Whole Story

Traveling on vacation this summer?  Many of our stores are around the corner from some of your favorite summer destinations. Sure school’s out, but history doesn’t stop at the books! What better way to learn about history than to get out there and see where history took place for yourself? Create some history of your own by checking out the 3 M’s this summer: monuments, memorials and museums! Each of these historical destinations offers plenty of opportunities to learn about the past while having fun in the present — and remember to check out our store list to see which of our stores are near your points of interest. Atlanta Atlanta is a fast-growing, modern city with a rich history in the heart of the South.  One must-see spot in Atlanta is The King Center, the official memorial dedicated to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, which features exhibits about Dr. King’s life, work and philosophy. If you’re a fan of Gone With the Wind, visit the Margaret Mitchell House where Mitchell wrote the famous novel. (Which later, of course, became a famous movie. Who can forget Scarlett O’Hara in that iconic green dress?) If you’re an Olympics fan, the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games took place in Atlanta, represented today as a 21-acre Centennial Olympic Park that includes the giant Fountain of Rings, an interactive fountain in the shape of the Olympic Rings that has synchronized music shows four times a day. Local Whole Foods Markets: Ponce de Leon, Briarcliff, West Paces Ferry, Sandy Springs

Washington, DC

It’s hard to find a part of Washington, DC that’s not tied to some part of history, whether recent or long ago. After you make the obligatory stop at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue for a tour (don’t forget to submit a request through a Member of Congress prior to your trip!), make sure to visit the many monuments and memorials nearby. For a wide array of museums, check out the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the International Spy Museum and the Smithsonian Institution, a multi-campus complex including 19 museums and galleries, including the National Zoological Park, the American History Museum, Natural History Museum and the Air and Space Museum. Don’t forget to visit the Library of Congress and the Supreme Court Building if you’re a budding history buff! Local Whole Foods Markets: Georgetown, P Street, Tenleytown

San Antonio

One of the most famous lines to come out of San Antonio has to be the well-known battle cry, “Remember the Alamo!” The site of a critical stand-off during the Texas Revolution, the Alamo was defended and lost by legends like Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie. (Fun fact: Did you know that rock musician Phil Collins owns what may be the largest private collection of Alamo memorabilia in the world?) Just a few steps away from the Alamo, you can cruise or walk along the River Walk, which stemmed from one of Roosevelt’s New Deal programs, establishing a scenic path along the San Antonio River. For a slightly different take on history, visit Six Flags Fiesta Texas, an amusement park with a theme representing the six flags that flew over the state at various times—France, Spain, Mexico, the Confederacy, Texas and the United States. Local Whole Foods Markets: Alamo Quarry

Philadelphia

Until 1830, Philadelphia was the largest city in the United States. Nicknamed “the City of Brotherly Love,” Philly is home to many points of historical interest, including the Liberty Bell, the National Constitution Center and Independence Hall, which are all within blocks of each other. For glimpses of famous people past, visit the Betsy Ross House to see where the wife, working mother and entrepreneur lived when she made the first American Flag, stop by the Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site or follow Benjamin Franklin’s footsteps in a walking tour. (Tasty tidbit: Not to be overshadowed by Philly cheesesteaks, Philadelphia once had a pretzel museum and is considered home to the soft pretzel.) Local Whole Foods Market: South Street, Callowhill

Birmingham

A city founded at the crossing of two railroad tracks, Birmingham flourished on its iron and steel industry in the first part of the 20^th century. Reflecting that history is the city’s unofficial city symbol, Vulcan, patterned after the mythical Roman god of the forge (and the largest cast iron statue in the world). In the 1960’s, change began as the city became infamous for its clashes over race equality. The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute remembers that time by promoting civil and human rights worldwide, as well as in the Birmingham History Center, whose exhibits also explore other facets of Birmingham’s rich history. Local Whole Foods Markets: Mountain Brook Does your city have some cool pieces of history? Leave a comment to let us know where we can find some glimpses of the past!