French Lick/West Baden Springs

Description

Unprecedented in the nation, the grand hotels in French Lick and West Baden Springs—both listed in the National Register of Historic Places and located one mile apart in southern Indiana—offer a window on the grand hotel era of the early 20th century and the tradition of "taking the waters." Guests from Al Capone to FDR, Bing Crosby to Helen Keller, captains of industry and pampered socialites, came to imbibe the waters and take spa treatments, enjoy sports and entertainments, and test their luck in the casinos. Today, the restored French Lick and West Baden Springs Hotels still draw visitors for the same pursuits. Like Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, and Hotel del Coronado in San Diego, French Lick and West Baden Springs offer overnight accommodations in an atmosphere steeped in history.

The hotels offer tours.

Museum Center at 5ive Points [TN]

Description

The Museum Center at 5ive Points presents the sociocultural history of Southeast Tennessee's Ocoee District. The museum's permanent exhibit discusses local Cherokee and other Native American life, the Trail of Tears and settlement, antebellum life, industry and commerce, the World War I and II eras, and the 1996 Olympics. Seven fictional living history characters give the exhibits a personal tone.

The center offers exhibits, a summer art camp, thematic school tours, homeschool programs, traveling trunks, and 50-minute interactive outreach programs.
Reservations are required for groups of 12 or more.

Micanopy Historical Society Museum [FL]

Description

The Micanopy Historical Society Museum presents the history of Micanopy, FL. The museum is housed within a circa 1850 warehouse which once held lumber and agricultural tools. Exhibits address a local trading post, zoology, transportation, the post, general stores, naval pine resin derivatives, Seminole textiles, Seminole war chiefs, the Civil War, World War homefront life, and laundry technology. Highlights include a circa 1930 Coca-Cola sign, an ice box, a 1906 wedding gown, and a Sibley tent stove.

The museum offers exhibits.

Stranahan House [FL]

Description

The Stranahan House was originally built in 1901 as a trading post for the Seminole and area settlers. Shortly thereafter, the structure was used as a post office, town hall, and community center. Between 1906 and 1971, the site served as the residence of Frank and Ivy Stranahan. Frank was postmaster and a banker and businessman, while Ivy taught. The home has been restored to a 1913 through 1915 appearance, and is furnished accordingly.

The house offers period rooms, one-hour guided tours, educational programs for students, an outreach program for students, guided group tours, and guided Scout tours. Group tours are by advance notice. The website offers student activities.

Hugh Mercer Apothecary [VA]

Description

This 18th-century building was restored to house the Hugh Mercer Apothecary. Dr. Mercer served the citizens of Fredericksburg with medicines and treatments of the time. Leeches, lancets, snakeroot, and crab claws made up just some of the remedies. Dr. Mercer practiced medicine for 15 years in Fredericksburg. His patients included Mary Washington. Dr. Mercer left his practice to join the Revolutionary army and died as a Brigadier General at the Battle of Princeton.

The site offers tours.

Department of Transportation: Digital Special Collections

Image
Logo, DoT Library
Annotation

This archival site makes available public papers and government investigative and research reports concerning the history of transportation in the U.S. It contains Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) and Department of Transportation railroad accident investigation reports from 1911 to 1994, with more than 4,000 reports, as well as aircraft accident reports from 1934 to 1965, with more than 790 reports. "Turner, Fairbank, and MacDonald" papers contains more than 540 public papers of Thomas H. MacDonald, H.S. Fairbank, and F.C. Turner of the Bureau of Public Roads and later the Federal Highway Administration. These include reports, speeches, development plans, and memoranda. Fairbank's papers cover the period 1920 to 1954, MacDonald's from 1919 to 1952, and Turner's from 1947 to 1971. Other documents include civil aeronautics manuals; Federal Aviation Administration research reports; historical Department of Transportation orders; U.S. Coast Guard navigation and inspection circulars from the 1960s to the present; and reports from the 1924, 1926, 1930, and 1934 National Conferences on Street and Highway Safety. Each collection of materials can be searched individually.

Andover Historical Society [MA]

Description

The Andover Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Andover, Massachusetts, founded 1646. To this end, the society operates the 1819 Amos Blanchard House and Barn Museum which illustrates the life of an early 19th-century (1820-1850), middle-class family. The barn contains a variety of vernacular tools. According to the society site, tour topics include "politics, religion, women's roles, economics, banking, youth, education, household management, and agriculture." Extensive archival materials are available for research at the Caroline M. Underhill Research Center.

The society offers exhibits, period rooms, guided tours, educational programs, hands-on activities, and archival access.

Fort King George Historic Site [GA]

Description

Fort King George is the oldest English fort remaining on Georgia's coast. The fort was in operation from 1721 until 1736, when it was abandoned. Later, in the 19th century, the location was used as a major export center for lumber. Today, visitors can explore the reconstructed Fort King George, as well as three sawmills and tabby ruins which showcase the history of the location as a lumber exporter. The site is also home to a museum.

The fort offers visitors guided tours, interpretive events, a brief historical film, and a variety of exhibits and special events. The website offers a link to the Georgia Teacher's Resource for Touring Historic Sites, specific lesson plans for touring Fort King George, a brief history of the fort, a 15-photo photograph gallery, an event calendar, and visitor information.

Camp Floyd / Stagecoach Inn State Park Museum [UT]

Description

Camp Floyd / Stagecoach Inn State Park Museum is Utah's link with the Civil War. The quiet streets of Fairfield hold the secrets of 3,500 troops, nearly one-third of the entire U.S. Army at that time, which were brought to Camp Floyd to suppress the rumored rebellion in Utah. With no rebellion taking place, the troops were recalled in 1861 with the outbreak of the Civil War. The museum houses a collection of artifacts and documents used by the soldiers of Johnston's Army. Interpretive exhibits display these items along with historic photos, describing the history and activity of Camp Floyd. Visitors can see bullets, currency, uniform insignia, and more. The Stagecoach Inn is fully restored and houses antique furnishing of the time period. The historic Fairfield District Schoolhouse is available for school groups to enjoy an authentic one-room schoolhouse experience. Fairfield School was constructed in 1898 with federal funds received when Utah became a state in 1896.

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

Museum of Our Industrial Heritage [MA]

Description

The Museum of Our Industrial Heritage presents the history and social aspects of industry within Franklin County, MA. Exhibits display locally made cutlery, machine tools, hand tools, taps and dies, and other items, as well addressing the World War II home front. Collection highlights include a circa 1880 screw thread cutting machine and a circa 1920 Goodell Pratt Company lathe. The museum is located within a historic factory.

The museum offers traditional and interactive exhibits, teacher workshops, field trips, interactive outreach programs for students, and archive access. The museum is open by appointment only.