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Featuring North Americaʼs Leading Motorcoach Destinations West Virginia Wild and Wonderful

Byways Magazine Vol 26 Issue 2 2009

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Page 1: Byways Magazine Vol 26 Issue 2 2009

Featuring North Americaʼs Leading Motorcoach Destinations

West VirginiaWild and Wonderful

Page 2: Byways Magazine Vol 26 Issue 2 2009

motorcoach.com

motorcoach.com

2 • Byways

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One Internet Form.

One Contact. One Quote.

One Booking. One Invoice.

The On-Line National Reservation Center

Charter a motorcoach anywhere in North America

motorcoach.com

motorcoach.com

Byways • 3

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Welcome to the firstInternet edition

ofByways magazine. For the

first time in 26 years of pub-lishing, we are able to offer

Byways to everyone who has an interestin motorcoach travel in North America.For those of you who are new to Byways,we feature North America’s leadingmotorcoach destinations.

Now, motorcoach charter and touroperators, group leaders, travel agents,meeting planners, and the general motor-coah consumer can subscribe to Byways

absolutely free. Our Internet editionbrings our stories and advertising to life.Click on the links to instantly learn moreabout our features, or to visit our adver-tisers. In future editions we will beadding audio and video as well.

Welcome to West Virginia, Wild and

Wonderful, in the spotlight for the firsttime.

West Virginia, The Mountain State, isone of the most interesting states in theUnion, and the only one that was creat-ed as a result of the Civil War. There aremany Civil War events and re-enact-ments which tell the story of westernVirginia’s secession from its pro-Confederacy eastern brothers.

West Virginia is defined by its moun-tains. With a mean elevation of 1,500feet, West Virginia is the highest stateeast of the Mississippi River and lieswholly within the AppalachianMountain range. Over 75% of the state’s

surface is forested, making it one of themost beautiful states in the country.

With over 2,000 miles of rivers andstreams, West Virginia is recognized as apremier destination for exciting white-water rafting adventures.

It was at Harpers Ferry where JohnBrown, the fiery abolitionist, seized thefederal arsenal in 1859.

His planfailed. He wascaptured onOctober 18 byU.S. ArmyBrevet ColonelRobert E. Leeand a contingent of Marines fromWashington. John Brown and six of hismen were tried for murder, inciting slavesto rebel, and treason, in the JeffersonCounty Courthouse in nearbyCharlestown, Virginia (now CharlesTown, West Virginia), and were hanged.Today many believe that it was JohnBrown’s raid on Harpers Ferry that wasthe real catalyst in beginning the war toend slavery.

Charles Town is known for much moretoday, as it is the gaming center of WestVirginia. With more than 5000 slots anddaily paramutual horse track betting, it isthe center of fun and entertainment inthe Mid-Atlantic states.

In What’s Happening, the Museum ofBus Transportation located in Hershey,Pennsylvania, is explored. The museumcelebrates the continuing role of the busindustry in the mobility and progress of

PREVIEWBy Steve Kirchner, Editor & Publisher

Harpers Ferry,

West Virginia

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FeaturesWest Virginia, Wild and Wonderful . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6New for West Virginia Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14West Virginia, the Most Northern Southern State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16West Virginia: Did You Know? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17John Brown’s Raid on Harpers Ferry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

DepartmentsByways Preview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4What’s Happening

The Museum of Bus Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35Nashville’s Group Friendly Hall of Fame & Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Advertisers Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Coming in future issues of Byways…

Great American Roads, Traveling South, the Top Motorcoach Destinations

of 2010, The Sesquicentennial, the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War,

and much more.

Volume 26, Issue No. 2, 2009

The Potomac Eagle winds its way through the famous Troughsection of the Potomac River in West Virginia, Wild and

Wonderful. For full coverage turn to page 6.

the American public. Antique buses areon display, along with colorful memora-bilia and transportation history.

Finally, the Country Music Hall ofFame and Museum in Nashville shines as

a dynamic group friendly and entertainingexperience.

