Greenbelt Museum [MD]

Description

Greenbelt was developed as a New Deal planned community in 1937. A historic house museum presents middle class life during the Great Depression and World War II. Years depicted range from 1936 to 1952. Furnishings within the interior were designed by the New Deal’s Special Skills Division. Thew New Deal, introduced by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt between 1933 and 1935, sought to offer relief to the unemployed and stimulate the economy of the Great Depression era (1929-the late 1930s or early 1940s).

The museum offers guided tours, exhibits, lectures, educational programs, self-guided walking tours, and 90-minute guided walking tours.

Peoria Historical Society [IL]

Description

The Peoria Historical Society is dedicated to the preservation of the historical heritage of Peoria, Illinois. The society owns and operates two historic house museums in the center of Peoria, as well as a research library.

The society offers guided tours of the historic house museums, weekly tours of different parts of Peoria, summer camps, and research resources. The website offers information regarding upcoming events, visitor information, and historical information regarding Peoria.

Shoal Creek Living History Museum [MO]

Description

The Shoal Creek Living History Museum consists of a village with over 20 authentic 19th century buildings. The buildings range from a log cabin to an antebellum brick mansion home. The museum is dedicated to bringing 19th century Missouri history to life.

The museum offers guided tours, demonstrations, workshops, and re-enactments. The website offers visitor information and an events calendar.
Shoal Creek Living History Museum is a village of more than 20 authentic 19th century buildings. The buildings date from 1807-1885 and include log cabin and clapboard structures to an antebellum brick mansion home.

Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park [CA]

Description

Originally built in 1856 by Gold Rush merchant Sheldon Fogus, the Mansion was later purchased and remodeled (twice) by Leland and Jane Stanford. Leland Stanford served as Governor of California from 1862–1863. The Mansion served as the office of three governors during the turbulent 1860s: Leland Stanford, Fredrick Low, and Henry Haight. Today, it stands as an example of the splendor and elegance of the Victorian era in California. On a tour of the 19,000-square-foot Mansion visitors will see 17-foot ceilings, gilded mirrors and detailed carved moldings, restored woodwork, 19th-century crystal and bronze light fixtures, historic paintings, recreated carpeting and draperies based on photographs from the 1870s to match the original interior design; original period furnishings that belonged to the Stanfords; and 19th-century-style gardens.

The site offers a short film, exhibits, tours, and occasional recreational and educational events.

Lower Saucon Township Historical Society [PA]

Description

The Lower Saucon Township Historical Society is dedicated to the preservation of the historical heritage of the Lower Saucon Township as well as the larger Bethlehem area. The society owns and operates a local one room schoolhouse, which has been renovated recently and is open to the public.

The society offers guided tours and field trip programs. The website offers visitor information as well as a brief history of the Lower Saucon Township.

Joseph Priestley House [PA]

Description

When Joseph Priestley (1733–1804) is remembered today, it is usually for his 1774 discovery, in England, of oxygen. Few know he was a noted theologian, political progressive, and prolific author whose scientific contributions include the development of the carbonation process, the identification of carbon monoxide, and early experiments in electricity. He counted Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and James Watt among his friends. Yet Priestley was also a controversial figure whose views were so odious to some of his countrymen that his house, Fair Hill in Birmingham, was burned in a riot, and he and his family left England. Priestley spent the last 10 years of his life in Northumberland, PA, where he continued his work in science, religion, and education. But even in this democratic republic his liberal ideas were frequently received with intolerance, and the peace that he so ardently desired was often elusive. Today, the Joseph Priestley House is an historic site that preserves and interprets the contributions and significance to American history of Joseph Priestley, noted English theologian, educator, natural philosopher, and political theorist.

The house offers a short film, exhibits, tours, educational programs, research library access, and occasional recreational and educational events (including living history events).

Los Encinos State Historic Park [CA]

Description

Los Encinos State Historic Park was the hub of Rancho El Encino. Located in the San Fernando Valley, this California rancho includes the original nine-room de la Ossa Adobe, the two-story limestone Garnier building, a blacksmith shop, a natural spring, and a pond. Located along a significant travel route between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, the property passed through many hands between the 1840s and the early 20th century. Today, the park contains exhibits related to the agricultural enterprises of Rancho El Encino's various owners, including Mission Indian, Mexican Californio, French, and French Basque families.

The site offers exhibits, tours, and living history events.

Preserve Rhode Island [RI]

Description

Preserve Rhode Island is dedicated to preserving historic structures throughout Rhode Island. In addition to their activities as an advocacy organization, the organization currently owns five historic buildings, which are all open to the public as historic house museums.

The organization offers tours of their historic properties. The website offers visitor information as well as information regarding the organization's programs and activities.

Covina Valley Historical Society [CA]

Description

The Covina Valley Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the historical heritage of Covina and West Covina, California, which today are suburbs of Los Angeles. The society maintains two buildings, a local history museum housed in the Firehouse Jail Museum, and the Heritage House, which serves as a historic house museum.

The society offers exhibits, guided tours, and special events. The website offers a brief history of the society as well as visitor information.

Bay County Historical Society [MI]

Description

The Bay County Historical Society works to preserve the history of Bay County, Michigan. The society has been in existence since 1919, and today is headquartered in the former National Guard Armory. The armory also serves as a showcase for the society's extensive archives.

The society offers tours of their headquarters. The website offers visitor information and general information regarding the society.