Tidewater Maritime Living History Association [VA]

Description

The Tidewater Maritime Living History Association seeks to share maritime history and general seamanship knowledge to the public through accurate representation of sailor's lives in the Age of Sail (the 1500s to mid-1800s). The members portray the crew of merchant, naval, and revenue vessels which sailed the East Coast of the United States.

The association provides living history demonstrations, battle reenactments, school programs, parades and memorial dedication activities, and performances of traditional sailor's music. Please see the schedule of events for the association's upcoming appearances.

Ohio Historical Society and Center

Description

Inside this unique structure, the Ohio Historical Society offers visitors a museum experience of Ohio's past and an Archives/Library that provides rich resources for genealogists and other researchers. The Center serves as the headquarters for the Ohio Historical Society and is the flagship museum of the Society's network of over 50 historic sites and museums.

The other historic sites and museums overseen by the Society are listed individually in this database.

The center offers exhibits, educational programs, lectures, research library access, and educational and recreational events.

Worcester Historical Museum [MA]

Description

The Worcester Historical Museum shares the history of Worcestor, Massachusetts via a collection of artifacts including the decorative arts, fine arts, documents, and photographs. Worcester was the setting for the invention of the monkey wrench, barbed wire, space suit, and smiley face. The museum also operates the Salisbury Mansion, a house and hardware store built in 1772. The mansion has been restored to its 1830s appearance.

The museum offers hands-on interpretive programs, music, lectures, workshops, and tours. The mansion offers exhibits and tours.

Ashfield Historical Society Museum [MA]

Description

The Ashfield Historical Society Museum presents the history of Ashfield, Massachusetts via a document and artifact collection. Collection highlights include
music books from the Congregationalist Church Singing School of 1799; peddler's trunks from the mid 19th century; the "thunderbolt log splitter," a splitting wedge, powered by powder and locally invented in the 1930s; over 23,000 glass plate negatives of New England circa 1800; and local pottery. The museum also includes a farming equipment exhibit housed in a barn, an 1800s grocery store display, and a circa-1850 recreated shopkeeper's apartment. The museum is located within an 1830s structure, which originally served as a store.

The museum offers exhibits, period rooms, and archival tours. Appointments are required for all visitors. The website offers a virtual tour, historic photographs, cemetery records, and a local history timeline.

Norman Rockwell Museum [MA]

Description

The Norman Rockwell Museum presents the life and work of U.S. artist Norman Rockwell (1894–1978), best known for his observant depictions of American life. The collections includes Rockwell's personal collection of 367 of his works of art—finished pieces and sketches; his materials, personal library, prints, and other contents of his studio; and over 100,000 archival objects. Visitors can visit Rockwell's studio in its original building. This site possess the largest Rockwell collection in the world.

The museum offers 25–minute gallery orientation talks; audio tours, including an option designed specifically for children; interactive curriculum-based tours; student hands-on experiences; advanced art tours; in-classroom presentations and activities; a period room; art activities; a reading of Norman Rockwell's children's book, Willie was Different; slide presentation packets for rental; baseball with the U.S. Military All-Stars; lectures and performances covering a wide variety of expressive forms and artists; professional development programs for educators; and a student lunch option. Reservations are required for group tours. The website offers a 7-minute introductory video, an online exhibit, an interactive timeline, and a resource packet with activities and lesson plans. The museum also maintains an Internet presence on Facebook.

Ford's Theatre and Petersen House [DC]

Description

As the site of 16th President of the United States Abraham Lincoln's assassination on April 14, 1865, Ford's Theatre presents the history of this famous historical figure. In addition to the site of the shooting, the society also operates the Petersen House, built in 1849, the site of Lincoln's death. The interior of the Petersen House recreates its appearance at that time.

The society offers tours of Ford's Theatre; one-act plays concerning Civil War and/or President Lincoln's history; period rooms; living history tours on the Lincoln Assassination Conspiracy or the story of Elizabeth Keckley, free African American and friend of the Lincolns; and professional development opportunities for educators. The website offers lesson plans and interview videos.

Tanana-Yukon Historical Society [AK]

Description

The Tanana-Yukon Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the local history of Fairbanks, Alaska. To this end, the society operates the Wickersham House Museum, which has been restored to an early 1900s appearance. Once owned by Judge Wickersham (1857-1939), the structure was built in 1904. Wickersham was highly involved in the development of the Alaska Territory.

The house offers period rooms, while the society offers a lecture series.

Virginia Department of Historic Resources

Description

The Virginia Department of Historic Resources is the official state preservation organization. The organization offers educational outreach programs to help instill a respect for and interest in preservation and items of historical importance.

The department offers interactive exhibits, a 7-part video series on architectural history, and a variety of educational programs. The website offers a teacher guide, activity books, and lesson plans.