Fort Worden State Park and the Puget Sound Coast Artillery Museum [WA]

Description

For Worden State Park consists of 434 acres of land and shoreline surrounding and incorporating the remains of Fort Worden, which was in use between the late 1800s and 1953. Key sites include historic structures, the Puget Sound Coast Artillery Museum, and the Commanding Officer's Quarters. The quarters portray a late Victorian (1890-1910) period setting. The Coast Artillery Museum focuses on artillery mechanisms used to defend Puget Sound between the late 1800s and circa 1945.

The site offers period rooms, exhibits, and picnic sites.

Fort King George Historic Site [GA]

Description

Fort King George is the oldest English fort remaining on Georgia's coast. The fort was in operation from 1721 until 1736, when it was abandoned. Later, in the 19th century, the location was used as a major export center for lumber. Today, visitors can explore the reconstructed Fort King George, as well as three sawmills and tabby ruins which showcase the history of the location as a lumber exporter. The site is also home to a museum.

The fort offers visitors guided tours, interpretive events, a brief historical film, and a variety of exhibits and special events. The website offers a link to the Georgia Teacher's Resource for Touring Historic Sites, specific lesson plans for touring Fort King George, a brief history of the fort, a 15-photo photograph gallery, an event calendar, and visitor information.

Camp Floyd / Stagecoach Inn State Park Museum [UT]

Description

Camp Floyd / Stagecoach Inn State Park Museum is Utah's link with the Civil War. The quiet streets of Fairfield hold the secrets of 3,500 troops, nearly one-third of the entire U.S. Army at that time, which were brought to Camp Floyd to suppress the rumored rebellion in Utah. With no rebellion taking place, the troops were recalled in 1861 with the outbreak of the Civil War. The museum houses a collection of artifacts and documents used by the soldiers of Johnston's Army. Interpretive exhibits display these items along with historic photos, describing the history and activity of Camp Floyd. Visitors can see bullets, currency, uniform insignia, and more. The Stagecoach Inn is fully restored and houses antique furnishing of the time period. The historic Fairfield District Schoolhouse is available for school groups to enjoy an authentic one-room schoolhouse experience. Fairfield School was constructed in 1898 with federal funds received when Utah became a state in 1896.

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

Calico Ghost Town [CA]

Description

"Calico was developed in 1881 during the largest silver strike in California. Located at the side of towering King Mountain, the town was named for the variety of colors in the mountain that were "as purty as a gal's calico skirt." Calico boomed during 1881-1896; but the end came to the silver rush in 1896 and by 1904 Calico had become a ghost town." Today, Calico is a fully restored living history location and contains a museum. Visitors to Calico can tour the historic structures that have been restored to their late 1800s state and interact with trained historical interpreters.

The site offers visitor information, an events calendar, museum information, and an area map.

Greece Historical Society and Museum [NY]

Description

The Society maintains a restored 1870s farm house as the Greece Museum, featuring exhibits of local history. Visitors can bridge the years by stepping into the new museum wing and wandering through the gallery of historical exhibits. They can take a look at the town's first fire wagon, imagine our ancestors harvesting ice from a lakeside pond, contemplate transportation before the automobile, or study the Native American encampment on Long Pond.

The society offers occasional recreational and educational events; the museum offers exhibits.

Mark Twain and the American Character, Part Two

Description

Professor David Foster analyzes Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, looking at what the novel, its characters, and the life of its author reveal about the "American character" and views of American ideals and life at the time of its writing.

This lecture continues from the lecture Mark Twain and the American Character, Part One.

For the lecture, follow the link below and scroll down to the second seminar under Wednesday, August 4.

An older version of this lecture can be found here.

Mark Twain and the American Character, Part One

Description

Professor David Foster analyzes Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, looking at what the novel, its characters, and the life of its author reveal about the "American character" and views of American ideals and life at the time of its writing.

For the lecture, follow the Website Title link and scroll down to the first seminar under Wednesday, August 4.

This lecture continues in Mark Twain and the American Character, Part Two.

An older version of this lecture can be found here.

Butterfly Lodge Museum [AZ]

Description

The Butterfly Lodge Museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and provided a home for the careers of famed writer James Shultz, and his son, Hart Schultz or Lone Wolf. Today, the home serves as a historic house museum and is furnished with the same furniture as was present during the Schultz's time.

The museum offers guided tours and special events. The website offers visitor information, biographies of John Schultz and Lone Wolf, and a listing of upcoming events.

Old House Guild and Cooke House [OH]

Description

The Guild manages this site for the Ohio Historical Society. Formerly the home of Eleutherus Cooke, this 1840s stone-and-brick home was moved to its current location in 1874. Sandusky's first lawyer, Cooke was also a politician serving in the Ohio Legislature and U.S. Congress. The home is restored to its 1950s appearance, but contains several interesting pieces of antique furniture from the 19th century. Exhibits on the history of the house are in the basement.

A second website for the house, maintained by the Old House Guild, can be found here.

The site offers exhibits and tours.

Ames Florida Stork House [MN]

Description

The Ames Florida Stork House, open to visitors throughout the year, chronicles the history of three of Rockford's most prominent families, beginning in the mid-1800s.

The house currently functions as a historic house museum, and offers visitor tours, collections of 19th- and 20th-century furnishings and textiles, and a vintage clothing collection. The website offers basic visitor information, a brief history of the home, and a virtual tour.