We hope you enjoy our first Internetedition of Byways.

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West VirginiaWild and Wonderful

Nestled in the mountains of West Virginia, Cass Scenic Railroad State Park

offers excursions that transport you back in time to relive an era when

steam-driven locomotives were an essential part of everyday life.

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Before the Mississippi River defined theWest, West Virginia was the frontierborder. Before roads were mapped, the

mountain trails were steeped in legend. TheMidland Trail, crossing the country fromVirginia and moving westward, was first carvedby buffalo, deer and other animals that foundwater, food and salt supplies along its path. Later,American Indians followed in search of theseimportant supplies. A little later, frontiersmenlooked for homes in this country of hope.

Today, the Midland Trail stretchesfrom Greenbrier County with its historicsites and The Greenbrier Resort, throughFayette County where whitewater raftingand outdoor adventure beckon visitorsand on to Huntington, a historic railroadtown filled with eclectic museums.

West Virginia holds another specialplace in the country’s history. It’s theonly state born of the Civil War. Visitorsto the Mountain State can relive the daysof conflict at one of the many Civil Warre-enactments throughout the state.Start at West Virginia’s Independence

Hall in Wheeling, where an interactiveprogram allows visitors to learn about thedramatic events leading to the secessionof western Virginia from its pro-Confederacy eastern brothers. Civil Warre-enactments occur around the state andinclude costumed re-enactors who set uptraditional campsites and relive the bat-tles. Many include special eveningevents, like Civil War Balls, and everyone offers visitors a look back in time in away no history book can.

Along the eastern borders of the state,heritage has a decidedly national flavor.A young George Washington surveyed inthe Eastern Panhandle area and “took tothe waters” at Berkeley Springs. Thefirearms used by Lewis and Clark in theirdiscovery expedition were forged atHarpers Ferry. And it was at HarpersFerry where John Brown, the fiery aboli-tionist, seized the federal arsenal in 1859.Historic re-enactments, 26 historic sitesand cemeteries in eight counties offerCivil War enthusiasts plenty of places to

The Greenbrier Resort

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trace this War Between theStates. Visitors today can enjoyspas and art, eclectic diningoptions and history in theEastern Panhandle.

Many African-Americanlaborers moved to the state’scoal fields because, while min-ing was not easy, the pay wasbetter than it was on southernUnited States farms and theminers held the same social sta-tus as other immigrant andwhite laborers. In Talcott, visi-tors can see the infamous BigBend Tunnel where JohnHenry, “the Steel Drivin’Man,” pitted his strengthagainst a new steam-powereddrill in the race to build rail-roads across the country. Townslike Institute, Malden,Parkersburg, Harpers Ferry andHuntington offer tributes tosome of this country’s finestblack educators such as BookerT. Washington, Carter G.Woodson and W. E. B. DuBois.

The Greenbrier River area has a gra-cious reputation as a place of culture andrejuvenation. Visitors can drive theSprings Trail and see remnants of theonce-fabulous springs where wealthypatrons traveled by carriage, train andauto to rejuvenate in the mineral waters.The Greenbrier still offers the ages-oldspa treatments along with modern spatechniques to its guests. Along with itscustomary quality services, guests arereminded of another, less friendly, part ofAmerican history when they tour themassive bunker, built as a safe place forthe country’s federal legislators during the

Cold War. The location of the facility,critical to its effectiveness, remained asecret for more than three decades.

In the Northern Panhandle and alongthe Ohio River, historic sites with hands-on programs highlight the changing faceof the country in the early 1800s.

Just outside of Parkersburg,Blennerhassett Island offers a faithfulreproduction of the romantic frontier lifethat Harman and MargaretBlennerhassett came from Ireland to find.The tranquility of their country life wasforever changed when Harman becameentangled in a mysterious military enter-prise with Aaron Burr. Today, visitors

The Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine

and Southern Youth Museum

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cross from Parkersburg to the island on asternwheeler and tour the island on footor by carriage to see what life on a gentle-man’s country estate was like at that time.

