Raynham Hall Museum [NY]

Description

The Raynham Hall Museum is a historic home depicting life between the 1770s and 1870s. Samuel Townsend, a prosperous international merchant, purchased the property in 1738. Townsend later served on the New York Provincial Congress. Between 1778 and 1779, the Queen's Rangers, led by English Lt. Col. John Graves Simcoe (1752-1806), made the Patriot family's home their headquarters. During this time, legend has it, Sally Townsend overheard Benedict Arnold's plan to surrender the West Point fort to the British; and informed the Culper Spy Ring about Benedict (1741-1801) and his accomplice Major John Andre (1750-1780). The site displays over 500 artifacts, including pieces owned by the Townsends and others made in Long Island.

The museum offers colonial and Victorian period rooms, colonial- and Victorian-style gardens, and children's summer workshops.

Howell Historical Society and Museums [NJ]

Description

The Howell Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Howell Township, New Jersey. To this end, the society operates the Old Ardena Schoolhouse and MacKenzie Museum. The museum and accompanying research library are located within a circa 1807-1855 structure. The schoolhouse dates to circa 1855.

The society offers exhibits, research library access, activities, and tours of the Old Ardena Schoolhouse. The schoolhouse is open to the public the last Sunday of each month.

Kingdom of Callaway Historical Society and Museum [MO]

Description

The Kingdom of Callaway Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the historical heritage of Callaway County, which is located in central Missouri. The society maintains a small museum of local history in the society headquarters, which is located in downtown Fulton, MO.

The society offers exhibits, guided tours of the museum, research resources, and walking tours of Callaway communities. The website offers visitor information, a history of the Kingdom of Callaway, and histories of all major Callaway communities.

Long Pond Ironworks State Park [NJ]

Description

Long Pond Ironworks was founded in 1766 by German ironmaster Peter Hasenclever. Hasenclever brought 500 ironworkers and their families from Germany to build an ironworks "plantation," including a furnace, forge, houses, shops, and farms. A dam at "Long Pond" (Greenwood Lake) on the upper Wanaque River provided the hydropower to operate a blast for the furnace and a large forge. Two more furnaces were constructed in the 1860s. Operations at the site ceased in 1882 due to the industry-wide conversion to anthracite furnaces using Pennsylvania coal. The remnants of the ironmaking industrial structures at this site date from the 18th and 19th centuries. Furnaces, casting house ruins, charging areas, ice houses, waterwheels, and other structures are a part of the remains. The area is currently undergoing restoration: one waterwheel has been reconstructed and several houses stabilized. The "Old Country Store" has been renovated and now houses the Long Pond Ironworks Museum. The original Village of Hewitt grew up around the 19th-century iron enterprise. This settlement included a church, a store/post office, schoolhouses, and dwellings and outbuildings for workers and managers. Many of these cultural resources remain intact or as ruins.

The website of the Friends of Long Pond Ironworks can be found here.

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

Preserve Rhode Island and Governor Henry Lippitt House

Description

Preserve Rhode Island operates several historical sites, including the Governor Henry Lippitt House. Built for textile merchant Henry Lippitt, his wife Mary Ann Balch Lippitt, and their six children, the house was completed in 1865 and occupied by several generations of the Lippitt family for 114 years. Over the years, the Governor Henry Lippitt family made only a few changes respecting the historic integrity of their ancestor's legacy. The majority of the family's furnishings still exist in the house.

The organization offers occasional recreational and educational events; the House offers tours.

Billings Farm and Museum [VT]

Description

The Billings Farm and Museum presents the history, culture, science, and environmental implications of Vermont farm life. Sights include a working dairy farm, an 1890s period-furnished farm house, and exhibits on family farming responsibilities in 1890. The 270-acre farm was established in 1873, and has maintained a herd of Jersey cows since that time. Other animals on site include oxen, Percheron horses, sheep, and chickens. Nearly 200 acres of the farm contain corn silage, alfalfa, and grass hay fields.

The museum offers films on the history of Billings farm, forestry, and environmental awareness; exhibits; hands-on butter making; milking demonstrations; heirloom garden tours; 19th-century children's games; sheep, pumpkin, apple, feed, chicken, calf, and cow programs; hands-on craft activities; research library access; and a snack counter. Appointments are required for library access. Wheelchairs are available for use on site. The 1890s Farm House is partially wheelchair accessible. Visitors are asked to refrain from feeding or petting the animals.

California State Capitol Museum

Description

Home of the California Legislature since 1869, the State Capitol underwent a major renovation that restored much of the building's original look. Visitors can tour the restored historic offices of the Secretary of State, Treasurer, and Governor of the State of California. The building features exhibits and tours—and possibly an opportunity to watch the legislators debate a bill or cast a vote.

The museum offers exhibits, tours, film screenings, and occasional recreational and educational events.

Shoal Creek Living History Museum [MO]

Description

The Shoal Creek Living History Museum consists of a village with over 20 authentic 19th century buildings. The buildings range from a log cabin to an antebellum brick mansion home. The museum is dedicated to bringing 19th century Missouri history to life.

The museum offers guided tours, demonstrations, workshops, and re-enactments. The website offers visitor information and an events calendar.
Shoal Creek Living History Museum is a village of more than 20 authentic 19th century buildings. The buildings date from 1807-1885 and include log cabin and clapboard structures to an antebellum brick mansion home.

Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park [CA]

Description

Originally built in 1856 by Gold Rush merchant Sheldon Fogus, the Mansion was later purchased and remodeled (twice) by Leland and Jane Stanford. Leland Stanford served as Governor of California from 1862–1863. The Mansion served as the office of three governors during the turbulent 1860s: Leland Stanford, Fredrick Low, and Henry Haight. Today, it stands as an example of the splendor and elegance of the Victorian era in California. On a tour of the 19,000-square-foot Mansion visitors will see 17-foot ceilings, gilded mirrors and detailed carved moldings, restored woodwork, 19th-century crystal and bronze light fixtures, historic paintings, recreated carpeting and draperies based on photographs from the 1870s to match the original interior design; original period furnishings that belonged to the Stanfords; and 19th-century-style gardens.

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

Los Encinos State Historic Park [CA]

Description

Los Encinos State Historic Park was the hub of Rancho El Encino. Located in the San Fernando Valley, this California rancho includes the original nine-room de la Ossa Adobe, the two-story limestone Garnier building, a blacksmith shop, a natural spring, and a pond. Located along a significant travel route between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, the property passed through many hands between the 1840s and the early 20th century. Today, the park contains exhibits related to the agricultural enterprises of Rancho El Encino's various owners, including Mission Indian, Mexican Californio, French, and French Basque families.

The site offers exhibits, tours, and living history events.