Ohio County Historical Society and Museum [IN]

Description

The Ohio County Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Ohio County, Indiana. To this end, the society operates a museum, housed in a 19th-century plow factory. This museum focuses on local life in the 1800s and early 1900s. Collection highlights include a record-winning, early 20th-century race boat called the Hoosier Boy and an auto-harp.

The society offers exhibits.

Shoshone County Mining and Smelting Museum [ID]

Description

The Shoshone County Mining and Smelting Museum presents the local history of the Silver Valley, Idaho, with a particular emphasis on mining and smelting history. Exhibits cover mining, environmental history, smelting equipment, minerals, metallurgy, medicine, and electricity. Collection highlights include an 1899 Nordberg Air Compressor and scale models of the Bunker Hill and Sunshine Mines. Dating to 1906, the museum structure was built as the residence of Stanley A. Easton (died 1961), manager of the Bunker Hill and Sullivan Mining and Concentrating Company.

The museum offers exhibits and a period sitting room.

Textile Museum [DC]

Description

The Textile Museum presents the cultural significance and artistry of world textiles. The museum library contains more than 20,000 volumes, including listings of educational programs and textile collections; and the artifact collection contains over 18,000 artifacts from around the world—with the oldest dating to 3,000 B.C.E.

The museum offers guided highlights tours, interactive educational tours, hands-on activities, teacher workshops, and supporting materials for selected exhibits. Reservations are required for educational tours. The website offers digital exhibits.

The library is currently closed for reorganization.

Houston Fire Museum [TX]

Description

The Houston Fire Museum presents the history of U.S. firefighting. It is housed in the historic Fire Station No. 7, which was built in 1895. Collection highlights include a 19th-century pumper, an 1895 steamer, and a restored watch office. A new museum building is being added, and will emphasize fire safety.

The museum offers exhibits and guided tours. Reservations are required for group tours.

Ransom County Historical Society [ND]

Description

The Ransom County Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Ransom County, North Dakota. To this end, the society operates a museum, located within an old general store. Other buildings in the museum complex include a single-room school, old flour mill, barn, and residence.

The museum offers exhibits and group tours. Appointments are required for group tours.

Captain Forbes House Museum [MA]

Description

The Captain Forbes House Museum presents the living quarters of Captain Robert Bennet Forbes (1804-1889), one of the major players in increasing U.S. maritime trade with China circa 1830. In addition to his status as merchant and ship owner, Forbes was also involved in philanthropy, art, and design. The structure itself dates to 1833 and is in the Greek Revival style. Collections include Chinese silver, paintings, furniture, porcelain, and bronzes (which possess deeply embedded cultural significance within China).

The museum offers tours, lectures, educational programs, exhibits, storytelling, hands-on activities, and slide presentations.

Smithtown Historical Society [NY]

Description

The Smithtown Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Smithtown, New York, founded in 1665. To this end, the society operates and interprets a total of 14 historical buildings located within Smithtown.

The society offers exhibits and eight elementary education programs. Education programs meet state standards, and are only offered to Long Island students.