Ybor City Museum State Park [FL]

Description

Don Vicente Martinez Ybor came to the frontier near Tampa and built a city that became the "Cigar Capital of the World." From the opening of the first cigar factory in 1886 until the 1930s, Ybor City flourished. This urban park is dedicated to the preservation of Ybor City's cultural heritage. The museum, housed in the historic Ferlita Bakery, traces the rich cultural history of Ybor City and the cigar-making industry. The museum has self-guided exhibits, with written and audio information, and a video presentation.

The park offers a short film, exhibits, tours, and demonstrations.

Thorsen House [CA]

Description

The 1909 Thorsen House was designed by preeminent Arts and Crafts Movement architecture firm Greene and Greene. The house currently serves as the residence of college students in the Sigma Phi Society.

The house offers drop-in guided tours and more comprehensive guided tours by reservation. Groups larger than six individuals must make reservations. As college students live in the building and their schedules vary with the academic year, it is advisable to call ahead and verify that the site will be open on the day which you wish to visit.

Horne Creek Farm [NC]

Description

Once the Hauser family farm, Horne Creek enables visitors to experience farm life in North Carolina's northwestern Piedmont circa 1900. The site features the family's original farm house, a tobacco curing barn, a corn crib, adjacent fields under cultivation, and even a heritage apple orchard. Through programs ranging from old-fashioned ice cream socials to an annual corn shucking frolic, Horne Creek Living Historical Farm provides a unique opportunity to learn about the rural past.

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

Jackson County Historical Society and Museums [MO]

Description

The Jackson County Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Jackson County, Missouri. To this end, the society operates a lending library and non-circulating archive; 1859 jail, marshal's home, and museum; and the Harry S Truman Office and Courtroom, where Truman (1884-1972) practiced prior to being elected Senator and 33rd President of the United States. The jail presents local legal and military history between the 1840s and the Civil War.

The society offers circulating library and non-circulating archives access, research assistance, self-guided and guided tours of the jail and marshal's home, exhibits, tours of the office and courtroom, and a 30-minute introductory film in the Truman site. Payment is required for non-member library archives access and research assistance. Reservations are required for library and archives access, guided tours of the jail and marshal's home, and group tours of the office and courtroom. The website offers a teacher's guide for the jail site.

Old State House [DE]

Description

The Georgian-style Old State House, completed in 1791, served as the headquarters of both the Delaware state and Kent County governments. The first floor contains an 18th-century style courtroom, and the second floor presents the former chambers of the state legislature. Artworks displayed include paintings by Denis A. Volozan (1765-1820) and Thomas Sully (1783-1872).

The house offers tours. Reservations are required for large groups.

Jack London State Historic Park [CA]

Description

Jack London State Historic Park is a memorial to writer and adventurer Jack London, who made his home at the site from 1905 until his death in 1916. The park was once part of the famous writer's Beauty Ranch. The park contains the cottage residence where he wrote books, short stories, articles, and letters while he oversaw various agricultural enterprises. After London's death, his wife, Charmian, continued to live in the cottage until her death in 1955. It was her wish that the ranch be preserved in memory of Jack London and his work. There is a museum in "The House of Happy Walls," which Mrs. London built in a redwood grove.

The park offers tours and exhibits.

Historic New Orleans Collection [LA]

Description

The Historic New Orleans Collection, housed in a complex of historic French Quarter structures, is a museum, research center, and publisher. The collection's focus is the history and culture of both New Orleans and the Gulf South. The museum includes the Williams Gallery, which hosts temporary exhibits; Louisiana History Galleries, which depict state history; and a house museum, the Williams House. The Williams House is an Italianate townhouse built in 1889. The interior is interpreted in the style of the mid 20th-century, when General L. Kemper and Leila Williams, who instigated the collection, lived on site. This residence is the only French Quarter home open to the public which contains original furnishings and decorative arts objects. The Williams Research Center provides access to more than 35,000 library items and 350,000 artifacts.

The collection offers exhibits, period rooms, self-guided tours of the Williams Gallery, guided tours of the Louisiana History Galleries and Williams House, guided architectural tours, school tours of the Williams Gallery and Louisiana History Galleries, weekly curatorial talks, collections access, educator training programs, a school program about Creole cuisine history, and outreach presentations for school. Reservations are required for groups of eight or more desiring a guided tour and for school tours. The website offers podcasts and a list of teacher resources available upon request.

Poland Spring Preservation Society and Maine State Building [ME]

Description

The Poland Spring Preservation Society was formed to preserve the Maine State Building and the All Souls Chapel. The Maine State Building was created in 1893 for the Chicago World's Fair. At the fair, it displayed exhibits, portraits of famous Maine residents, taxidermy, and a library. At this point in time, the building houses a portion of its original contents, as well as exhibits of local artwork. The Catholic and Protestant chapel was completed in 1912.

The society offers exhibits, an art gallery, and summer concerts.

California Oil Museum [CA]

Description

The California Oil Museum recounts the boom in black gold in the city of Santa Paula during the late 19th century. The museum contains exhibits that display oil rigging tools, oil advertisements, wildcatter memorabilia, and other relevant artifacts.

School tours are available for K-12 with the option of hands-on educational programs.