Prickett’s Fort State Park, in Fairmont,offers another interactive site for travelersto learn more about frontier history.Again, festivals, fairs and celebrationsmanaged by knowledgeable staffers bringthis historic site to life.

Frontiers can be forged at any time,and Arthurdale in Preston County is acase in point.Arthurdale was thefirst of about 100homestead resettle-ment communitiesthat EleanorRoosevelt supported.Today, the thrivingcommunity with itshomestead homes,community hall andbusiness buildings is a

wonderful place to learn about theDepression era and the hope many placedin President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s NewDeal of the 1930s.

West Virginia is rich in industrial her-itage, and its visitors can tour family-owned glass factories that continue thetradition of producing fine blown glassthat is prized around the world. A won-derful glass museum in Wheeling and aspecial glass exhibit at the HuntingtonMuseum of Art offer wonderful displays

Blennerhassett Island offers a faithful reproduction

of the romantic frontier life.

The West Virginia State

Capitol Complex

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of state work. In southern West Virginia,visitors to the Beckley Exhibition CoalMine and Southern Youth Museum willwant to take sweaters. The ride on a realunderground mine drops 600 feet belowthe ground and the tempera-ture won’t get above the 50s.

West Virginia’s agriculturalheritage can be the base for agreat family weekend.Consider a late spring trip tothe West Virginia StrawberryFestival in Buckhannon. Laterin the year, make time for thePumpkin Festival in Milton.You’ll have some hands-on fundecorating your own pump-kins. And, in between, festi-vals centered around maplesyrup, buckwheat pancakes,black walnuts and ramps offeropportunities to experiencemany Appalachian foods.

In the late 1800s and early1900s, the advent of the rail-road through Appalachiaunlocked West Virginia’sburied natural treasures of coal,timber, natural gas and oil.Dozens of bustling towns

popped up right next to the tracks asindustrial prosperity flooded the hills.More than 100 years later, many of thoseboomtowns transformed to ghost townsand the chief mode of transportation

The Durbin and Greenbrier Valley

Railroad’s Dinner Train

HUNTINGTON, WV TO HINTON, WV ROUND TRIP

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became the automobile. Increasingly,tourists and adventure seekers havebecome the payload for scenic rides alongformerly industrial tracks. Choose froman antique Shay steam locomotive tripon the steep switchback-laden tracks ofthe Cass Scenic Railroad or the open-car,diesel-electric runs of the Potomac Eaglethrough the famous Trough section of thePotomac River. The Durbin andGreenbrier Valley Railroad offers fourunique rail rides on four different lines,including a ride that crisscrosses one ofthe best trout streams in the country andanother that features a steam-poweredClimax locomotive.

Looking for family history can be agreat way to spend time together. Several

stops in the Mountain Statefit the bill for this kind offamily travel outing. Start inCharleston, at the CulturalCenter on the state Capitolcomplex. There theArchives have a wonderfulcollection of information andphotographs from around thestate, including an extensiveCivil War genealogy section.Traveling north, stop at theWest Virginia Genealogicaland Historical Library andMuseum, dedicated to historyin central West Virginia.This center is located in thehistoric Horner School inWeston. In the EasternPanhandle, the Belle BoydHouse, Martinsburg, housesthe Berkeley CountyHistorical Society that servesBerkeley, Jefferson andMorgan counties.

With over 2,000 miles of rivers andstreams, West Virginia is recognized as apremier destination for whitewater raft-ing. River runners class whitewater rapidsaccording to their difficulty, from I to VI.Novices can run I to II stretches withoutguides; segments classified III to V requirereal paddling skills and qualified profes-sional outfitters. Class VI water poses theutmost challenge, not often attempted byeven highly-skilled athletes. WestVirginia now offers float trips that includeno paddling and can be tailored to meetthe needs and time frame of the group.Over 250,000 rafters experience thestate’s whitewater rivers every year.Rafting is available on the New, Cheat,Gauley, Tygart, and Shenandoah Rivers.

12 • Byways National Motorcoach Network, Inc.

