Friendship Firehouse Museum [VA]

Description

The Friendship Fire Company was established in 1774, and was the first volunteer fire company in Alexandria. The current firehouse was built in 1855, remodeled in 1871, and renovated in 1992. The Engine Room on the first floor houses hand-drawn fire engines, leather water buckets, axes, sections of early rubber hose, and other historic fire-fighting equipment. An exhibition discusses the development of firefighting technology and other fire companies that have served the citizens of Alexandria. The second floor Meeting Room is furnished the way it was during the late 19th century, the real heyday of Friendship as a community organization. On view here are various ceremonial objects such as parade uniforms, capes, banners, and other regalia. George Washington's association with the Friendship Fire Company, honored by members for over 200 years, is symbolized by several images of him throughout the museum.

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

Hamilton House [Maine]

Description

After railroads made the region accessible in the late 19th century, coastal Maine became a fashionable destination for wealthy summer people. Many of the newcomers bought and restored the fine old houses built during the prosperous years following the American Revolution. In 1898, Mrs. Emily Tyson and her stepdaughter, Elise, purchased the c. 1785 Hamilton House, built on a site overlooking the Salmon Falls River. The Tysons flung themselves into a lifelong project to restore the house to its former glory. Influenced by literary imagery, including the writings of their neighbor and friend, Sarah Orne Jewett, they decorated with a mixture of elegant antiques, painted murals, and simple country furnishings to create their own romantic interpretation of America's colonial past.

The house offers tours and educational and recreational programs.

Historic Cherry Hill [NY]

Description

Historic Cherry Hill is a 1787 residence, occupied by the Van Rensselaer family until 1963. The site presents the changing culture, decorative arts, economic climate, and social classes of the 176 years in which the home was in use. The structure exists in its 1963 state in order to render social and architectural evolution visible to visitors. The Van Rensselaers were originally considered Hudson River manor lords, members of a group of wealthy local Dutch settlers. However, as early as the 1820s, the family began to face economic pressure which would increase with the formation of the millionaire class and the large numbers of immigrants entering the U.S. Collections include more than 20,000 artifacts—from the most mundane household items to rare examples of decorative arts styles—and 30,000 archival documents.

Cherry Hill offers period rooms; tours; interactive educational programs for students; and educational outreach programs for students. Reservations are required for groups of 10 or more. Listening assistance devices are available. The website offers two teaching units for purchase. Both won awards from the American Association for State and Local History.

Tours and on site educational programs are currently unavailable, as the site undergoes restoration. Outreach programming is still available.

Napa Firefighters Museum [CA]

Description

The Napa Firefighters Museum presents the history of the Napa, California firefighting department. Collections include hydrants, extinguishers, firefighting toys, global firehouse images, an 1859 hand pumper, and early 1900s fire engines.

The museum offers exhibits. School tours are encouraged, and can be scheduled outside of normal admission hours.

March Field Air Museum [CA]

Description

The March Field Air Museum presents the history of air and space technology between 1918 to present, aviation accomplishments, and the March Field Air Base. The site displays over 70 historic aircraft and 2,000 artifacts. March Field was first used as a training field for World War I pilots, and the field functioned as a command base during World War II. Aircraft of note include a significant collection of World War II aircraft and the P-59, the first jet to be used by the U.S. Air Force.

The museum offers films, exhibits, a flight simulator, tours, mp3 audio tours, and a weekends-only food vendor. Tours can be arranged, given advance notice, for Spanish speaking or hearing impaired visitors. Advance notice is required for all group tours. Wheelchairs are available for use on site.

Fort Robinson Museum [NE]

Description

From Crazy Horse to the cavalry to the K-9 Corps, Fort Robinson played host to them all. Visitors to the site can experience the long and varied history of this outpost on the Plains. The museum at Fort Robinson is located in the 1905 post headquarters building. Museum exhibits trace the history from the post's role guarding the Red Cloud Agency (1874–77) through the housing of World War II German POWs (1943–46). Among the many fascinating objects in the museum's exhibits are the only known dog kennel from the K-9 Corps of World War II; marksmanship medals earned by Caleb Benson, a Buffalo Soldier at Fort Robinson between 1902 and 1909; and 19th-century Sioux objects related to the Red Cloud Agency. Visitors can explore more than a dozen historic structures and sites such as the 1904 blacksmith shop, the 1908 veterinary hospital, the 1887 officers' quarters, the 1875 guardhouse and adjutant's office, and the old post cemetery.

The site offers exhibits, tours, research library access, and occasional recreational and educational events.

Judy Garland Museum [MN]

Description

The Judy Garland Museum preserves the birthplace of actress Judy Garland (1922-1969). Garland lived in the home for her first four and one half years. The site presents her biographical information and historical context. The actress is perhaps best known for her 1939 role as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz.

The museum offers exhibits.

Harry S Truman Little White House [FL]

Description

The Harry S Truman Little White House has served as a naval station command headquarters of the Spanish American War, World War I, and World War II; President Harry S Truman's Winter White House between 1946 and 1952; and a Cold War response site. The Little White House is a living museum. More than 4/5 of the current furnishings are original to the house's Truman period. Exhibits address the 1948 election, events of 1948, and the 14 presidents who have vacationed in Florida.

The site offers an introductory film, guided tours, tours for students, and self-guided botanical tour. Student tours have different themes depending on group tours, and are available for fourth graders and above. Tour scripts are available in Czech, French, German, Japanese, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish. The website offers historic photographs.

Montauk Historic Site [IA]

Description

Visitors can journey into the past at the home of Iowa's 12th governor, William Larrabee and Anna Larrabee, his wife. They can enjoy a guided tour to see and hear how the Larrabee family furnished and maintained this 1874 vintage brick and natural limestone mansion for more than 100 years. All of the furnishings are original to the house.

The site offers tours and occasional recreational and educational events.

Benton County Historical Museum [OR]

Description

The Benton County Historical Museum is dedicated to preserving the history of Benton County, and the history of the settlement of Oregon and the Willamette Valley. The museum is located in the 1867 Philomath College building, an important local historic landmark that was kept standing by the advocacy of local citizens.

The museum offers exhibits, guided tours, field trip programs, and special presentations. The website offers visitor information, online exhibits, and a calendar of events.