Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History [MI]

Description

The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History presents the history and culture of African Americans and their points of origin within Africa. It is is the world's largest institution dedicated to the African American experience. The museum boasts over 30,000 artifacts and archives, including major Underground Railroad and Detroit labor movement collections. Permanent exhibits include a historical overview of the African American experience, an interactive alphabet exhibit, and several large–scale works of art.

The museum offers exhibits; living history tours; tours led by museum educators; self–guided tours; workshops; films; live performances; lectures; a research library; a summer teacher's institute; and a designated dining area with sandwich, fruit, and beverage vending. Reservations are required for school groups, and the museum offers pizza and soda for an additional fee. The website offers a list of Michigan educational standards which correspond to traveling and permanent exhibits; a Martin Luther King, Jr. activity book; and an Internet treasure hunt.

Peabody Historical Society and Museums

Description

The Peabody Historical Society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving Peabody's rich history and heritage. Its headquarters, the General Gideon Foster House, has become a museum, housing most of the Society's many collections. Each room of the house features displays relating to Peabody's historic past. It is also the site of the Society's research library. Each room of the house features displays relating to Peabody's historic past. The Society also maintains the Peabody Fire Museum; housed in an old fire station, it displays firefighting artifacts and equipment on its first floor.

The museums offer exhibits and tours; the society offers lectures and occasional educational and recreational events.

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.