The Streets of Old Milwaukee

Description

The essence of urban life in Milwaukee around the turn-of-the-century is recreated from roughly the 1880s to just prior to World War I. This audio tour guides listeners through the exhibit gallery, describing the buildings along the street.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to "The Streets of Old Milwaukee," and select "Download File."

Osage County Historical Society, Hawley Genealogical Research Center, and Museum [KS]

Description

The Osage County Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Osage County, Kansas. To this end, the society operates a museum of local history. Topics addressed include business, farming, railways, coal mining, and family life. The area's ethnic heritage includes African Americans and English, Welsh, Swedish, French, Irish, German, and Italian immigrants.

The museum offers exhibits. The research center offers access to official Orange County records, as well as research assistance. Payment is required for research assistance.

Ellwood City Historical Society and Museum [PA]

Description

The Ellwood City Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Ellwood City, PA, site of the creation of the first American seamless steel tubes. To this end, the society operates a museum of local history. Collection highlights include a Railway Express Wagon; bench from the B and O Railroad waiting room; and Northwood glass, created between 1892 and 1896. Ellwood City's early population included many Italian and German immigrants.

The society offers exhibits.

Fort Robinson Museum [NE]

Description

From Crazy Horse to the cavalry to the K-9 Corps, Fort Robinson played host to them all. Visitors to the site can experience the long and varied history of this outpost on the Plains. The museum at Fort Robinson is located in the 1905 post headquarters building. Museum exhibits trace the history from the post's role guarding the Red Cloud Agency (1874–77) through the housing of World War II German POWs (1943–46). Among the many fascinating objects in the museum's exhibits are the only known dog kennel from the K-9 Corps of World War II; marksmanship medals earned by Caleb Benson, a Buffalo Soldier at Fort Robinson between 1902 and 1909; and 19th-century Sioux objects related to the Red Cloud Agency. Visitors can explore more than a dozen historic structures and sites such as the 1904 blacksmith shop, the 1908 veterinary hospital, the 1887 officers' quarters, the 1875 guardhouse and adjutant's office, and the old post cemetery.

The site offers exhibits, tours, research library access, and occasional recreational and educational events.

The Heritage Society [TX]

Description

The Heritage Society is a 10-acre museum consisting of nine historic structures. These structures date from 1823 to 1905, and were selected to present the history of Houston settlement and daily life. The 1847 Kellum-Noble House; circa 1850 Greek Revival Nichols-Rice-Cherry House; the 1868 San Felipe Cottage, built by German immigrants; 1868 mid-Victorian Pillot House; 1891 St. John Church, an Evangelical Lutheran place of worship; circa 1823 cabin, known as The Old Place; 1905 Staiti House; 1870 Yates House; and the circa 1860 Fourth Ward Cottage, a working class home, are located on site. The Yates House was built by Reverend Jack Yates, a freed African American man, religious leader, and advocate for African American education, only five years after emancipation.

The museum offers exhibits, 75-minute guided house tours, cell phone tours, group-rate guided tours for six or more students and/or Scouts, hands-on activities, outreach presentations, and library and archives access. School tours are curriculum-based. Access to the library and archival materials is by appointment only.

Lower East Side Tenement Museum

Description

The Museum tells the stories of 97 Orchard Street. Built on Manhattan's Lower East Side in 1863, this tenement apartment building was home to nearly 7,000 working class immigrants. They faced challenges people understand today: making a new life, working for a better future, starting a family with limited means. In recognizing the importance of this seemingly ordinary building, the Tenement Museum has reimagined the role that museums can play in modern lives.

The museum offers exhibits, tours, educational programs, and educational and recreational events.

Matthew Edel Blacksmith Shop [IA]

Description

This uniquely preserved blacksmith shop is exactly as German immigrant Matthew Edel left it the day he died. Edel, a skilled blacksmith and inventor, operated the shop until his death in 1940. Visitors can see his tools and wares and hear stories about blacksmithing during the age before tractors and automobiles.

The site offers tours and demonstrations.

Germantown Historical Society [PA]

Description

The Germantown Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Philadelphia's German Township, now Germantown, Mt. Airy, and Chestnut Hill. To this end, the society operates a museum, library, and archives. The township was the original German settlement in the United States; the location of the first written abolitionist statement; an early commuter suburb; and the site of the October 4, 1777 Battle of Germantown. Materials in the library and archives date back to 1683. Specialties include African American genealogy, local railroads, and the Germantown Theatre Guild. Museum collections number more than 50,000 artifacts—over 8,000 of which are historical fashion pieces.

The society offers library and archive access, exhibits, educational programs, guided area walking tours, and research assistance. Research assistance requires payment. Reservations are required for walking tours, and the group must include at least 10 people.

German Village Society [OH]

Description

The German Village Society seeks to preserve and share the history of working class German Village, a historic neighborhood within Columbus, Ohio. Many of the structures, purchased from Revolutionary War veteran John McGowan, belonged to German immigrants. The society operates a visitor's center. Exhibits topics include preservation, immigration, and brewing.

The center offers an introductory video and exhibits. The society also offers guided tours of the neighborhood. Advanced notice is required for tours.