George Bush Presidential Library and Museum [TX]

Description

George H. W. Bush was the 41st President from 1988-1992, as well as the former director of the CIA. "Included in the museum's main exhibit are items ranging from a 1925 film of George H. W. Bush's first steps in Kennebunkport, Maine, documents that highlight his service at the CIA and United Nations, and records and correspondence from his tenure as the 41st President of the United States of America."

Tours are free for school groups and the museum offers a variety of educational programs for grades pre-K-12. Teacher resources are also provided online to download.

Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park [CA]

Description

Perched on a cliff on the central California coast, 50 miles south of San Francisco, the 115-foot Pigeon Point Lighthouse, one of the tallest lighthouses in America, has been guiding mariners since 1872. Its five-wick lard oil lamp, and first-order Fresnel lens, comprised of 1,008 prisms, was first lit at sunset, November 15, 1872. The lens stands 16 feet tall, 6 feet in diameter, and weighs 8,000 pounds. It sits in a lantern room that had been constructed at the Lighthouse Service's general depot in New York before being shipped around the Horn. Although the original Fresnel lens is no longer in use, the lighthouse is still an active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation using a 24-inch Aero Beacon.

The park offers exhibits, tours, and occasional recreational and educational events.

Friendship Firehouse Museum [VA]

Description

The Friendship Fire Company was established in 1774, and was the first volunteer fire company in Alexandria. The current firehouse was built in 1855, remodeled in 1871, and renovated in 1992. The Engine Room on the first floor houses hand-drawn fire engines, leather water buckets, axes, sections of early rubber hose, and other historic fire-fighting equipment. An exhibition discusses the development of firefighting technology and other fire companies that have served the citizens of Alexandria. The second floor Meeting Room is furnished the way it was during the late 19th century, the real heyday of Friendship as a community organization. On view here are various ceremonial objects such as parade uniforms, capes, banners, and other regalia. George Washington's association with the Friendship Fire Company, honored by members for over 200 years, is symbolized by several images of him throughout the museum.

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

Napa Firefighters Museum [CA]

Description

The Napa Firefighters Museum presents the history of the Napa, California firefighting department. Collections include hydrants, extinguishers, firefighting toys, global firehouse images, an 1859 hand pumper, and early 1900s fire engines.

The museum offers exhibits. School tours are encouraged, and can be scheduled outside of normal admission hours.

Benton County Historical Museum [OR]

Description

The Benton County Historical Museum is dedicated to preserving the history of Benton County, and the history of the settlement of Oregon and the Willamette Valley. The museum is located in the 1867 Philomath College building, an important local historic landmark that was kept standing by the advocacy of local citizens.

The museum offers exhibits, guided tours, field trip programs, and special presentations. The website offers visitor information, online exhibits, and a calendar of events.

National Civil Rights Museum [TN]

Description

The National Civil Rights Museum is located in the Lorraine Motel, the site of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The museum is focused both on preserving the site of King's assassination as well as chronicling the history of the Civil Rights Movement as a whole.

The museum offers field trip programs, guided tours, exhibits, and special events. The website offers visitor information, an events calendar, and resources for teachers including curriculum guides, primary sources, and worksheets.

The Snyder Estate [NY]

Description

The Century House, also known as the Snyder Estate, is the former home of Andrew Snyder, and was a small family farm until the discovery of natural cement in the region in 1825. The area experienced impressive industrial growth up to the 1970s, and was the United State's largest producer of cement during that time.

The estate offers guided tours of the Century House, Widow Jane Mine, and Cement Industry Museum. The estate also offers field trip programs, outreach programs, and special events. The website offers visitor information, a history of the estate, and information regarding upcoming events.

Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum and Muheim Heritage House Museum [AZ]

Description

The Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum, housed in the former corporate headquarters of the Copper Queen Consolidated Mining Company, interprets the rise of the copper mining industry in the region. The Museum also maintains the Muheim Heritage House Museum, an 1898 home restored to its turn-of-the-century state.

The museum offers exhibits and research library access; the Muheim Heritage House offers tours.

Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame [IN]

Description

The Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame presents the history of basketball within Indiana. Artifacts honor acclaimed high school, college, and professional basketball players and those who have influenced the game. The hall's museum emphasizes male and female high school coaches and players. Exhibit topics include basketball and the media, sports officials, basketball history from 1894 to present day, and the sport histories of individual Indiana high schools.

The museum offers exhibits, films, and research library access. Library access is by appointment only.