Catonsville Historical Society and Pullen Museum [MD]

Description

The Catonsville Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Catonsville, Maryland. To this end, the society operates the Townsend House and Pullen Museum, which present exhibits of local historical interest. The rooms of the Townsend House are set up as period rooms, containing pieces from throughout U.S. history. Collection highlights include architectural and train models, prints, paintings, and local arrowheads. The society also maintains a knot garden, perhaps the oldest form of formal garden design in the U.S.

The society offers exhibits, period rooms, and a knot garden. The Townsend House and Pullen Museum are open by appointment.

Minnesota Historical Society

Description

The Minnesota Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Minnesota. To this end, the society operates a history center and 26 historical sites located throughout the state. The Minnesota History Center collections include more than 230,000 artifacts, including a collection of Ojibwa pieces; 6,000 works of art; and 53,000 cubic feet of government records, among other items.

The Minnesota History Center offers a 30-minute introductory film, exhibits, interactive field trip programs, library access, and two lunch sites—one indoor and one outdoor. Reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance for field trip programs and/or use of the indoor dining area. Lunches can be ordered ahead from the museum restaurant. The center can arrange for sign language interpreters and wheelchair availability. The society also offers outreach presentations given by costumed interpreters and continuing education workshops for teachers.

The website offers blogs on selected artifacts, local historical organizations, and the archives; a forum for historical researchers; video podcasts; historical images; lesson plans on Minnesota and the Holocaust; and a Minnesota history curriculum available for purchase.

Montana Historical Society [MT]

Description

The Montana Historical Society offers the Montana Museum, the Original Governor's Mansion, and the Montana State Capitol to visitors. The Montana Museum contains exhibits on Montana homesteaders and a collection of artwork from Montana's "cowboy artist" Charles M. Russell (1864-1926). The Governor’s Mansion was used from 1913-1959 and was built in the Queen Anne style.

The Museum offers docent-led and self-guided group tours free of charge to school groups. The Museum has a variety of tours and educational programs suitable for grades K-12. Pre- and post-visit activities are available for teachers. The State Capitol offers free self-guided tours for school groups. The Original Governor’s Mansion provides guided tours and children’s guided tours.

Colorado Arts and Crafts Society [CO]

Description

The Colorado Arts and Crafts Society researches and promotes awareness of the Arts and Crafts Movement in Colorado (circa 1895-1920). Pride in personal workmanship is key to the Arts and Crafts Movement, instigated by philosopher John Ruskin and poet William Morris. The society is located within the 1917 Craftsman-style Boettcher Mansion.

The society offers tours, lectures, and educational programs.

Women in History [OH]

Description

Women in History seeks to increase awareness of women's impact on U.S. history through dramatic re-creations of the lives of notable female figures. Costumes are period or patterned from period pieces, and hairstyles are created by a specialist in historic hair design. The organization is able to portray more than 100 historical figures.

The organization offers presentations, which generally include two 25-minute living history presentations by costumed "historical figures," an opening and closing, and time for questions and answers. The organization also offers two programs designed specifically for elementary and middle school students.

Pender County Museum [NC]

Description

The Pender County Museum presents the history of Pender County, North Carolina. Collection highlights include a whiskey still, historical farming equipment, decorative arts pieces, World War II artifacts, and medical artifacts.

The museum offers exhibits, 41 oral history transcriptions from World War II veterans, and library access.

New Milford Historical Society and Museum [CT]

Description

The New Milford Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of New Milford, CT. To that end, the society operates a local history museum with collections including antique toys, an 18th-century cooking hearth, paintings by Woldemar Neufeld (born 1909), and the 1815 Knapp House and its furnishings. The museum is located within four historic structures—a residence, bank, store, and schoolhouse.

The society offers exhibits, period rooms, and learning boxes (traveling trunks) for rental. Admission to the historic schoolhouse is by appointment only.

Belcourt Castle [RI]

Description

Unique among the mansions of Newport, "Belcourt," a Louis-XIII-style hunting lodge, was designed by Richard Morris Hunt, "the Dean of American architects." The 60-room summer cottage cost 3 million dollars, employing 300 skilled European craftsmen between 1891 and 1894. Today, celebrating 50 years in the Tinney Family, Belcourt Castle is home to an extensive collection of art and antiques from over 30 countries spanning diverse cultures and centuries. The collection includes 13th-century European stained glass, 10th- to 20th-century furniture from around the world, 17th- to 20th-century paintings, Renaissance armor, and a gold coronation coach.

The site offers tours.

Dana-Thomas House

Description

The Dana-Thomas House, perhaps the best-preserved example of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright's "Prairie period" dwellings, was built for feminist socialite and heiress Susan Lawrence Dana (1862–1946). Constructed between 1902 and 1904, the house has been restored to appear as it might have been furnished shortly after being built. In 1974 the structure was entered on the National Register of Historic Places and in 1976 was designated a National Historic Landmark. One-hour guided tours begin at the carriage house visitor center, which contains a small exhibit area, an auditorium, and the Sumac Shop. Tours open with a 10-minute orientation video that provides background information on Frank Lloyd Wright, Susan Lawrence Dana, and construction of the Dana-Thomas House. Visitors see a stunning collection of elegant art glass, Arts and Crafts style furniture, dramatic lamps, and ceramics. Several items owned by Susan Lawrence Dana and her family are on display.

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

Bolinas Museum [CA]

Description

The Bolinas Museum is the premier art museum of Marin County just north of San Francisco. The museum's primary focus is on local art, as many talented artists are attracted to coastal Marin County communities.

The museum offers guided and self-guided tours, exhibits, and special events including lectures and special presentations. The website offers visitor information, information regarding current exhibits, and a calendar of events.