St. Mary's County Historical Society [MD]

Description

The St. Mary's County Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of St. Mary's County, Maryland, known as the "Mother County of Maryland." Historic Tudor Hall, once visited by George Washington, houses the society's museum collection and research center; while the Old Jail, built in 1858, is another museum exhibit venue. The research center includes access to maps, surveys, business records, water district and government records, club and organization minutes, school records, diaries, marriage licenses, music, ships' lists, newspaper clippings, family genealogies, letters, almanacs, telephone directories, postcards, family movies, friendship cards, military records, church records, paintings, Bibles, and other books.

The society offers exhibits and historical outreach presentations. Please confirm dates of visitation.

Northern Indiana Center for History [IN]

Description

The Northern Indiana Center for History includes a 38-room Victorian mansion and gardens, a cottage interpreted with 1930s interiors, a children's museum, and galleries covering local and Notre Dame history. The mansion, known as Copshaholm, was owned by J.D. Oliver, president of Oliver Chilled Plow Works. Built in 1895-96, the architecture is Romanesque Queen Anne in style, and the interior furnishings are original. Highlights include works by Bartolozzi (1725-1815), famed Italian engraver, and American sculptor Lorado Taft (1860-1936). The Dom Robotnika, erected in the 1870s, is an example of quarters like those in which factory workers from the Oliver Chilled Plow Works might have lived. Other offerings include archives, the Kidsfirst Children's Museum, the Ernestine M. Raclin Gallery of Notre Dame History, and the Voyages Gallery of Local History.

Copshaholm offers an introductory video and guided tours. The society also offers a variety of themed educational programs, covering the fur trade, Civil War, and cabin life in the 1830s. Tours are also available in the Dom Robotnika, the Worker's Home; the Kidsfirst Children's Museum; Voyages: Exploring the History of the St. Joseph River Valley; and the Ernestine M. Raclin Gallery of Notre Dame History. School programs and tours meet state educational standards.

Richmond Hill Historical Society & Museum [GA]

Description

The Richmond Hill Historical Society & Museum seeks to preserve and share the history of Richmond Hill and Bryan County, Georgia. To this end, the society operates a museum with displays covering the Colonial era, Revolutionary War, Civil War, and time of Henry Ford. The museum is located in a structure which previously served as the Henry Ford Kindergarten. This school was run by Ford (1863-1947), father of mass production, and his wife, who wintered in the area.

The museum offers exhibits.

Pope House Museum Foundation [NC]

Description

The Pope House Museum Foundation operates the Pope House Museum, which depicts the life of a well-to-do African American family circa 1900. The house, built in 1901, was the residence of Dr. Manassa Thomas Pope (1858-1934) and his family. Dr. Pope was a 1919 mayoral candidate, an officer in the Spanish American War, and one of the earliest graduates of Shaw University's Leonard school of Medicine. The collections consist of artifacts and documents—with the earliest dating to 1851.

The museum is currently closed for restoration.

Sam Houston Schoolhouse [TN]

Description

The Sam Houston Schoolhouse is named for the soldier, statesman, and pioneer from East Tennessee. Built of hewn poplar logs, it is representative of field schools of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Desks are cleverly converted from the window apertures, and a seven-foot ceiling hovers over hewn log seats.

The schoolhouse offers exhibits.

Adams County Historical Society [PA]

Description

The Adams County Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Adams County, PA, and its people. To this end, the society operates a museum, located within the dormitory of the first U.S. Lutheran seminary, founded in 1826. The building later served as a Civil War hospital. Exhibit topics include iron works, social classes, pre-history, county development between 1745 and 1945, the Civil War and Battle of Gettysburg, mortuary equipment and mourning practices, religion, education, children's toys, furniture making, seminary history, and circa 1900 dorm life. Other holdings include more than 200,000 photographs and negatives, manuscripts, and county records.

The society offers exhibits, guided museum tours, guided behind-the-scenes tours, research library access, and research services. Appointments are required for all tours to ensure docent availability, with tours only being offered to groups of 10 or more. Students and members may use the research library free of charge. A fee is charged for research conducted upon request.

Morgan's Plantation Log Kitchen [WV]

Description

John Morgan of Putnam Company originally built the Morgan’s Plantation Log Kitchen in 1846. The building served both armies during the Civil War as both a hospital and kitchen. The building was moved from its original location to its current location in 1972 when the John Amos Power Plant was built on its original location. Today, the building serves a historic museum, and is furnished with period kitchen artifacts and utensils.

The home offers guided tours during the summer months and during the winter by appointment. The website offers basic visitor information.

Walt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Site [NY]

Description

The Walt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Site presents the circa 1819 home in which Whitman was born, as well as information on his life. The home was built by Whitman's father and now contains 19th-century furnishings. Collections include more than 100 letters, artifacts, and archival materials. Walt Whitman (1819-1892) was a famous poet, often referred to as the father of free verse. His works contain aspects of both Transcendentalism and Realism, and he faced censure during his lifetime for the sexuality of his poems.

The site offers educational programs, an introductory film, guided tours, exhibits, and a picnic area.