Pamplin Historical Park [VA]

Description

The 422-acre Pamplin Historical Park commemorates Civil War history. The park location is that of the April 2, 1865 "Breakthrough," the battle which caused the evacuation of the Confederate capital at Richmond. The grounds include four museums, four antebellum homes, and living history sites. Constituting the primary draw of the park is the National Museum of the Civil War Soldier, which presents the story of the common soldier involved in the Civil War. The three other museums cover plantation life; slavery in the United States (The Field Quarter); and the battle of April 2, 1865 (The Battlefield Center). The antebellum structures include the 1812 Tudor Hall Plantation house, once the headquarters of Confederate General Samuel McGowan (1819-1897), and the 1700s-era Banks House, Union Lt. General Grant's (1822-1885) headquarters following the battle. The park also offers trails among some of the nation's best-preserved Civil War fortifications.

The National Museum of the Civil War Soldier offers exhibits, life-size dioramas, films, interactive learning stations, an audio tour which makes use of the words of actual soldiers, and a multi-sensory battlefield simulation. The Field Quarter offers a film, an exhibit, heritage livestock, and reconstructed dwellings. The Military Encampment offers hands-on activities. The Battlefield Center offers a multimedia presentation and exhibits. The Banks house offers period rooms. The park also offers educational programs, Civil War Adventure camps, history day camps, interpretive trails, self-guided audio tours of the Breakthrough Battlefield and Tudor Hall plantation, guided battlefield and Tudor Hall tours, tours on a variety of subjects offered on request, interpreters in period costume, artillery and civilian skill demonstrations, and vending machines. Pre- and post-visit activities are available on the website.

Wells Fargo History Museum [CA]

Description

The Wells Fargo History Museum presents the history of Wells, Fargo & Co., a joint stock company for California banking and express business. Founded in 1852, the company was offering nationwide service as early as 1888. The museum collection includes a period Agent's office in a recreated historical building; an original Concord Coach, acquired by Wells Fargo in 1867; a 19th-century pocket watch; and two telegraph machines.

The museum offers exhibits and guided tours. The website offers a PDF listing educational standards covered during tours and a summary of tour topics.

The Center for Orange County History [VA]

Description

The Center for Orange County History seeks to preserve and share the history of Orange County, Virginia. To this end, the society offers a library with over 3,000 volumes, as well as maps, photographs, and information on families, buildings, sites, and events.

The center offers a library and archive. The website offers historical diary excerpts and a selection of historical photographs.

St. Mary's County Historical Society [MD]

Description

The St. Mary's County Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of St. Mary's County, Maryland, known as the "Mother County of Maryland." Historic Tudor Hall, once visited by George Washington, houses the society's museum collection and research center; while the Old Jail, built in 1858, is another museum exhibit venue. The research center includes access to maps, surveys, business records, water district and government records, club and organization minutes, school records, diaries, marriage licenses, music, ships' lists, newspaper clippings, family genealogies, letters, almanacs, telephone directories, postcards, family movies, friendship cards, military records, church records, paintings, Bibles, and other books.

The society offers exhibits and historical outreach presentations. Please confirm dates of visitation.

Wilderness Road State Park [VA]

Description

The 310-acre Wilderness Road State Park commemorates the route which Daniel Boone (1734-1820) carved along a buffalo trace through the Cumberland Gap and into Kentucky in 1775, effectively opening the western frontier. Items of note within the park are a visitor center and Martin's Station, a replica of a 1775 colonial frontier fort which is located in the position of the original.

The park offers an introductory film; exhibits; costumed interpreters; educational programs; living history discussions; a raid re-enactment; and The Indian Ridge Trail, a self-guided interpretive walk.

Frontier Historical Society [CO]

Description

The Frontier Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Glenwood Springs, Colorado. To this end, the society operates a museum of local history.

The society offers museum exhibits and guided tours, guided walking tours of historic downtown Glenwood Springs, archives, slide shows, historical presentations, and traveling trunks for elementary education.

African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey

Description

The African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey presents the 20th century experience of the national African American community. The collection consists of over 3,000 artifacts, including artworks and decorative items, depicting African Americans.

The museum offers educational programs and a traveling museum which visits schools upon request. Call prior to visitation as the exhibit may be traveling.

Hope Lodge [PA]

Description

Visitors to Hope Lodge can enjoy seeing two historic time periods side by side. Some rooms are furnished in the Colonial style (1743–1770). Other rooms are shown in the Colonial Revival style (1922–1953). Hope Lodge is the only house museum in Pennsylvania devoted to these two periods.

The site offers tours, educational programs, and occasional recreational and educational events (including living history events).