Berkeley Plantation [VA]

Description

Berkeley Plantation is the birthplace of Benjamin Harrison V (1726-1791), Governor of Virginia and signer of the Declaration of Independence, and William Henry Harrison (1773-1841) or "Old Tippecanoe", ninth President of the United States. The plantation lands were also the site of the first official Thanksgiving in 1619 and of the composition of "Taps" in 1862. The structure itself is Georgian in style and dates to 1726. Collections include 18th-century decorative arts, Civil War artifacts, and paintings by Sydney King.

The plantation offers house tours led by guides in period dress, period rooms, exhibits, an audio-visual program, self-guided tours of the grounds, and guided student tours. Student tour topic options include the life of children in the 18th century, William Henry Harrison, and Civil War Major General George McClellan (1826-1885) and Harrison's Landing circa 1862.

Lehigh County Historical Society [PA]

Description

The Lehigh County Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley. To this end, the society operates a museum, six historical sites, and a research library. Collections include more than 35,000 artifacts and close to 3 million archival documents. Historical sites include the 1770 Trout Hall, the 1756 Troxell-Steckel Farm, the 1893 Claussville One-room School, Haines Mill, the 1868 Lock Ridge Furnace, and the 1893 Saylor Park Cement Kilns.

The society offers exhibits; guided tours; archival and library access; and outreach living history presentations, slide shows, and videos. Interactive school tours include pre- and post-visit material, and were developed in accordance with state educational standards. The society can provide boxed lunches upon request.

Woodlawn Museum [ME]

Description

Woodlawn Museum is a historic home, containing its original furnishings. Collections include both European and American art, furniture, carriages, and sleighs. Completed in 1827, Woodlawn housed a major area timber and land dealing family.

The museum offers guided tours, period rooms, free croquet lessons, an annual lecture series, a hands-on historic game library, and gardens. All special events include children's activities. Reservations are required for school tours. Picnic lunches are welcome on grounds. The website offers children's activities.

Vincennes State Historic Sites [IN]

Description

The Vincennes State Historic Sites commemorate Indiana's early state history—with the city itself founded in 1732. Structures include the 1805 Indiana Territory capital building; a historic print shop; the birthplace of the author Maurice Thompson; an 1838 bank; Fort Knox II, hospital to the wounded of the Battle of Tippecanoe; the 1801 Jefferson Academy; and a prehistoric burial mound. Maurice Thompson (1844-1901) authored 1900's bestselling romance novel, Alice of Old Vincennes. Topics covered include slavery, military life, domestic life, historical sciences, the fur trade.

The sites offer period rooms, educational outreach programs, group tours, educational presentations, interpretive signage, educational programs, lesson plans, and summer camps.

Huntington Historical Society and Historic Structures [NY]

Description

The Huntington Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Huntington, New York. To that end, the society operates four historical structures: the 1795 Dr. Daniel Kissam House Museum, 1750 David Conklin Farmhouse, Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Building, and the Huntington Sewing and Trade School. The trade school building, which housed one of the United States' earliest vocational schools, now holds the society's library.

The Dr. Daniel Kissam House Museum offers period rooms and exhibits, while the David Conklin Farmhouse offers guided tours and period rooms in Colonial, Federal, and Victorian styles. The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Building offers exhibits. The society also offers interactive educational outreach programs with slide presentations, interactive educational programs led by costumed interpreters and aligned with state educational standards, day camps, lectures, after-school programs, and outreach lectures. The Dr. Daniel Kissam House Museum is open by appointment only, and reservations are required for group tours of the David Conklin Farmhouse. Students may use the archives free of charge.

Montpelier Mansion [MD]

Description

A fine example of Georgian architecture, popular in Maryland in the late 1700s, Montpelier Mansion sits on approximately 70 acres of beautiful parkland. Architectural and building construction details, as well as historical research, suggest that the house was constructed between 1781 and 1785. Major Thomas Snowden and his wife Anne, original owners of Montpelier Mansion, welcomed many distinguished guests into their home including George Washington and Abigail Adams. Today, the Mansion is operated as a house museum. Select rooms have been researched and furnished as they would have appeared from the end of the 18th century until 1830. A boxwood-lined pathway runs through the garden to the original 18th-century summer house.

The mansion offers tours, educational programs, lectures, and occasional educational and recreational events.

Oriskany Museum [NY]

Description

The Oriskany Museum, located in Oriskany, New York, is focused on chronicling the history of the Battle of Oriskany in 1777, the town of Oriskany, NY, and the carrier USS Oriskany. The museum is operated by the Oriskany Reunion Association, which coordinates reunions and memorabilia sales for the now-defunct USS Oriskany. The carrier was recently sunk and now serves as the world's largest artificial reef.

The museum offers tours and artifacts from the history of Oriskany and the USS Oriskany. The website offers a detailed history of the ship, a history of the town, and a history of the battle. In addition, the website offers visitor information regarding the museum.

Historical Society of Carroll County and Museums [MD]

Description

The Historical Society of Carroll County seeks to preserve and share the history of Carroll County, Maryland. To this end, the society operates three historic structures—the 1807 Sherman-Fisher-Shellman House, the circa 1800 Kimmey House, and the circa 1820 Cockey's Tavern. The Kimmey House presents local historical artifacts. Collection artifacts date from the 18th century to present.

The Sherman-Fisher-Shellman House offers period rooms, styled to 1807 specifications. The Kimmey House offers a research library and exhibits.

Cockey's Tavern is currently closed for renovation.

Historic Cold Spring Village [NJ]

Description

Historic Cold Spring Village presents daily life in South Jersey between 1790 and 1840. The site includes gardens, heritage crops, a farm, and 26 restored buildings. These buildings include an inn, a schoolhouse, a print shop, a pottery shop, a blacksmith shop, a bookbindery, and several residences.

The village offers history exhibits, a 7-minute introductory film, period rooms, costumed living history interpreters, a children's activity area, outreach presentations, a junior trade apprenticeship program, and multiple concession and meal sites. Reservations are appreciated. Please notify the village if you feel that you or your group require handicapped accommodations. The website offers games, craft ideas, and recipes.

LaGrange Plantation [MD]

Description

LaGrange Plantation is home to the Dorchester County Historical Society, which seeks to preserve and share the history of Dorchester County, Maryland. To this end, the society operates several museums and an archive. The circa 1760 Georgian Meredith House displays decorative arts pieces and artifacts pertaining to the seven Maryland governors from Dorchester County. The Nelid Museum presents local agricultural life from colonial times onward. The Goldsborough Stable presents transportation and trade artifacts. The workshop of Ron Rue, noted huntng decoy maker; a historic food storage structure and smokehouse; and a colonial-style herb garden are also on site.

The plantation offers exhibits, period rooms, and a historically styled garden. The website offers a video tour of the Nelid Museum.