California Route 66 Museum

Description

The California Route 66 Museum presents the history of Route 66 and the communities found along this historic highway. Exhibit topics include construction of Route 66; automobile history; highway culture; the economic impact of this road; and historic Victorville, CA. Highlights include roadside attractions from Hula Ville. Contemporary road culture artwork is also displayed.

The museum offers exhibits, an art gallery, and research library access.

Heritage Center Museum of Lancaster County [PA]

Description

The Heritage Center Museum of Lancaster County presents the history of life in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The museum collection focus is the decorative arts used throughout Lancaster residences. The museum is housed within the 1790s former city hall and Masonic Lodge No. 43. The city hall served as the state capitol building between 1799 and 1812.

The museum offers exhibits, guided tours, an exhibit tour and activity program for students, 45- to 60-minute outreach presentations for students, a self-guided walking tour of Lancaster for students, traveling trunks, teacher professional development workshops, and summer camps. All groups interested in a guided tour must call ahead. Student educational opportunities are curriculum-based.

Hermitage Foundation [VA]

Description

The Hermitage Museum and Gardens consists of an early 20th century historic house museum with a worldwide art collection and contemporary exhibition galleries, surrounded by twelve acres of formal gardens and natural woodlands, educational wetlands, a Visual Arts School, and a Studio Artists Program.

The Foundation offers a variety of tours and special programs which can be catered to schoolchildren, individuals, or adult group tours. The Foundation also offers periodic special events, including special art exhibits and presentations. The website offers visitor information, a history of the site, and an events calendar.

Burlington County Historical Society and Museums [NJ]

Description

The Burlington County Historical Society operates three house museums furnished in period style—the 1743 Bard-How House, circa 1780 James Fenimore Cooper House, and Captain James Lawrence House. The Cooper House was the birthplace of James Fenimore Cooper (1789-1851), author of The Last of the Mohicans; and now contains items from the estate of Napoleon's brother. The Lawrence House served as the boyhood home of Captain James Lawrence (1781-1813), who died in the War of 1812, best known for initiating the battle cry, "Don't give up the ship!" The society also maintains a research library and an exhibit on production history within Burlington County, NJ.

The society offers exhibits, research library access, period rooms, and guided house museum tours.

San Luis Obispo County Historical Society, Museum, and the Dallidet Adobe [CA]

Description

The San Luis Obispo County Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of San Luis Obispo County, California. To this end, the society operates the Historical Museum and the Dallidet Adobe. The museum, housed within the circa 1905 Carnegie Library building, offers exhibits of local historical interest. The Dallidet Adobe is decorated with furnishings which once belonged to the Dallidet family. The grounds include an arbor and Mediterranean garden.

The museum offers exhibits, a children's activity room, student tours, research rooms, and research assistance. The Dallidet Adobe offers gardens and school tours. Reservations are required for school tours.

Williamson Museum [TX]

Description

The Williamson Museum presents the history of Williamson County, Texas. Exhibits address Swedish immigration, an overview of 13,000 years of local history, cowboys, and local communities and towns.

The museum offers exhibits, group tours of the museum, group walking tours of the Courthouse Square, guided tours of the Williamson County Courthouse, museum overnights, a summer camp, hands-on activities, traveling trunks, and hands-on outreach presentations for students. School tours are designed to meet state curricula for second through seventh grade, and must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance. The outreach presentations are designed for kindergarten through second grade. The traveling trunks are designed for third through seventh grade; and topics include pioneer life, the Chisholm Trail, life as a cowboy, Swedish immigrants, and archaeology. The website offers historic images.

Kaua'i Historical Society [HI]

Description

The Kaua'i Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the unique historical heritage of the Hawaiian island of Kaua'i. The society works with local historic sites in order to expand their offerings, often offering tours and other special events across the island.

The society offers tours of local historic sites, special events including presentations and performances, and a historical archive. The website offers information about historic sites on the island, information regarding upcoming events, and a history of the island.