With over 2,000 miles of rivers and

streams, West Virginia is recognized as a

premier destination for whitewater rafting.

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New for West Virginia

Group Tours

Discover West Virginia’s history at theinteractive Independence HallMuseum in Wheeling, where you’ll

learn about the state’s tumultuous beginningsand about the “moving” capitol.The museum recently added a rare exhibit of 13West Virginia Civil War regimental flags.

The 150-year-old Wheeling facilitywas selected to house the exhibit becauseof its connection to the Civil War inWest Virginia. Expanding upon existingstatehood exhibits at Independence Hall,the flag displays include historic photosand documents about individual soldiersand regiments as well as interac-tive displays that allow visitors tolearn more about the Civil Warand its soldiers.

The West Virginia State FarmMuseum, near Point Pleasant, andthe Heritage Farm and Museumjust outside of Huntington, bothpay tribute to the agricultural her-itage of the state.

The American MountainTheater in Elkins offers visitorsanother option for musical perfor-mances. Opened in 2007, theTheater is located in the historicElkins Railyard. The musical fam-ily-oriented programs feature con-temporary and classic Country,Bluegrass, Cajun, Western, Swing,Pop and Gospel.

Grave Creek MoundArchaeology Complex inMoundsville has opened a newone-story research center to houseWest Virginia’s archaeologicalcollection. The 9,600 square-foot

wing features a state-of-the-art collec-tions storage area, a conservation labora-tory for curators, study area forresearchers, library and an observationarea where the public can view the activ-ities taking place in the research lab. Operated by the West Virginia Divisionof Culture and History, Grave CreekMound Archaeology Complex featuresone of the largest and most famous burialmounds built by the prehistoric Adenapeople. A massive undertaking, con-struction of the mound took place in suc-cessive stages from about 250-150 B.C.and required the movement of more than60,000 tons of earth.

Heritage Farm and Museum

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West Virginia is the Most

Northern Southern State

West Virginia is the most northern ofthe southern states. It is bordered on thenorthwest by Ohio, on the north byPennsylvania and Maryland, on the eastand southeast by Maryland and Virginiaand on the southwest by Virginia andKentucky. West Virginia has a surfacearea of 24,282.45 square miles, ranking41st among the states in size. The high-est point in the state is Spruce Knob inPendleton County, with an elevation of4,861 feet and the lowest point is HarpersFerry in Jefferson County at an elevationof 247 feet. With a mean elevation of1,500 feet, West Virginia is the higheststate east of the Mississippi River and lieswholly within the AppalachianMountain range. Over 75% ofthe state’s surface is forested,and though there are no natu-rally occurring lakes here, man-made reservoirs are abundant.

Many of North America’slargest metropolitan centers liewithin a 500-mile radius ofCharleston, the state capital. Infact, West Virginia’s borders arewithin a day’s drive of most ofthe eastern United States. The

unique political boundaries of WestVirginia allow it to be both a north-ern and southern state. The north-ern panhandle extends further norththan Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania andthe southern boundary falls south ofRichmond, Virginia.

West Virginia: Did You

Know?

•Outdoor advertising had its ori-gin in Wheeling about 1908 when

the Block Brothers Tobacco Companypainted bridges and barns with the word-ing: “Treat Yourself to the Best, ChewMail Pouch.”

•The first rural free mail delivery wasstarted in Charles Town on October 6,1896, and then spread throughout theUnited States.

•West Virginia was the first state tohave a sales tax, effective July 1, 1921.

•Declared a state by PresidentAbraham Lincoln, West Virginia is theonly state to be designated by PresidentialProclamation in 1863.

•Mother’s Day was first observed atAndrews Church in Grafton on May 10,1908.

•“Mountaineers Are Always Free” isWest Virginia’s motto.

West Virginia Winery

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Wherever you are . . .

West Virginia

Welcomes YouHome!

