Montgomery County Historical Society and Museums [MD]

Description

The Society maintains three historical properties, including the Beall-Dawson House, the Stonestreet Museum of 19th-century Medicine, and the Waters House History Center. Visitors can learn about the county's beginnings at the historic 1815 Beall-Dawson House, an elegant federal style townhome that features period rooms and changing exhibits. The museum tour highlights the culture and daily life of both the upper-class Beall family as well as the enslaved African Americans who labored in the house and on the adjacent property. The Stonestreet Museum offers an insider's look into the developments in medical science that occurred during the career of Dr. Edward E. Stonestreet. Built in 1852, this unique one-room Gothic Revival doctor's office features medical artifacts and implements that demonstrate the fascinating changes that occurred in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The Waters House History Center is housed in oldest house in Germantown—built in three parts, the oldest dates to the mid-1790s. It offers exhibits related to local history.

The Society offers educational programs and lectures; the Beall-Dawson House offers exhibits, tours, and occasional educational and recreation events and programs; the Stonestreet Museum offers exhibits and tours; the Center offers exhibits and occasional recreational and educational programs.

Dover Historical Society and J.E. Reeves Victorian Home and Museum [OH]

Description

This 17-room Victorian home, topped by a third-floor ballroom, has been carefully restored by the Society to its original turn-of-the-century splendor and features the unique treasures of the original furniture and antiques that were the property of Mr. and Mrs. Jeremiah E. Reeves, arranged as they would have been 100 years ago. These beautiful family furnishings can be viewed up close, as there are no ropes or barriers prohibiting entrance into the rooms. The Carriage House Museum, located behind the home, contains an interesting collection of vehicles—the family's handsome, horse-drawn carriage, along with the family sleigh, a rare electric car, and a newly restored doctor's buggy. Throughout the carriage house are numerous displays and artifacts that trace Dover's past, a past quite typical of many small towns in America.

The house and museum offer exhibits; tours; occasional lectures; and occasional educational and recreational events, including living history events.

Fort Stark Historic Site [NH]

Description

Fort Stark State Historic Site is located on a peninsula historically called Jerry's Point on the southeast corner of New Castle Island. It overlooks the Piscataqua River, Little Harbor, and the Atlantic Ocean. Fort Stark was named in honor of John Stark, commander of New Hampshire forces at the Battle of Bennington (1777). It is one of seven forts built to protect Portsmouth Harbor. A visitor center, located in the old mines building, is open by appointment only.

The site offers exhibits, open by appointment.

The Capitol Complex Extension Branch of the Southeastern Regional Black Archives at Union Bank[FL]

Description

Completed in 1841 when Florida was still a territory, the Union Bank is the state's oldest surviving bank building. Chartered to help finance local cotton plantations, it ultimately closed because of crop failures, the Second Seminole War, and poor management. After the Civil War, it reopened as the Freedman's Savings and Trust Company for emancipated slaves and later served several other functions. In 1971, the Bank was moved from its original site, and, after restoration, it was opened as a museum in 1984. The Union Bank now serves as an extension of the Florida A&M University Black Archives, Research Center, and Museum and is open to the public and school groups only on weekdays. Artifacts and documents reflecting black history and culture are on display, and public programs are provided by Black Archives staff.

The bank offers exhibits.

Johnson Victrola Museum [DE]

Description

The Museum is a tribute to Delaware's native son, Eldridge Reeves Johnson, who founded the Victor Talking Machine Company in 1901. Exhibits include phonographs, recordings, memorabilia, trademarks, objects, and paintings that highlight Mr. Johnson's successful business enterprises and chronicle the development of the sound-recording industry.

The museums offers exhibits, tours,

New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum

Description

The Museum brings to life the 3,000-year history of farming and ranching in New Mexico. The main building contains more than 24,000-square-feet of exhibit space, along with catering space for meetings and events, a mercantile, and theater. Visitors can watch a cow being milked, stroll along corrals filled with livestock, enjoy several gardens, or watch one of a growing number of demonstrations.

The museum offers exhibits, tours, demonstrations, classes, lectures, and other educational and recreational events and programs.

Phelps Mansion Museum [NY]

Description

The Mansion was built in 1870 for Sherman D. Phelps, a successful banker, businessman, Republican Elector for Abraham Lincoln, and mayor of the newly incorporated City of Binghamton.

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

Friends of the James Farm and Museum [MO]

Description

Until 1978, the James farm was owned by the descendents of Frank and Jesse James. Today, a museum has been added to the site, displaying Jesse James and James family artifacts including three of Jesse's guns; the boots he was wearing when he was killed; and the family Bible, with inscriptions written in Zerelda's own hand. The farm and house look much as they did when Zerelda was giving the tours and is fully furnished with items that belonged to the James and Samuel families.

The museum and farm offer exhibits, tours, and research library access.