National Portrait Gallery [DC]

Description

The National Portrait Gallery is a fascinating museum that showcases portraits of America's most famous and influential figures. Using a variety of mediums and styles, famous artists have created likenesses of presidents, artists, writers, politicians, etc. and historians place their importance in context.

Students visiting the museum can take a docent-led interactive tour of the museum based on educational standards (60-90 min.). Interactive educational programs are offered for grades K-12 on a variety of topics. Teacher resources can be downloaded from the website. Teacher workshops are also available year-round.

Osceola County Historical Society, Museum, and Pioneer Village [FL]

Description

The Osceola County Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of the Kissimmee and St. Cloud areas, Florida. To this end, the society operates a museum and a historical village, which depicts early pioneer life in the state of Florida. Permanent exhibits include general local history and the county citrus industry. The village includes a schoolhouse, blacksmith shop, citrus packing house, wash and smoke house, residence, cattleman camp, country store, and water tower.

The society offers exhibits, period rooms, field trip programs about pioneer or cattleman life, outreach presentations for schools, a high school history club, a Scout program, continuing education programs, summer camps, and research library access.

California African American Museum

Description

The California African American Museum presents African American art, history, and culture. The museum's permanent exhibit addresses life in West Africa, experiences in the American South, and the Great Migration toward the western coast. Highlights include traditional headdresses and masks. Collections include landscapes, traditional and modern arts, and other artifacts of historical note.

The museum offers exhibits, guided tours, lectures, craft activities, films, performances, readings, discussions, and a high school docent internship. Groups of 10 or more are asked to make reservations. The website offers educator resource guides for purchase.

Southwest Seattle Historical Society and Log House Museum [WA]

Description

The Society's Log House Museum is located in a renovated turn-of-the-century log structure which once served as a carriage house, or stable, to the Fir Lodge. The 1900s Fir Lodge was one of the first year-round homes built on Alki Beach and was owned by prominent Seattleites, William and Gladys Bernard. Today, the carriage house houses exhibits on local history.

The site offers exhibits, tours, and educational programs.

Francis X. Pendl Nassau County Firefighters Museum and Education Center [NY]

Description

The Francis X. Pendl Nassau County Firefighters Museum and Education Center presents the history of firefighting in Nassau County, New York communities. Collections include historic and modern apparatus and uniforms. An interactive exhibit focuses on fire safety.

The museum offers traditional and interactive exhibits, interactive fire safety and prevention presentations for students, and senior programs.

Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation [MT]

Description

The Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation seeks to preserve and share the history of the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1803-1806) and the physical sites thereof. To this end, the headquarters hosts the non-circulating William P. Sherman Library and Archives.

The foundation offers research library access, educator training, and research assistance. Appointments are required for library access. The website offers a curriculum guide for purchase, a video, and children's games and activities.

Museum of Colquitt County History [GA]

Description

The Museum of Colquitt County History presents the history of Colquitt County, Georgia. Exhibit topics and displays include Native American artifacts, face jugs, a small scale Chickee dwelling, a Confederate memorial and artifacts, vernacular and home artifacts, 20th-century life, tobacco, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and education.

The museum offers exhibits and a high school self study course on the Confederacy. Tours are available outside of normal museum hours with advance notice.

Jefferson Landing State Historic Site [MO]

Description

Jefferson Landing State Historic Site is significant as a rare surviving Missouri River landing. The Lohman Building, built in 1839, is a sturdy stone structure that served as a tavern and hotel, and in its heyday also housed one of the city's largest warehouse and mercantile businesses. Today, the main floor contains a visitor center with exhibits on transportation. Across the street from the Lohman Building is the Union Hotel, built in 1855. Today, the hotel houses the Elizabeth Rozier Gallery with its program of rotating exhibits emphasizing Missouri art and culture. A block away, the Missouri State Capitol is more than just the seat of government. Inside the Capitol, the Missouri State Museum houses an impressive collection of exhibits that portray Missouri's history, legends, and cultural achievements. A free guided tour is recommended to fully experience this monument to Missouri, but visitors can explore the four floors of the Capitol by themselves.

The site offers exhibits, tours, and a short film.