Twin Lights Historic Site [NJ]

Description

Situated 200 feet above sea level atop the Navesink Highlands, Twin Lights has stood as a sentinel over the treacherous coastal waters of northern New Jersey since 1828. Named Navesink Lightstation, it became known as the "Twin Lights of Highlands" to those who used its mighty beacons to navigate. As the primary seacoast light for The Highlands, New York Harbor, it was the best and brightest light in North America for generations of seafarers. Many a life and cargo were saved by the sweep of its light. The current lighthouse, built in 1862 of local brownstone at a cost of $74,000, replaced the earlier buildings that had fallen into disrepair. Architect Joseph Lederle designed the new lighthouse with two non-identical towers linked by keepers' quarters and storage rooms. This unique design made it easy to distinguish Twin Lights from other nearby lighthouses. At night, the two beacons, one flashing and the other fixed, provided another distinguishing characteristic.

The site offers exhibits and tours.

Stieglitz and the Photo Secession

Description

According to the History of Photography Podcasts website, "One of the great characters in the history of the medium, Alfred Stieglitz was also one of the most influential photographers and promoters of photography of the 20th century. In this presentation, professor Jeff Curto looks at Stieglitz and the group of photographers and other artists he gathered around him. He also tries to examine why what Stieglitz did and what he said were often two different things."

Photography as Transport

Description

Travel photography in the 19th century is the focus of this podcast, exploring the advent of wet-plate collodion technology, which spurred the advance of travel and landscape photography. Professor Jeff Curto places a special emphasis on photography of the American west.

Audio and slideshow options are available.

Veraestau [IN]

Description

When Jesse Holman combined the Latin words for spring, summer, and fall to name his property Veraestau in 1810, he hoped winter would never touch his home. Set high above the Ohio River in Aurora, IN, the landmark home captures a long sweep of Indiana's architectural history and exemplifies the historic preservation practiced by generations of two families—the Holman/Hamilton clan and the O'Brien/Gibson family.

The home offers tours.

Joshua L. Chamberlain Museum [ME]

Description

The Joshua L. Chamberlain Museum is located within the adulthood residence of Civil War officer Joshua Chamberlain (1828-1914). Best known for his strategic command of Little Round Top at the Battle of Gettysburg, Chamberlain also commanded the Union troops during the Confederate infantry's official surrender to the Union, served as President of Bowdoin College, and was elected Governor of Maine. Topics addressed include Chamberlain's family, career, and life story.

The museum offers guided tours of the museum and self-guided walking tours of Brunswick.

Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park [NV]

Description

The Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park is one of Carson Valley's first and largest ranches. The ranch was home to German immigrant Heinrich Friedrich Dangberg, who founded the site in 1857. A local businessman, rancher, and politician, Dangberg started his ranch with just a log cabin. At the time of his death in 1904, he had created a 20,000 acre ranching empire that his sons expanded to 48,000 acres. More than five acres of the ranch are now owned by Douglas County and managed by Nevada State Parks. The county and state are restoring the original buildings, including a main house, a stone cellar, a laundry building, a carriage house, a garage, and a bunkhouse. These buildings and original artifacts are on display.

The site offers tours.

San Pablo Historical Society [CA]

Description

The San Pablo Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of San Pablo, California. To this end the society operates two museums—the Alvarado Adobe, a replica of California Governor Alvarado's (in office 1836-1842) home, and the 1905 Blume House, a historic farm dwelling.

The museums offer period rooms. The website offers virtual tours.

Catoctin Furnace [MD]

Description

The Catoctin Iron Furnace operated from 1776 until 1903, and is located in Cunningham Falls State Park. The furnace site was once a booming industrial complex and community, and utilized the surrounding woodlands for fuel provision. Today, the state park encompasses both the old furnace and the surrounding landscape, and offers visitors an impressive variety of outdoor activities, from hiking to fishing. In addition, visitors can explore much of the Catoctin Furnace historic site.

The site offers visitor information and maps for the state park, along with a fairly detailed history of the furnace.