Northern Indiana Center for History [IN]

Description

The Northern Indiana Center for History includes a 38-room Victorian mansion and gardens, a cottage interpreted with 1930s interiors, a children's museum, and galleries covering local and Notre Dame history. The mansion, known as Copshaholm, was owned by J.D. Oliver, president of Oliver Chilled Plow Works. Built in 1895-96, the architecture is Romanesque Queen Anne in style, and the interior furnishings are original. Highlights include works by Bartolozzi (1725-1815), famed Italian engraver, and American sculptor Lorado Taft (1860-1936). The Dom Robotnika, erected in the 1870s, is an example of quarters like those in which factory workers from the Oliver Chilled Plow Works might have lived. Other offerings include archives, the Kidsfirst Children's Museum, the Ernestine M. Raclin Gallery of Notre Dame History, and the Voyages Gallery of Local History.

Copshaholm offers an introductory video and guided tours. The society also offers a variety of themed educational programs, covering the fur trade, Civil War, and cabin life in the 1830s. Tours are also available in the Dom Robotnika, the Worker's Home; the Kidsfirst Children's Museum; Voyages: Exploring the History of the St. Joseph River Valley; and the Ernestine M. Raclin Gallery of Notre Dame History. School programs and tours meet state educational standards.

Brown County Historical Society [WI]

Description

The Brown County Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Brown County, Wisconsin. To this end, the society operates the Hazelwood Historic House Museum. This structure was built in 1837 by Morgan L. Martin, who served as president of the state convention which drafted the Wisconsin state constitution in 1847, and today houses 10 period rooms of Victorian-era artifacts.

The society offers guided tours of the house and of the historic Astor Neighborhood.

Sam Houston Schoolhouse [TN]

Description

The Sam Houston Schoolhouse is named for the soldier, statesman, and pioneer from East Tennessee. Built of hewn poplar logs, it is representative of field schools of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Desks are cleverly converted from the window apertures, and a seven-foot ceiling hovers over hewn log seats.

The schoolhouse offers exhibits.

Adams County Historical Society [PA]

Description

The Adams County Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Adams County, PA, and its people. To this end, the society operates a museum, located within the dormitory of the first U.S. Lutheran seminary, founded in 1826. The building later served as a Civil War hospital. Exhibit topics include iron works, social classes, pre-history, county development between 1745 and 1945, the Civil War and Battle of Gettysburg, mortuary equipment and mourning practices, religion, education, children's toys, furniture making, seminary history, and circa 1900 dorm life. Other holdings include more than 200,000 photographs and negatives, manuscripts, and county records.

The society offers exhibits, guided museum tours, guided behind-the-scenes tours, research library access, and research services. Appointments are required for all tours to ensure docent availability, with tours only being offered to groups of 10 or more. Students and members may use the research library free of charge. A fee is charged for research conducted upon request.

Mary Todd Lincoln House [KY]

Description

The Mary Todd Lincoln House is the first site to have been restored in the memory of a First Lady. The 14-room Georgian home was originally built as an inn, completed in 1806, but entered the Todd family in 1832. Mary Todd (1818-1882) lived on this site for seven years (1832-1839). The current furnishings of the home are based on the inventory list of the property's auction following Robert S. Todd's death. Pieces displayed include those previously owned by the Todd and Lincoln families.

The house offers period rooms and tours for students.

Postville Courthouse

Description

Postville Courthouse is a reproduction of Logan County's first seat of government. Constructed in 1840, the original building until 1848 was one of the courts in which Abraham Lincoln argued cases while traveling the historic Eighth Judicial Circuit. The first floor has a reception and orientation room and an exhibit gallery. On the second floor are rooms representing an 1840s courtroom and a county office.

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

Walt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Site [NY]

Description

The Walt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Site presents the circa 1819 home in which Whitman was born, as well as information on his life. The home was built by Whitman's father and now contains 19th-century furnishings. Collections include more than 100 letters, artifacts, and archival materials. Walt Whitman (1819-1892) was a famous poet, often referred to as the father of free verse. His works contain aspects of both Transcendentalism and Realism, and he faced censure during his lifetime for the sexuality of his poems.

The site offers educational programs, an introductory film, guided tours, exhibits, and a picnic area.

Dyckman House Park [NY]

Description

The Dyckman House Park consists of a circa 1784 Dutch Colonial farmhouse, surrounded by a small park, in New York City. The site focuses on the years 1815 through 1820 and 1915 through 1916, referred to by the park as the "farm" and "city" periods of the property.

The park offers period rooms, guided tours, educational programs which meet state educational standards. Reservations are required for groups of ten or more. The website offers pre- and post-visit activities.

Old Economy Village [PA]

Description

The Old Economy Village is located in western Pennsylvania and is known for being the third, and most successful, home of the Harmonists, a utopian society known for its religious devotion and economic prosperity. In particular, the Harmonists were an economic force in the textile industry and agriculture. Today, the Old Economy Village stands as a historic village, and is open to visitors during the spring, summer, and fall months.

The Old Economy Village offers guided tours, exhibits and special events in the visitor center, and occasional historic trade workshops. The website offers visitor information, historical information and a calendar of events. In order to contact Old Economy Village via email, use the "email" link located on the left side of the webpage.