The Place to Be in Berkeley SpringsThe Country Inn & Five Senses Spa

Historic Town of BathHome of the Berkeley Springs

International Water-Tasting Festival110 S. Washington Street

Berkeley Springs, WV 25411Come “take the waters” at Five Senses Spa

MIDWEEK ESCAPE, and become anHonorary West Virginian

www.thecountryinnatberkeleysprings.com

Stephen Kirchner
866-458-2210
Stephen Kirchner
Stephen Kirchner
Stephen Kirchner
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John Brown’s Raidon Harpers Ferry

Was John Brown a heroic martyr or a terrorist?150th Anniversary Commemorated

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When John Brown came to HarpersFerry, Virginia in October 1859,his target was the federal arsenal.

He was attempting to capture the gunsmade at the federal guns factory, to armthe slaves. His hope was to lead theslaves into the nearby mountains ofMaryland and to freedom.

His plan failed. He was captured onOctober 18 by U.S. Army BrevetColonel RobertE. Lee and a con-tingent ofMarines fromWa s h i n g t o n .Brown and six ofhis men weretried for murder,inciting slaves torebel and treason, in the Jefferson CountyCourthouse in nearby Charlestown,Virginia. They were all convicted andhanged in Charlestown.

Brown himself has been called a “hero-

ic martyr” and a “terrorist”. FrederickDouglass said, “If John Brown did not endthe war that ended slavery, he did at leastbegin the war that ended slavery. If welook over the dates, places, and men, forwhich this honor is claimed, we shall findthat not Carolina, but Virginia--not FortSumter, but Harpers Ferry and the arsenal--not Colonel Anderson, but JohnBrown--began the war that endedAmerican slavery and made this a free

Republic.” Agree or dis-

agree, HarpersFerry NationalHistorical Parkis offering visi-tors a uniquey e a r - l o n gopportunity in

2009 to find out in detail, the short andlong-term effects of the raid at HarpersFerry as it commemorates the 150thanniversary of events leading up to the

After Brown'’s raid, the fire

engine house became

known as "John Brown’s Fort”.

Today it is part of Harpers

Ferry National Historical

Park run by the National

Park Service.

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John Brown raid. The commemoration

actually covers parts offour states, as Virginia,West Virginia, Marylandand Pennsylvania havejoined forces to help tellthe story of John Brownevents in their area.

Those events willinclude the story ofpreparations for the raid,gathering of the men,and the shipping of supplies toChambersburg, Pennsylvania. Eventswill also focus on help given to severalraiders who escaped back toChambersburg from Harpers Ferry.

In Hagerstown, Maryland, the com-memorative activities will focus on theKennedy Farm in the southern part of thecounty where John Brown and his menplanned the raid. It was the place themen walked from to get to Harpers Ferryon October 16, 1859, the first night of theraid.

Frederick, Maryland will have activi-ties relating to three militia companiestied to their fire companies who werecalled out to Harpers Ferry to help quellthe disturbance there.

Charles Town will help tell the story ofthe famous John Brown trial, held in theJefferson County Courthouse in CharlesTown, and the executions, held withinwalking distance of the town’s down-town. The story of the African Americanraiders and of local citizens involvement,including the friendship of John Blessingand John Brown, will be told.

The Harpers Ferry Foundation willhelp depict the story of the effect the raidhad on its town. An exhibit at the train

station will provide information aboutFontaine Beckham, town mayor and oneof the civilian casualties of the raid.Dramatic readings of “John Brown’sBody” will be offered as well.

The Harpers Ferry National HistoricalPark activities cover most of the year,with “In John Brown’s Footsteps” walkingtours, an academic symposium, re-enac-tors depicting Thomas Jefferson,Abraham Lincoln and FrederickDouglass, a teacher’s workshop, and a spe-cial commemoration to Luke Quinn,U.S. Marine and the only military casual-ty of the raid.

On October 16, people will follow thefootsteps of the raiders by walking fromthe Kennedy Farm to Harpers Ferry. Thatweekend, there will be dramatic readings,special exhibits, discussions, book sign-ings and more.

A special website has been developedto help visitors find events and eventinformation for the 150th anniversarycommemoration.

