Cornwall Iron Furnace [PA]

Description

Cornwall Furnace is a unique survivor of the early American iron industry. Originally built by Peter Grubb in 1742, the furnace underwent extensive renovations in 1856–57 under its subsequent owners, the Coleman family, and closed in 1883. It is this mid-19th-century ironmaking complex which survives today. At Cornwall, furnace, blast equipment, and related buildings still stand as they did over a century ago. Here visitors can explore the rambling Gothic Revival buildings where cannons, stoves, and pig iron were cast, and where men labored day and night to satisfy the furnace's appetite for charcoal, limestone, and iron ore.

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

Peerless Rockville [MD]

Description

Peerless Rockville seeks to preserve and share the history of Rockville, MD.

The organization offers lectures, guided walking tours, customizable guided walking tours, self-guided walking tours, research library access, and research assistance. Guided tour topics include a historical overview of Rockville, the Civil War, 19th-century landmarks, a family scavenger hunt, African American history, the Underground Railroad, public architecture, F. Scott Fitzgerald, downtown, the Rockville cemetery, the 1891 courthouse, and early settlement. Appointments are recommended for research library use.

National Canal Museum [PA]

Description

The National Canal Museum presents the story of U.S. towpath canals. Galleries include an interactive 90-foot model canal, the life of canal workers, and Lehigh Valley railroading. Other sights include the Emrick Technology Center, displaying Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania's industrial past; the Hugh Moore Park, which contains a canal boat and locks, as well as industrial ruins; and a locktender's house with period rooms and costumed interpreters.

The museum offers interactive exhibits, period rooms, costumed interpreters, full-day curriculum-based living history programs for students, a canal life outreach program for students, a traveling trunk, archive access, and canal boat rides. Canal boat rides are available May 14th through September seventh. Payment of a daily fee is required of non-members using the archive. The website offers Flash games and curricula.

First Due Fire Museum [MO]

Description

The First Due Fire Museum addresses fire safety, firefighting history, and modern firefighting. Collection highlights include an 1820 hose cart, uniforms, and breathing apparatus. The museum is staffed with professional firefighters.

The museum offers exhibits and interactive stations.

Benicia Historical Museum [CA]

Description

The Benecia Historical Museum presents the history and influence of Benecia, CA and the Benecia Arsenal, in use 1853 through at least 1886. Located in two arsenal buildings, exhibits address blacksmithing, painting, ferrying, ductwork, industry, and a general history of Benecia. The Benecia Arsenal held the 1864 auction of 34 military camels. In 1855, Jefferson Davis, while U.S. Secretary of War, imported more than 70 camels to carry military cargo through desert regions. By 1864, the experiment was considered a failure, as the camel's stubborn nature led to general troop dislike of the creatures; and the remaining camels were sold.

The museum offers exhibits, guided group tours, guided student tours with hands-on activities, traveling trunks, concerts, and a garden. Traveling trunks address Native American life and Spanish missions. Reservations are required for group and student tours. The Powder Magazine is open by appointment only. The website offers historical photographs and drawings.

Charlevoix Historical Society and Harsha House Museum [MI]

Description

The Charlevoix Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of the Charlevoix, MI area and its people. To this end, the society operates the Harsha House Museum. The 1891 Harsha House contains three period rooms, local history exhibits, a 1917 player piano, and a research library with oral histories.

The society offers exhibits, period rooms, research library access, and research assistance.

New Castle Court House Museum [DE]

Description

The New Castle Court House, erected in 1732, was Delaware's first court and state capitol building. Topics addressed on site include colonial and state history, early Delaware law and government, and the Underground Railroad.

The museum offers site tours, exhibits, educational programs for students, and an hour long walking tour for adults. Reservations are required for large groups. The first floor of the structure is wheelchair accessible.

Braintree Historical Society, Sylvanus Thayer Birthplace, and Museum [MA]

Description

The Braintree Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Braintree, MA and its people. To this end, the society operates the Gilbert Bean Museum of local history, a research library, and the Sylvanus Thayer Birthplace. The research library collections include town records dating from 1640 onward, archival materials, and a display of military artifacts. Thayer (1785-1872) advocated engineering education, and is known as the "father of West Point." His birthplace holds exhibits on the railway, military history, and coopers, as well as circa 1785 period rooms.

The society offers exhibits, period rooms, guided tours of the Thayer house, and research library access. Appointments are necessary for all visits, with the exception of Thayer house tours taking place April through November.