognizes those in unmarked graves, incorporates comprehensive educational elements, showcases regional and local history, and creates a vibrant public space for community engagement. The Mulberry Street Cemetery has been the final resting place for individuals from diverse backgrounds, including Confederate Soldiers, enslaved individuals who played vital roles during the Civil War, and more than 1,000 unmarked graves. This historic cemetery is also home to Horace King, a former slave who rose to become an accomplished engineer, bridge builder, and state legislator. For more information, visit us.
Learn More
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Photo By: Cape Girardeau
Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Discover the rich history of Cape Girardeau, one of Missouri’s oldest Mississippi River towns, offering visitors an enchanting blend of history, culture and natural beauty. Cape is home to many historic sites, museums, monuments and murals as well as a vibrant riverfront downtown featuring eclectic shops and boutiques as well as local casual and fine dining, not to mention a full-service casino and hotel. Hikers and bikers have miles of paved and unpaved trails in town, including Trail of Tears State Park.
Learn More
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Photo By: Discover Saint Charles
Greater St. Charles, Missouri
Born from bold explorers and artful traders, St. Charles blends its daring French heritage with a down-to-earth Missouri attitude. We’re historically awesome, rich in culture, and abundant with playful experiences. Explore our authentic Main Street, legendary river, lush parks and trails, our vibrant casino, wineries, and genuine hospitality. Make memories in the midst of our illustrious history, Discover Saint Charles.
Learn More
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Photo By: Cimarron Management
Marfa House, Texas
Marfa House offers comfortable accommodations in a restored 19th century adobe railroad hotel located in the heart of the historic district of Marfa, Texas, steps from art galleries, restaurants, and shops. Marfa is a hub of contemporary and cutting-edge art in mountainous West Texas.
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Historic Downtowns to Explore This Summer
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1
Red Hill-Patrick Henry National Memorial, Virginia
Explore Red Hill, Patrick Henry’s final home! Tour his reconstructed house, original law office, and grave. Discover Quarter Place, honoring the enslaved individuals vital to its legacy. Walk in Henry’s footsteps and experience history firsthand. Visit www.redhill.org for events and plan your unforgettable journey today! -
2
Mulberry Street Cemetery, LaGrange, Georgia
An hour south of Atlanta in LaGrange, Georgia, a new historical restoration project is scheduled to be completed in Summer 2025. The Mulberry Street Cemetery is a major initiative aimed at revitalizing, preserving, and highlighting the historical significance of the site. It honors and recognizes those in unmarked graves, incorporates comprehensive educational elements, showcases regional and local history, and creates a vibrant public space for community engagement. The Mulberry Street Cemetery has been the final resting place for individuals from diverse backgrounds, including Confederate Soldiers, enslaved individuals who played vital roles during the Civil War, and more than 1,000 unmarked graves. This historic cemetery is also home to Horace King, a former slave who rose to become an accomplished engineer, bridge builder, and state legislator. For more information, visit us. -
3
Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Discover the rich history of Cape Girardeau, one of Missouri’s oldest Mississippi River towns, offering visitors an enchanting blend of history, culture and natural beauty. Cape is home to many historic sites, museums, monuments and murals as well as a vibrant riverfront downtown featuring eclectic shops and boutiques as well as local casual and fine dining, not to mention a full-service casino and hotel. Hikers and bikers have miles of paved and unpaved trails in town, including Trail of Tears State Park. -
4
Greater St. Charles, Missouri
Born from bold explorers and artful traders, St. Charles blends its daring French heritage with a down-to-earth Missouri attitude. We’re historically awesome, rich in culture, and abundant with playful experiences. Explore our authentic Main Street, legendary river, lush parks and trails, our vibrant casino, wineries, and genuine hospitality. Make memories in the midst of our illustrious history, Discover Saint Charles. -
5
Marfa House, Texas
Marfa House offers comfortable accommodations in a restored 19th century adobe railroad hotel located in the heart of the historic district of Marfa, Texas, steps from art galleries, restaurants, and shops. Marfa is a hub of contemporary and cutting-edge art in mountainous West Texas.
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1
Red Hill-Patrick Henry National Memorial, Virginia
Explore Red Hill, Patrick Henry’s final home! Tour his reconstructed house, original law office, and grave. Discover Quarter Place, honoring the enslaved individuals vital to its legacy. Walk in Henry’s footsteps and experience history firsthand. Visit www.redhill.org for events and plan your unforgettable journey today! -
2
Mulberry Street Cemetery, LaGrange, Georgia
An hour south of Atlanta in LaGrange, Georgia, a new historical restoration project is scheduled to be completed in Summer 2025. The Mulberry Street Cemetery is a major initiative aimed at revitalizing, preserving, and highlighting the historical significance of the site. It honors and recognizes those in unmarked graves, incorporates comprehensive educational elements, showcases regional and local history, and creates a vibrant public space for community engagement. The Mulberry Street Cemetery has been the final resting place for individuals from diverse backgrounds, including Confederate Soldiers, enslaved individuals who played vital roles during the Civil War, and more than 1,000 unmarked graves. This historic cemetery is also home to Horace King, a former slave who rose to become an accomplished engineer, bridge builder, and state legislator. For more information, visit us. -
3
Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Discover the rich history of Cape Girardeau, one of Missouri’s oldest Mississippi River towns, offering visitors an enchanting blend of history, culture and natural beauty. Cape is home to many historic sites, museums, monuments and murals as well as a vibrant riverfront downtown featuring eclectic shops and boutiques as well as local casual and fine dining, not to mention a full-service casino and hotel. Hikers and bikers have miles of paved and unpaved trails in town, including Trail of Tears State Park. -
4
Greater St. Charles, Missouri
Born from bold explorers and artful traders, St. Charles blends its daring French heritage with a down-to-earth Missouri attitude. We’re historically awesome, rich in culture, and abundant with playful experiences. Explore our authentic Main Street, legendary river, lush parks and trails, our vibrant casino, wineries, and genuine hospitality. Make memories in the midst of our illustrious history, Discover Saint Charles. -
5
Marfa House, Texas
Marfa House offers comfortable accommodations in a restored 19th century adobe railroad hotel located in the heart of the historic district of Marfa, Texas, steps from art galleries, restaurants, and shops. Marfa is a hub of contemporary and cutting-edge art in mountainous West Texas.