Historical Society of Old Newbury [MA]

Description

The Historical Society of Old Newbury seeks to preserve and share the history of Newbury, Massachusetts, including Newburyport, West Newbury, Byfield, and Plum Island. To this end, the society operates the Cushing House Museum & Garden, which houses the society's collections. Example artifacts include four Chinese coastal Hong paintings; a 17th–century Dutch cradle; local furnishings; silver; needlework; fans; hatboxes; 19th–century toys; clocks; and a painting by Cecilia Beaux (1855–1942), an American society portrait artist.

The society offers exhibits, museum tours, a research library and research assistance.

The Fort at No.4 Living History Museum [NH]

Description

The Fort at No.4 Living History Museum presents the experience of life as a settler in the 1740s, the time during which the original fort was settled. Daily demonstrations include hearth cooking, musket firing, and military drills. The site includes 12 reconstructed homes; a reconstructed great chamber and watch tower; and exhibits on the Abenaki, members of the Algonquin. Smaller divisions of the Abenaki include the Sokoki, Panacook, and Cowasck.

The museum offers tours by guides in period dress, exhibits, hands-on activities, demonstrations, docents depicting actual period figures, and period rooms. The website offers printable student activities, lesson plans, curriculum resources, and a post–visit activity.

West Sacramento Historical Society [CA]

Description

The West Sacramento Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of West Sacramento and East Yolo County, California. The society operates a museum and several interpretive displays located throughout the area. Collection highlights include three fire engines—a 1926 Federal with Dodge Brothers engine, a 1937 Chevy wooden tanker, and a 1954 or '55 International engine.

The museum offers exhibits.

Milford Historical Society and Museum [MI]

Description

The Milford Historical Society seeks to spread knowledge of the history of Milford, Michigan and the community thereof. To this end, they have established a museum and a research and archives room. The museum is housed in an 1853 Greek revival home, originally erected by a local cabinet maker. The building has previously been a home to local merchants and the offices for Milford Village, Milford Township, and the local police department. The upper floor is furnished in a late Victorian style, and contains locally made furniture. In contrast, the lower floor recreates 1830s cabin life.

The society offers museum exhibits and a research room.

Quincy Historical Society [MA]

Description

The Quincy Historical Society presents the history of Quincy, Massachusetts, best known as the home of John and Abigail Adams and John Quincy Adams, and the its contributions to ways of life in the United States. Other notable influences from Quincy include use of their granite supplies; the "Quincy Method" in education; the Fore River Shipyard and its products; and Howard Johnson ice cream, restaurants, and hotels. The Adams Academy, which houses the society, used to function as a boys' college preparatory school and dates to 1872. Gothic revival in style and using local granite, the academy stands on the previous site of the house in which patriot John Hancock was born.

The society offers exhibits, guest lectures, guest performances, curricula, public speaking by request, several publications, and a non-circulating library.

Save Our Cemeteries [LA]

Description

Save Our Cemeteries presents information on and aims to protect New Orleans' 31 historic cemeteries. The organization is actively involved in cemetery preservation and tomb restoration. Tours are offered in two cemeteries: Lafayette and St. Louis. Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 is located in the historic Garden District. Once part of the Livaudais Plantation, Lafayette No. 1 was designated a city burial site in 1833, and has since been in continuous use. Distinguished by its intersecting avenues, designed to accommodate funeral processions, it was the City's first planned cemetery. St. Louis No. 1 was founded in 1789; and is the burial ground of Etienne Boré, pioneer in sugar development; Daniel Clark, financial supporter of the American Revolution; and Paul Morphy, world famous chess champion. Notable structures include the oven wall vaults and the tombs of the French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish societies.

The organization offers lectures and cemetery tours, including tours for school groups. Save Our Cemeteries also hosts cemetery cleaning events for which it encourages school participation.

Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum [IA]

Description

The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum is a nationally recognized center for the study of 20th–century history and the American presidency, as well as offering exhibits relevant to the life of Herbert Hoover (1874–1964), 31st President of the United States.

The site offers exhibits, a research library, guided tours, and special events including concerts and reenactments. The website offers a variety of other online sources for students and educators, including lesson plans; games; digital image archives; digital copies of major Hoover documents; and information and activities focusing on the life of Laura Ingalls Wilder (1867–1957), pioneer and author of Little House in the Big Woods and its sequels.