President James Buchanan's Wheatland [PA]

Description

In 1856 diplomat and statesman James Buchanan was elected the 15th President of the United States at the age of 65. Today, visitors to President James Buchanan's Wheatland can learn more about Pennsylvania's only United States President and explore the story of his presidency; the fractious political issues of the times; and his private life in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and at his Wheatland estate.

The site offers tours, exhibits, educational programs, and recreational and educational events.

La Purísima Mission State Historic Park [CA]

Description

Misión la Purísima Concepción de María Santísima (Mission of the Immaculate Conception of Most Holy Mary) was founded by Father Presidente Fermin de Lasuén on December 8, 1787. It was the 11th of 21 Franciscan Missions established in Alta California. A major earthquake on December 21, 1812, destroyed many of the mission buildings. Father Mariano Payeras received permission to relocate the mission community four miles to the northeast in La Cañada de los Berros, next to El Camino Real. La Purísima Mission was officially established in its new location on April 23, 1813. Materials salvaged from the buildings destroyed by the earthquake were used to construct the new buildings, which were completed within 10 years. The end of the California missions came in 1834, when the Mexican government, which had gained independence from Spain, transferred control of the missions from the Catholic Church to civil authorities. Today, La Purísima Mission State Historic Park is considered the most completely restored mission in California, with 10 of the original buildings fully restored and furnished, including the church, shops, quarters, and blacksmith shop. The mission gardens and livestock represent what would have been found at the mission during the 1820s. Special living history events are scheduled throughout the year. A visitor center features information, displays, and artifacts; and a self-guided tour gives visitors the opportunity to step back in time for a glimpse of a brief, turbulent period in California's history.

The site offers exhibits, tours, living history events, educational programs, and occasional other educational and recreational events.

Camden County Historical Society, Pomona Hall, and Museum [NJ]

Description

The Camden County Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Camden County, New Jersey. To this end, the society operates a 20,000 volume library, the circa 1788 Georgian-style Pomona Hall, and a museum. Pomona Hall offers a glimpse of daily life following the Revolutionary War. The museum presents 300 years of area history, including exhibits on weaving, farming, education, blacksmithing, and transportation.

The society offers research library access, a traveling trunk, and school outreach presentations. Pomona Hall offers period rooms, open hearth cooking demonstrations, spinning demonstrations for students, and student tours. The museum offers exhibits, period rooms, and student tours. Payment of a fee is required for non-members to use the research library.

Radnor Historical Society and the Finley House [PA]

Description

The Radnor Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Radnor, Pennsylvania and the surrounding area. To this end, the society operates the 1789 Finley House. The residence houses a circa 1800 kitchen, a local history exhibit room, the society's library, archives, and a bedroom furnished in the style of circa 1840. The grounds also include a wagon house, which holds historic vehicles, and gardens. Collection highlights include a Conestoga wagon.

The society offers exhibits, period rooms, gardens, and archival access.

Denison Homestead Museum [CT]

Description

The Denison Homestead Museum preserves the 1717 home of George Denison, located on land given to his grandfather for his service as captain of the local militia. Pequotsepos Manor presents the history of the Denison family. Periods depicted include the 1730s, 1775-1785, the 1830s, 1890s, and 1930s. The grounds boast period gardens.

The museum offers period rooms, guided tours, a video or presentation on Frederick Douglass, archaeological digs for students, guided tours for students, guided activities for students, Scout programs, trails, gardens, outreach activities, and a picnic table. Please contact the museum to ascertain which programs will be offered at the time you wish to visit.

Hanover Tavern [VA]

Description

The Hanover Tavern is a 1791 county government building, which would have originally existed within a complex including a courthouse and jail. The tavern complex has served as a Union and Confederate boarding house and the site of the first U.S. armed slave insurrection, the 1800 Gabriel's Slave Rebellion. Today, the site serves as a historic interpretive center, community center, and restaurant.

The tavern offers workshops, lectures, family nights, and self-guided tours.

Monterey State Historic Park [CA]

Description

Visitors to this park can step into the past on the "Monterey Walking Path of History" and view the site where Spanish explorers first landed in Monterey in 1602; see one of the nation's last remaining whalebone sidewalks; and walk the same streets that author Robert Louis Stevenson walked in 1879 as they explore this two-mile path and discover some of California's most historic homes, buildings, and gardens along the way. Monterey served as California's capital under Spanish, Mexican, and U.S. military rule. The U.S. flag was first officially raised in California here on July 7, 1846, bringing 600,000 square miles of land to the United States. Ten buildings, including the Custom House, the oldest government building in California, and several residences (now house museums with guided tours), are all part of the Path of History.

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

Brockton Historical Society and Museums [MA]

Description

The Brockton Historical Society operates several museums relevant to the history of Brockton, Massachusetts. These include a fire museum; shoe museum; and a historic residence, known as The Homestead. The 1767 Homestead has not been restored to a specific period's appearance. It contains a local history library, as well as exhibits on Thomas Edison, shoes, and heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano (1923-1969). The shoe museum contains shoes from throughout U.S. history, as well as several pairs worn by celebrities. The Brockton Fire Museum is listed separately within this database.

The society offers exhibits. The website offers video clips of Rocky Marciano and Marvin Hagler and historic images.

Clermont State Historic Site [NY]

Description

Clermont was inhabited by seven successive generations of the Livingston family from 1730 to 1962. Clermont's most distinguished resident was Chancellor Robert R. Livingston, negotiator of the Louisiana Purchase and co-inventor of America's first practical steamboat. Set amidst historic gardens, the house commands a fine view of the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains.

The site offers tours, exhibits, educational programs, and occasional recreational and educational events (including living history events).

Bronx County Historical Society, Poe Cottage, and the Museum of Bronx History [NY]

Description

The Bronx County Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of the Bronx, New York City. To this end, the society operates a research library, the county archives, the Poe Cottage, and a local history museum within the 1758 Valentine-Varian House. The 1812 Poe Cottage was Edgar Allan Poe's final home. He lived on site between 1846 and 1849. "Annabel Lee" was written during this time. Poe (1809-1849) is credited with creating the detective fiction genre, as well as being an early writer of American short stories. He is classified as a Romantic author; and his poetry, short stories, and novels lean toward the macabre. Famous works include "The Raven," "The Black Cat," "The Masque of the Red Death," "The Murders in the Rue Morgue," "The Tell-Tale Heart," and "Annabel Lee."

The society offers student tours and interactive activities in both historic homes, presentations for students, outreach programs for students, and neighborhood walking tours for students. The Poe Cottage offers period rooms, an introductory video, and guided tours. The Museum of Bronx History offers rotating exhibits. Both the archives and research library are open to the public by appointment. Payment of a fee is required for research assistance.

The Poe Cottage is undergoing renovations. Please check the website to verify that it will be open at the time which you wish to visit.