Visit www.johnbrownhf.com for details.Or call the Jefferson County Conventionand Visitors Bureau at 1-866-HELLO-WV.

The Shenandoah River (left) meets the Potomac

River in Harpers Ferry.

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Charles Town Races and Slots

Charles Town Races and Slots is anincredibly varied, friendly, total enter-tainment experience.

It starts with over 5,000 slots, so youwon’t find more variety or fun. Besideshaving the hottest new games, anincreasing number of the slots are high-tech, easy to use, Smart Play/Smart Paycoinless machines.

Come and experience the thrill of livethoroughbred racing all year long. Hometo the West Virginia Breeders Classics,

the Charles TownRaces and Slots offerssome of the nation’sbest ten-race cards,with full field action.Enjoy a chance to beton Simulcast racesfrom the besttracks acrossthe country.When you’renot gaming,there’s a deli-cious variety of

dining options, live entertain-ment, and shopping.

The Inn at Charles Town has a beauti-ful view of the race track, offering firstclass amenities, wireless internet, 42-inchPlasma HD televisions, complimentaryhot Quick-Start Breakfast and shuttle

service to the race track and slot floor.One of the area’s fastest growing destina-tions, Charles Town Races and Slots isjust 10 minutes from Harpers Ferry.

When you want to take a break fromthe action and fun at Charles TownRaces and Slots, Charles Town has a his-

toric district that is easy to tour on foot. Astop at the Jefferson County Museumprovides an interesting look into the his-tory of the county, known as the EasternGateway of West Virginia.

Stephen Kirchner
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The Museum of Bus

Transportation

The motorbus industry occupies a vitalplace in the everyday life of theAmerican public. In rural areas and in

the thousands of towns and cities across thenation, it provides personal transportation formany purposes, carrying more persons dailythan all other public modes of transportationcombined.

The Museum of Bus Transportation inHershey, Pennsylvania, provides muse-um-quality displays of the bus industry toshowcase the industry’s growth anddevelopment in the United States, and tocelebrate the role that the bus industrycontinues to play in the mobility andprogress of the American public. Thismuseum promotes the bus industry, andseeks to be of continuous interest to boththe general public and the bus enthusiast.

To meet this need, the Museum of BusTransportation has partnered with theAntique Automobile Club of AmericaMuseum (AACAM) to establish a jointmuseum.

To provide a picture of the progressivegrowth of the nation’s bus industry, theMuseum of Bus Transportation includesattractive and interesting representativevehicles from 1912 through 1975.

These antique buses are complimentedwith a colorful display of authentic busmemorabilia including bus station signs,bus stop signs, historical photographs, toyand model buses and other interestingitems from these decades.

The museum is located 1-1/4 mileswest of Hershey Park Drive, on Route 39and is open seven days a week, 9:00am to5:00pm. Call 717-566-7100 ext. 119 orvisit www.busmuseum.org.

What’s What’s HappeningHappening

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Nashville’s Group Friendly

Hall of Fame & Museum

The Country Music Hall of Fame andMuseum in Nashville has been thehome of America’s music since its

opening in 1967 on Music Row. In May 2001,the Museum relocated to a new $37 millionbuilding in downtown Nashville.

The facility boasts a vast collectionillustrating country music’s story as toldthrough the years. An immense compila-tion of historic country video clips andrecorded music, dynamic exhibits andstate-of-the-art design, aregular menu of live per-formances and public pro-grams, a museum store,live satellite radio broad-casts, on-site dining andfabulous public spaces allcontribute to an extraor-dinary museum experi-ence.

The museum is espe-cially friendly to motor-coach groups, and hasdesigned a number of spe-

cific tours for groups.Star For A Day: Group Recording

This itinerary begins with a group tourof Historic RCA Studio B. Groups thenwork with a professional sound engineerin a 30-minute, choir-style recording ses-sion. For a nominal fee, each group mem-ber receives his or her own copy of therecording as a one-of-a-kind souvenir.

