Carlisle Barracks
Carlisle Barracks is the home of the U.S. Army War College, and is the second oldest Army Post in the country. This is an excellent opportunity to explore and learn firsthand about America's rich and historic military history. The Army's first war educational institution had its inception behind these historic walls. Any artillery enthusiast will be able to step back in time to the year 1778, and relive the exciting and early days of the nations first military school.
It was within these ancient walls with 14,000 troops-that General Washington quelled the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794. Like today, taxes were also a major concern as well for the people of those times.
There is ample time and opportunity, to tour the barracks either by car or foot, and there are numerous memorials and sites of interest that you won't want to miss. A must-see stop is the Hessian Powder Magazine Museum-which was actually a powder magazine itself. The four-foot thick walls did a good job of protecting the powder from going up in one big bang. The area in and around the barracks, also hosts one of the nations largest collections of military documents. Here you'll find photographs, letters, and books of illimitable value to historians, researchers, and the layperson alike.
The tour is free with no required reservations. And when you feel the need to rest and refresh yourself from all of the military and historical stimuli, there are numerous places in Carlisle to eat and rest. This is truly an enjoyable and unforgettable tour for the true history buff.
