Fredericksburg, the unofficial capital of the Texas Hill Country, was founded in 1846 by German immigrants. It sits just 70 miles northwest of San Antonio and 75 miles west from Austin.
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| Old fashion murals adorn buildings. (Julianne G. Crane) |
The town has maintained its charm by preserving much of the 19-century regional architecture and institutions of historical importance; and by encouraging the development of a central Texan feel for its Main Street’s shops, galleries, brew pubs and restaurants. (There is a local German Bakery that deserves a visit.)
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| George H.W. Bush Gallery (Source: WikiMedia Commons) |
One of the major local historic attractions is the six-acre National Museum of the Pacific War which is the only museum in the “continental United States dedicated exclusively to telling the story of the Pacific Theater battles of World War II.” The Museum includes the Admiral Nimitz State Historic Site and Museum, the George H.W. Bush Gallery, Pacific Combat Zone, Plaza of Presidents, Memorial Courtyard, Japanese Garden of Peace, and the Nimitz Education and Research Center.
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| Admiral Nimitz Museum (Source: WikiMedia Commons) |
The whole complex started back in the mid-60s with an idea of a museum honoring native son, Admiral Chester William Nimitz, Commander-in-Chief of Allied Forces, Pacific Ocean Area, who died in 1966. In 2000, the complex was renamed Admiral Nimitz State Historic Site – National Museum of the Pacific War National Museum of the Pacific War.
Of particular appeal is the Nimitz Hotel built in 1852 by the Admiral’s grandfather. “Locals referred to it as the Steamboat Hotel because of the ship’s bow front. The hotel had its own saloon and brewery, a ballroom that doubled as a theatre, a smokehouse, and a bath-house.” The hotel was restored to its original design and renamed the Admiral Nimitz Museum by an act of the Texas legislature in 1969.
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| Click on map to enlarge |
IF YOU GO:
The National Museum of The Pacific War
Address: 340 E Main St, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Phone: (830) 997-8600
URL: www.pacificwarmuseum.org
Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily, except on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas
Admission:
WWII Veterans: Free
Adults: $14; Seniors 65+: $12
Military w/ID (active or retired): $10
Children 6+ and Students w/ID: $7; Children 5 and under: Free
The entire complex is accessible and the museum provides wheelchairs and motorized chairs free of charge for those who need them to tour the Museum Complex.
Click here for more information about Fredericksburg.
To read more RV lifestyle articles written by Julianne G. Crane, go to RVWheelLife.com
Check out the memorial bricks in the courtyard.
While traveling through Texas my son mentioned this museum and we went and could not have been more impressed! This is a treasure and well worth the stop to visit. The entry fee entitles you to 2 days of visitation and the town is wonderful. Don't miss this one if you're a history buff.
Fredericksburg is one of those towns that once you've found it, you keep going back … and for RVers, there is the nearby Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park RV Campground … go to http://www.rvwheellife.com/?p=546 next to a golf course.