Mount Vernon is undoubtedly one of America’s most famous and historic homes. George and Martha Washington took on this home after George’s father lived in it. The exterior stone appearance was actually wood carved to look like stone – an attempt to make it appear more expensive than it actually was. The small farmhouse expanded and renovated over the years into what it is today.
Today the museum features tours, an education center, a museum, and fine dining. Also in Virginia: Thomas Jefferson’s plantation house, located in Monticello, is another president’s residence that is a popular tourist attraction in the historic state of Virginia.
Wyoming - Trail End
John Benjamin Kendrick built this Revival-style mansion for him and his family in Sheridan, Wyoming. Even though he did not get to complete it as he wished, the home is still beautifully built, and a fine piece of architecture. The interior of the home has been preserved, changing little over the years.
The house now offers group tours as well as school tours and trips. Fun events like Murder Mystery nights are held at the mansion, along with weddings and photo shoots. Also in Wyoming: Located in Kemmerer, Wyoming is the first J.C. Penney store, and nearby is the birthplace of James Cash Penney.
West Virginia - Pearl S. Buck Birthplace
The Pulitzer and Nobel Prize-winning author Pearl S. Buck, known for writing the novel "The Good Earth," was born here in Hillsboro, West Virginia. She lived in this home when her parents left to do missionary work in China. Pearl was the first woman to win the Nobel Prize for Literature, and guided tours of the house elucidate on her writings and what went into her creative process.
Pearl was also a social justice champion and visitors are taught all about the struggle Pearl faced to make her voice heard. Also in West Virginia: The “Pumpkin House,” located in Kenova, is one of the state’s most popular Halloween attractions, as many residents come to celebrate the holiday here.
Nevada - Mackay Mansion
The Mackay Mansion definitely has a haunted reputation behind it. In fact, Johnny Depp claimed to have seen the apparition of a little girl dressed in all white during the filming of 1995’s "Dead Man." There are years of evidence that point to this house being haunted, and it was named one of Virginia City’s most haunted places.
If you are brave enough to see this for yourself, the house is available for tours. Also in Nevada: The Sears-Ferris House is located in Carson City, and it is the boyhood home of George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr. (aka the inventor of the Ferris wheel).
South Dakota - Laura Ingalls Wilder's House
This house is dubbed as “The Little House on the Prairie,” and rightfully so. The home is where Laura Ingalls Wilder spent her years reminiscing about childhood memories that inspired her most famous works. She was never materialistic, as she believed any home larger than this one would be deemed unnecessary for her lifestyle.
Tours today offer an inside look into Wilder's life, as well as offer plenty of events for the whole family to enjoy. Also in South Dakota: The Victorian Pettigrew Home is the residence of Senator Richard Franklin Pettigrew. He aided in the founding of many communities around Sioux Falls.