Northern Indiana Historical Society and Center for History

Description

The Northern Indiana Historical Society operates the Center for History. The center consists of a Victorian mansion, a circa 1820 cottage, local and Notre Dame history exhibits, and a children's museum. The 1896 Romanesque Queen Anne mansion Copshaholm contains its original furnishings. The residence was home to J.D. Oliver, president of the Oliver Chilled Plow Works. The grounds hold of 2.5-acres of gardens, restored to their 1915 appearance.

The center offers exhibits, period rooms, guided tours of Copshaholm and the Worker's Home, student exhibit and house tours, summer camps, educational programs for students, and archive access. Neither Copshaholm nor the Worker's Home is wheelchair accessible. Appointments are recommended for archive access. The cottage is only open during annual educational events. The website offers an mp3 self-guided West Washington Street walking tour and a curriculum guide for Copshaholm.

The children's museum is currently closed for renovation.

Amistad Research Center [LA]

Description

The Amistad Research Center is the largest independent archives within the U.S., focusing on African American history, as well as the histories of other ethnic groups. Collections include 250,000 photographs from 1859 onward, manuscripts, and 800 African and African American artworks.

The center offers archive access, 45-minute guided tours, and art exhibits. Reservations are required for all groups, and must be made at least two weeks in advance. The website offers digital collection access.

Vermont State Historical Society and Museum

Description

The Vermont State Historical Society presents the history of the state of Vermont from the days of Abenaki dominance to circa 2000. To this end, the society operates a museum and a history and genealogy research library. The Vermont History Museum's permanent exhibit depicts change over time through a series of full-size period settings, interpreting the state motto, "Freedom and Unity." Collection highlights include the document which officially admitted Vermont to the Union and shoe buckles once worn by Ethan Allen (1738-1789), who helped capture Fort Ticonderoga in 1775.

The society offers exhibits, curriculum-based guided student tours with hands-on activities, curriculum-based student educational programs, traveling trunk rentals, a lending library for educators, in-service educator training, family workshops, and research library access. Students and members may use the library free of charge. The website offers virtual exhibits, transcriptions of select manuscripts and Civil War diaries and letters, historical photographs, and lesson plans.

Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest [IL]

Description

The Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest seeks to preserve and share the history of Oak Park and River Forest, Illinois. To this end, the society operates a research center.

The society offers exhibits, non-circulating research library access, speakers, and a hands-on children's room. Appointments must be made at least 24 hours in advance for library access. The website offers historical photographs.

Faulkner County Historical Society and Museum [AR]

Description

The Faulkner County Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Faulkner County, AR. To this end, the society operates the Faulkner County Museum. Exhibits within the museum address how the people of Faulkner County, beginning with local Native Americans, have adapted their daily lives to the surrounding environment.

The society offers exhibits and guided group tours of the museum.

Gig Harbor Peninsula Historical Society and Harbor History Museum [WA]

Description

The Gig Harbor Peninsula Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of the greater Gig Harbor Peninsula, WA. To this end, the society operates the Harbor History Museum.

The society offers exhibits, outreach presentations and activities for students, traveling trunks, traveling exhibits, and research center access.

The museum, including the research center, is closed for relocation. Tours of the new facility are available by appointment.

Hebron Historical Society [CT]

Description

The Hebron Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Hebron, CT.

The society offers customizable group programs; bi-monthly speakers; and tours of the Old Town Hall, Burrows Hill School House, and Gull School House. Please contact the society to arrange a tour or group program.

Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park and Chaw'se Regional Indian Museum [CA]

Description

Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park nestles in a little valley 2,400 feet above sea level with open meadows and large valley oaks that once provided the native Americans of this area with an ample supply of acorns. The park was created in 1968 and preserves a great outcropping of marbleized limestone with some 1,185 mortar holes—the largest collection of bedrock mortars in North America. The Museum has been designed to reflect the architecture of the traditional roundhouse. Exhibited in this two-story museum are outstanding examples of the technology and crafts of the Miwok and other Sierra Nevada native American groups.

The park offers exhibits, tours, educational programs, and occasional recreational and educational events.