Bourne Historical Society and Center, Aptucxet Trading Post, and Briggs-McDermott House [MA]

Description

The Society is housed in the Jonathan Bourne Historical Center, built in 1897 by Emily Howland Bourne as a town library and as a memorial to her father, Jonathan Bourne, for whom the town was named. The Society also manages the Aptucxet Trading Post and the Briggs-McDermott House. The Trading Post recreates the first trade house built in 1627, by Plymouth Colony, located on the south bank of the Manomet (Monument) River, which is now part of the Cape Cod Canal. The Pilgrims traded with the Indians and the Dutch from New Amsterdam (New York City), thus having a source of income by which their debt to the London backers of their expedition to the New World could be repaid. The Trading Post site also houses Gray Gables Railroad Station, built for the personal use of President Grover Cleveland during the years of his presidency (1893–1896). The Greek Revival-style Briggs-McDermott House has been restored and furnished to reflect the period from 1840 to 1910, an important time for the Briggs family and Bourne.

The society offers lectures and occasional recreational and educational events; the center offers tours, exhibits, and research library access; the Trading Post offers tours; the Briggs-McDermott House offers exhibits and tours.

Blaine County Historical Museum [ID]

Description

The Blaine County Historical Museum serves as a place for participants to explore the Wood River Valley's past; research family histories; and view stored vignettes of mines, schools, agricultural contributions, transportation expansion, famous literary personalities, period fashions, western attire, and political memorabilia. Each display contributes to the historical perspective of life as early inhabitants and pioneers experienced it.

The museum offers exhibits and research library access.

Varnum Memorial Armory Museum [RI]

Description

The Varnum Continentals built their armory in 1913 in the medieval architectural style. The armory is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A 1984 State Historical Building Survey described the Varnum Memorial Armory as remaining in perfect original condition. Among the key architectural details are the towers, the massive double doors, the multiple arched windows, and the crenellated parapet along the roofline. The armory serves contains an extensive military and naval museum which has been acquired through donation and purchase.

The museum offers exhibits and occasional recreational and educational events.

California Museum for History, Women, and the Arts

Description

The California Museum for History, Women, and the Arts preserves, presents, and creates California history. The Museum brings the state's rich and diverse history alive through the extraordinary collection of the California State Archives and other collections throughout the state. For the first time, California's women have a home for their stories in a museum about California history. The California Museum also promotes the state's artistic and cultural heritage. Here visitors will find an active, engaging center that serves as a bridge from the past to the future.

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

Mountain Top Historical Society [NY]

Description

The Society promotes the increase of knowledge and interest in that portion of the Catskill Mountains referred to generally as the "Mountain Top" through the study and preservation of its art, literature, history, culture, folklore, legends, and environment by means of a variety of programs, activities, and projects.

The society offers occasional recreational and educational events.

Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society and Heritage Junction [CA]

Description

The Society operates Heritage Junction, a site including eight historic buildings: the 1890 Pardee House, the 1893 Newhall Ranch House, the 1887 Saugus Train Station, the 1865 Mitchell Adobe, the 1919 Edison House, the 1878 Kingsburry House, the 1927 Callahan Schoolhouse, and the 1926 Ramona Chapel.

The society offers lectures, film screenings, and occasional recreational and educational events; the Kingsburry House offers tours; and the Saugus Train Station offers exhibits.