Danbury Museum and Historical Society [CT]

Description

The Danbury Museum and Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of New England. Particular emphasis is given to that of Danbury, Connecticut. The Danbury Museum includes the circa 1785 John and Mary Rider House, circa 1790 Dodd Hat Shop, Marian Anderson Studio, and Charles Ives Birthplace. Additional exhibits and a research library are located within Huntington Hall. Marian Anderson (1897-1993) was an internationally recognized contralto, while Charles Ives (1874-1954) is known for his career as a Modernist composer.

The society offers exhibits, summer camps, and research assistance. Fees are charged for research conducted on request. The library is only accessible to museum members.

Empire Mine State Historic Park [CA]

Description

Empire Mine State Historic Park is the site of one of the oldest, largest, deepest, longest, and richest gold mines in California. In existence for more than 100 years, the mine produced 5.6 million ounces of gold before it closed in 1956. The park contains many of the mine's buildings, the owner's home. and restored gardens, as well as the entrance to 367 miles of abandoned and flooded mine shafts.

The park offers exhibits, tours, living history presentations and events, and occasional recreational and educational events.

California Law Enforcement Historical Society

Description

The California Law Enforcement Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of law enforcement officers in California. To this end, the society operates a mobile history museum. The museum addresses the years between 1850, when California officially became a state, to present day. Collection highlights include historic patches and badges.

The society offers exhibits.

Herreshoff Marine Museum / America's Cup Hall of Fame [RI]

Description

The Herreshoff Marine Museum / America's Cup Hall of Fame celebrates the unique accomplishments of the Herreshoff family and the related drama of the America's Cup races. From 1863 to 1945, the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, on the site of the present day Museum, produced the world's finest yachts. The genius of naval architect Captain Nathanael Greene Herreshoff along with the business acumen of his blind older brother John Brown Herreshoff truly built the "better mouse trap" for which the world beat a path to Bristol. Today, visitors from around the world see the nation's finest collection of yachts, all Herreshoff and many more than 100 years old. They can view the design models recording Captain Nat's design genius and see the products of his innovations. The companion America's Cup Hall of Fame is the international center for appreciation of the Cup.

The museum offers exhibits, research library access, lectures, classes, and occasional recreational and educational programs; the hall offers exhibits.

Virginia Aviation Museum [VA]

Description

Located in Richmond, Virginia, the Virginia Aviation Museum features the spectacular SR-71 Blackbird as well as 36 historic vintage aircraft and other pieces of aviation memorabilia. The museum also is home to the Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame.

The museum offers exhibits, field trip programs, outreach programs, and occasional special events such as the annual Air Fair. The website offers visitor information, information regarding some of the aircraft on display, and information regarding the educational programs offered.

Oregon Coast History Center [OR]

Description

The Oregon Coast History Center seeks to preserve and share the history of Lincoln County, Oregon and the Central Oregon Coast. To this end, the society operates the Burrows House and Log Cabin. The 1895 Queen Anne-style Burrows House. The house offers exhibits on local history, a law office setting, and a Victorian parlor. The Log Cabin presents Lincoln County history, including maritime history, local bridges, and Native American life. Plans exist to create a maritime history center. Collections include more than 40,000 artifacts dating as far back as 1850. Collection highlights include the charter boat, Kingfisher.

The center offers exhibits, period rooms, district walking tours, educational outreach programs, research library access, oral histories, and research assistance. The log cabin includes a children's hands-on learning area. Reservations are required for group tours.

Jefferson County Historical Society Museum and Village [lL]

Description

The Museum and the Village, with its buildings and their contents, reflect life in Jefferson County from the mid-19th century to more recent years. Among the furnished buildings one finds homes of the 19th century, a one-room school, a log church and log jail, operating blacksmith and print shops, merchandise in the general store, and a variety of medical equipment from a foot-treadle dentist's drill to a Civil War amputation kit in the Medical Building. The Museum currently houses exhibits of the history of telephones and weaving and of military personnel and their lives from the Civil War to the current armed forces, as well as collections donated by Jefferson County residents.

The museum and village offer exhibits and occasional educational and recreational events.

Hat Museum [OR]

Description

The Hat Museum presents over 900 hats. Collections include modern hats, novelty hats, men's hats, and hats from between 1880 and 1980. Historical hats have been selected to exemplify the most characteristic styles and details of their day. The 1910 Arts and Crafts Ladd-Reingold House, in which the museum is located, was the home of an early 1900s milliner.

The museum offers exhibits. Reservations are required.

Museum of Automobiles [AR]

Description

The Museum of Automobiles presents historic automobiles, related memorabilia, historic arcade machines, an antique gas pump, a player piano, and antique firearms. The museum permanent collection consists of 30 vehicles—with others on loan from locations throughout the U.S. Vehicles on display date from 1904 through 1969.

The museum offers exhibits. Advance notice is required for groups.