Groups then tour the Country MusicHall of Fame and Museum for approxi-mately two hours. The tour concludeswith a meal at the world-famousWildhorse Saloon (lunch or dinner

Visitors view the

Wall of Gold

Records

The $37 million Country Music Hall of

Fame and Museum in Nashville

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option available), where groups enjoy lis-tening to their previously recorded songson the Wildhorse Saloon’s state-of-the-art sound system.

The Stories Behind The Songs:

Group Songwriter

After touring the Country Music Hallof Fame and Museum, groups participatein a 45-minute private session with one ofNashville’s accomplished songwriters.Visitors are given insight on the craft ofsongwriting from concept to hit.

These up-close-and-personal sessionsgive guests a rare opportunity to hear rec-ognizable hits in their original forms.Sessions conclude with a meet and greetwith the writer who has his or her record-ings available for purchase and auto-graphs.

The Art of Songwriting: Group

Songwriting

After touring the Country Music Hallof Fame and Museum, group membersjoin one of Music City’s most accom-plished writers for an hour-long session

on the craft of songwriting. By offeringpersonal insight and direction, the writerguides the group in creating an originalsong.

Guests are encouraged to offer lyricideas in an improvisational and unpre-dictable style that keeps the fun rolling.And before the hour is over, the song-writer delights the group one more timeby performing their finished song.

For reservations or more group infor-mation, call 800-852-6437 or 615-416-2001.

Sharing the art of songwriting

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Featuring North America’sLeading Motorcoah Destinations

We created a novel idea -- promote the destinations for the rest of us.

The great destinations in the USA and Canada that areenjoyed by motorcoach group travelers every year.

Now, for the first time, Byways is available with a freesubscription to everyone who has an

interest in North American motorcoach group travel.Click the magazine on the right to be added to the

Byways mailing list. Just type in Free BywaysSubscription in the Subject line and hit send. You’ll

receive the next issue when it becomes available.

Featuring North Americaʼs Leading Motorcoach Destinations

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Featuring North America’sLeading Motorcoah Destinations

Call 800-469-0062 for a Byways media kit. Visit www.motorcoach.com/byways for

editorial calendar and rates

Click Here for yourFree Subscription

Page 40: Byways Magazine Vol 26 Issue 2 2009

40 • Byways

Byways is published bi-monthly by Byways, Inc. and distributed throughout North Americato those who have an interest in motorcoach tours and charters. Byways is the industry’s firstconsumer publication distributed through the internet. Subscriptions are free.

Byways distribution also includes selected motorcoach companies, tour operators, travelagents, bank travel managers, school band and athletic planners, and meeting planners. Foradvertising rates, editorial deadlines, or to place advertising insertions, contact: Byways

Magazine, P.O. 1088, Mount Jackson, VA 22842. Telephone 540-477-3202. Fax 540-477-

3858.©Copyright 2009 by Byways, Inc. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be duplicat-

ed in any form without express written permission of the publisher.

Editor and Publisher

Stephen M. Kirchner

Advertising Director

1.800.469.0062540.477.3202 Fax 540.477.3858

Internet:

www.motorcoach.com/bywaysEmail: [email protected]

Advertisers Index

The Country Inn & Five Senses Spa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17Collis P. Huntington Railroad Historical Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11The Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15Experience Group Friendly Shenandoah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40motorcoach.com/National Reservation Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3Fort Smith, Arkansas Convention & Visitors Bureau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39Hampton Inn & Suites, Nashville, TN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37Nebraska, Who Knew? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Arbor Day Farm - Lied Lodge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24Fremont & Dodge County Convention & Visitors Bureau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25Gothenburg Area Chamber of Commerce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26Grand Island Great Getaways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28International Quilt Study Center & Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29Kearney Visitors Bureau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30Lewis and Clark Scenic Byway 75 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31Discover Lincoln, The Prairie Capital City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32Sarpy County Tourism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33Nebraska, Possibilities Endless . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

South Branch Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Page 42: Byways Magazine Vol 26 Issue 2 2009
Stephen Kirchner
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