California State Railroad Museum

Description

The California State Railroad Museum in Old Sacramento is a tribute to the role of the "iron horse" in connecting California to the rest of the nation. The museum features 21 restored locomotives and cars, some dating back to 1862. There is a full-scale diorama of an 1860s construction site high in the Sierra Nevada as well as a bridge elevated 24 feet above the museum floor.

The museum offers exhibits, train rides, a short film, tours, research library access, educational programs, and recreational and educational events.

Dorsey Chapel Historic Site [MD]

Description

This small frame meetinghouse-style church is distinguished by its steeply pitched gable roof and late Victorian ornamental treatment of its principal gable front. The upper gable has alternating courses of sawtooth and rectangular shingles, a quatrefoil bulls-eye ornament, and a turned wooden finial at the ridge. Each of the chapel's side walls is lighted by three gothic-arch windows that have delicate tracery in the upper sashes.

The church offers tours.

Trolley Museum of New York

Description

The Trolley Museum of New York presents the history of rail transportation and the effect thereof on the Hudson River Valley. Collections include 21 subway, rapid transit, and trolley cars from throughout the United States and Europe. These cars date from between 1897 and 1952. The museum is located on the foundations of the Ulster and Delaware Railroad Yard's engine house.

The museum offers exhibits, a film, the opportunity to view restoration work in progress, a one and a half-mile trolley ride, and picnic sites along the trolley route.

Pendarvis [WI]

Description

In the 1830s and 1840s, settlers from other parts of the United States and
Europe began to flow into the Wisconsin Territory. They were lured by the prospect of plentiful lead to be had in shallow diggings throughout the region. As the easy lead became scarce, and greater technical knowledge was needed to work the earth for its deeper lead and zinc deposits, immigrants from Cornwall,
England filled the need. These miners and their families made a lasting imprint on southwest Wisconsin.
At Pendarvis, you can see their stone cottages, learn about their lives, and come to understand how their legacy was preserved in the twentieth century.
Pendarvis offers guided tours for groups by reservation from May through October. Please allow at least 3 weeks lead time. For further information, contact by telephone or e-mail.

Pendarvis offers an elementary level educational activity packet available for free download from the web site.

Berkeley County Historical Society [WV]

Description

The Berkeley County Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Berkeley County, West Virginia, founded 1722. To this end, the society operates a museum within the Belle Boyd House. The residence was the childhood home of Belle Boyd (1844-1900), Confederate spy and femme fatale actress. Exhibits topics include the Civil War in the Lower Shenandoah Valley, Belle Boyd, county history, 1860 through 1920 dress, Abraham Lincoln, World War II, the Spanish American War, the Revolutionary War, African American history, and baseball player Hack Wilson. The grounds include an herb garden and a rose garden.

The society offers a 51-minute film, exhibits, gardens, archival access, and research assistance. A fee is charged for research requests.

Workman and Temple Family Homestead Museum [CA]

Description

The Workman and Temple Family Homestead Museum consists of three historic sites—the 1870s Workman House; 1927 Spanish Colonial Revival mansion, La Casa Nueva; and El Campo Santo, a historic private cemetery. La Casa Nueva has been returned to its 1928 appearance, and is used to present southern California history between 1830 and 1930. The residence's art tile and stained glass work are of note. The interior of the Workman House has yet to be restored. The cemetery contains the remains of Pio Pico (1801-1894), last governor of Mexican California.

La Casa Nueva offers period rooms and guided tours. The Workman House offers guided tours. El Campo Sancto offers self-guided tours. The museum also offers guided tours for students, a 10-day 4th grade curriculum unit, a junior curator camp, research library access, and a picnic area. Two weeks advance notice is required for groups of 10 or more. Groups may reserve the picnic area. Tours can be customized to fit visitor interests. Appointments are required for library access.

Babylon Village Historical Society and Museum [NY]

Description

The Babylon Village Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Babylon, NY and the surrounding area. To this end, the society operates a museum of local history. Exhibit topics include 19th-century life, historic farming tools, Victorian life, and life in the 1920s-1940s.

The society offers exhibits, a scholarship, and a fourth grade educational program.

Spokane Sea Services Museum [WA]

Description

The Spokane Sea Services Museum chronicles the history of the USS Spokane, a Jeneau-class cruiser that made its maiden voyage in 1945 at the tail end of World War II. The museum hosts an impressive collection of USS Spokane artifacts an memorabilia.

The museum offers exhibits and guided tours. The website offers basic visitor information regarding the museum, a brief history of the ship, and a photo gallery of the ship.

Underground Gold Miners Museum [CA]

Description

The Underground Gold Miners Museum presents the history of Alleghany, California and its mining district; the Sixteen to One Mine; and area geology. Areas of focus include underground hardrock mining technology and equipment, as well as the lives of California's underground gold miners. The Sixteen to One Mine remained an active gold mine between circa 1896 and 1965.

The museum offers exhibits, and is open for special events and by appointment only.

South Carolina State House

Description

The South Carolina State House has been the site of the South Carolina state legislature since 1907. Construction of the structure itself began in 1857 but was delayed by both architect fraud and the Civil War. Visitors are welcome both on days when the legislative body is in session and when it is not. Each offers a different site experience.

The site offers a 15-minute introductory film and guided tours. Reservations are recommended for group visits.