Massachusetts Historical Society [MA]

Description

The Massachusetts Historical Society is an independent research library and manuscript repository. The society holds millions of rare and unique documents, many of which are vital to the study of national history and are national treasures. Examples of society treasures include architectural drawing by Thomas Jefferson and correspondence between John and Abigail Adams.

The society offers a research library, educational programs, lesson plans complete with primary sources from the society, and teacher workshops. The website offers visitor information, information regarding the educational resources offered by the website, an online catalog, and a collection of online primary resources. In order to contact the society via email, use the "contact us" link located at the top of the webpage under the "About MHS" tab.

Mystic Seaport: The Museum of America and the Sea [CT]

Description

Mystic Seaport: The Museum of America and the Sea, located in Mystic, CT, takes visitors back to an era when seaports were the hub of the New England economy. Today, the site presents a representation of the trades and businesses typical of a mid-to-late 19th-century seaport, including those which would have been located on the water's edge and others which would have operated further inland. Trades and skills represented within the village include medicine, general sales, chandlery sales, navigation, life saving, cooperage, blacksmithing, sail making, rigging suppliers, whaling, commercial fishery, oystering, and rope making.

The village also contains a church, seamen's friends site, residences of several periods, and other structures, the vast majority of which are period. Vessel highlights include the last wooden whaleship in the world, a Newfoundland commercial fishing schooner, and a lighthouse tender used to smuggle Jews out of Nazi-occupied Denmark.

The seaport is also home to exhibits of maritime history and art, a planetarium, carefully restored tall ships and historic vessels, and a working preservation shipyard. Demonstrations depict whale boat stations and rowing, period domestic life, life saving techniques, rope making, sail hauling and furling, and sea chanteys.

The seaport offers a planetarium, traditional and interactive exhibits, presentations, field trip programs, interpretive activities aboard the seaport's fleet of ships, outreach programs, summer camps, a playground, children's games and activities, living history demonstrations and reenactors, opportunities to sail or row, steamship and catboat rides, a water taxi, adult and college classes, guided and self-guided tours, and overnight activities.

The museum is designed to engage, educate, and entertain visitors of all ages; and also offers collections and research library access at a location near the main museum complex. The website offers visitor information, online research resources, a calendar of events, and information regarding all of the programs offered by the seaport. In order to contact the website via email, use the "contact us" link located on the left side of the webpage.

The Charles W. Morgan, the whaling barque, is currently under restoration in the Preservation Shipyard. This is an excellent opportunity to see master craftsmen at work on an outstanding vessel, and to get a sense of vessel construction.

Fort Flagler State Park [WA]

Description

Fort Flagler was built in the 1890s in order to guard the entrance to the Puget Sound. Decommissioned in 1953, the fort now serves as a state park and houses a military museum.

The fort offers five miles of hiking trails, guided tours, exhibits in the museum, and occasional special events. The website offers visitor information and a brief history of the fort.

Albany Township Historical Society [PA]

Description

Swedish Immigrants founded Albany Township in the 1750s. The Albany Township Historical Society seeks to preserve the unique historical heritage of the township, and maintains a local history museum.

The society offers exhibits and guided tours in the museum, along with occasional special events. The website offers visitor information and a brief history of the website.

Fireman's Hall Museum [PA]

Description

The Fireman's Hall Museum, located within 1902 firehouse, presents the history of firefighting in Philadelphia; and promotes fire prevention techniques. Collections include historic firefighting apparatus and photographs.

The museum offers traditional and interactive exhibits. The website offers trivia questions, safety suggestions, games, and activities.

Dothan Landmark Park [AL]

Description

The Dothan Landmark Park presents the history of southeastern Alabama. Site features include a living history farm, set in the 1890s; a one-room schoolhouse; a historic church; and a historic general store. Exhibits discuss agriculture and wildlife.

The park offers exhibits, living history interpreters, nature trails, a planetarium, and a picnic site.

Historical Society of Carroll County and Museums [MD]

Description

The Historical Society of Carroll County seeks to preserve and share the history of Carroll County, Maryland. To this end, the society operates three historic structures—the 1807 Sherman-Fisher-Shellman House, the circa 1800 Kimmey House, and the circa 1820 Cockey's Tavern. The Kimmey House presents local historical artifacts. Collection artifacts date from the 18th century to present.

The Sherman-Fisher-Shellman House offers period rooms, styled to 1807 specifications. The Kimmey House offers a research library and exhibits.

Cockey's Tavern is currently closed for renovation.

East Linn Museum [OR]

Description

The East Linn Museum presents the history of the Sweet Home, Oregon area through period rooms and exhibits of vernacular items. Collection highlights include historical cameras, telephones, and firearms. The period covered extends from 1852 to present.

The museum offers period rooms and exhibits.

Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site [KY]

Description

The Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site preserves the site of a Mississippian village and burial mounds. The Mississippians inhabited the village between 1100 and 1350. Exhibit topics include Mississippian artifacts, architecture, and burial practices. The village no longer exists, but the mounds are accessible. The Mississippians are also referred to as the Mound Builders.

The site offers exhibits, hands-on activities, museum tours, walking trails, educational programs, and a picnic site. The website offers pre-visit activities and guide sheets.