Friends of Historic Kingston [NY]

Description

The Friends of Historic Kingston is a preservation organization dedicated to maintaining and restoring the architectural heritage of Kingston, New York, the state's original capital city. The organization also operates the Fred J. Johnston Museum, the Friends of Historic Kingston Museum, the Louw-Bogardus Ruin in Frog Alley Park, and the Sharp Burying Ground. The ruins offer an exhibit depicting the 1658 Kingston stockade. The Fred J. Johnston Museum consists of Johnston's (1911-1993) collection of 18th- and early 19th-century furniture and decorative arts, located within the antique dealer's own home and showroom. The circa 1812 structure itself is Federal in style. The Friends of Historic Kingston Museum contains exhibits relevant to local history and Kingston's contemporary art scene.

The organization offers two-hour guided walking tours of the Historic Stockade District, guided walking tours of the Rondout District, a treasure hunt tour of the Stockade District designed for children between 7 and 12 years of age, lectures, exhibits, historic skill demonstrations, and guided tours of the Fred J. Johnston Museum. Appointments are required for groups interested in the district walking tour and/or viewing the Johnston house and museum.

Kimball Jenkins Estate [NH]

Description

The estate includes an 1883 Victorian mansion, art school, and exhibition galleries. Gallery themes include student, teacher, and regional works; new regional artists; and art from throughout the U.S., which is deemed historically important.

The estate offers exhibits, art classes, and a children's summer camp.

Banneker-Douglass Museum [MD]

Description

The Banneker-Douglass Museum presents African American history within Maryland. Collections include vernacular artifacts, art from both Maryland and Africa, rare books, and documents.

The museum offers exhibits, guided tours, traveling exhibits, and non-circulating library access. Two weeks advance notice is required for school groups desiring a guided tour.

Vachel Lindsay Home

Description

This antebellum site is the birthplace and longtime home of poet (Nicholas) Vachel Lindsay. Lindsay was internationally known in the early 20th century for his poetry, the artwork he created to illustrate the poetry, and his animated performances of his work.

The site offers tours.

Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park [CA]

Description

Originally built in 1856 by Gold Rush merchant Sheldon Fogus, the Mansion was later purchased and remodeled (twice) by Leland and Jane Stanford. Leland Stanford served as Governor of California from 1862–1863. The Mansion served as the office of three governors during the turbulent 1860s: Leland Stanford, Fredrick Low, and Henry Haight. Today, it stands as an example of the splendor and elegance of the Victorian era in California. On a tour of the 19,000-square-foot Mansion visitors will see 17-foot ceilings, gilded mirrors and detailed carved moldings, restored woodwork, 19th-century crystal and bronze light fixtures, historic paintings, recreated carpeting and draperies based on photographs from the 1870s to match the original interior design; original period furnishings that belonged to the Stanfords; and 19th-century-style gardens.

The site offers a short film, exhibits, tours, and occasional recreational and educational events.

YMI Cultural Center [NC]

Description

The YMI Cultural Center presents African American culture and history. The center is located within the 1892 Tudor-style Young Men's Institute, constructed at the request of James Vanderbilt for the African American men who had built Vanderbilt's Biltmore House. The building held a drugstore, doctor's office, public library, funeral parlor, gym, kindergarten, and church services for the local African American population. Permanent exhibits showcase the history of the Vanderbilts and the YMI Cultural Center, as well as the drawings of artist Charles W. White, a noted Social Realist.

The center offers exhibts; a traveling exhibit of stamps depicting African Americans of historical note; and art workshops. The traveling exhibit is available to area schools. The website offers a virtual exhibit, An Unmarked Trail: Stories of African Americans in Buncombe County from 1850-1900.

T.C. Steele State Historic Site [IN]

Description

The T.C. Steele State Historic Site preserves the home of American Impressionist and portraitist Theodore Clement Steele (1847-1926) and his wife Selma Neubacher Steele (1870-1945). As such, the site was once privy to visits from a wide range of U.S. artists. The grounds include the 1907 "House of the Singing Winds," two studios, a garage, guest cottages, and remote painting shacks to permit outdoor painting in a wide range of weather conditions.

The site offers guided building tours, a summer camp, educational programs which meet state standards, educational outreach programs, trails, gardens, and a nature preserve.

Ocracoke Preservation Society and Museum [NC]

Description

The Ocracoke Preservation Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Ocracoke Island, NC. To this end, the society operates a museum and research library within the circa 1900 David Williams House. The residence's namesake and original owner served as the first Coast Guard Chief at the local station. The museum contains period rooms, maritime artifacts, and contemporary art.

The museum offers period rooms, exhibits, and research library access. Appointments are necessary for library access.

The Gamble House [CA]

Description

Noted architects Charles and Henry Greene designed the Gamble House in 1908 for the Gamble family of Proctor & Gamble fame. The home is one of the finest examples of Arts and Crafts style architecture in the country. Today, the home is administered by the University of Southern California and serves as a historic house museum.

The house offers guided tours and special events such as presentations. The website offers visitor information, a history of the home, biographies of the architects, a virtual tour, and an events calendar.