Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park [CA]

Description

Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park secures for the people and makes available for their observation, inspiration, and enjoyment, the gold discovery site and its environs as an accurate portrayal of the story that unfolded at the time of the discovery and Gold Rush. The park's interpretive program primarily embraces the period from 1847 through 1852, but also shows the town of Coloma as it developed. Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park is the place where James W. Marshall found flecks of gold in the tailrace of the sawmill he was building for himself and John Sutter. This discovery in 1848 changed the course of California's and the nation's history. Visitors can see a replica of the original sawmill and over 20 historic buildings including mining, house, school, and store exhibits. Visitors have the opportunity to try panning for gold in the American River and enjoy hikes and picnics under the riparian oak woodlands. Overlooking the river canyon, where the gold discoverer rests today, visitors ca see California's first historic monument, the statue of James Marshall pointing at his gold discovery site .

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

Rome Historical Society and Museum [NY]

Description

The Rome Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Oneida County and Rome, NY. To this end, the society operates a museum of local history which covers the Ice Age through present day. Permanent exhibits address Iroquois life, manufacturing, daily life, area canals, forts along the Carry, and the dairy industry.

The society offers exhibits, a multimedia presentation, guided group tours, educational kits, outreach speakers and slide presentations, and archive access. Reservations are required for guided tours. Appointments are recommended for archive use.

Fort Toulouse / Fort Jackson State Historic Site [AL]

Description

History is alive and outside at Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson. Here Native Americans, Spanish explorers, French soldiers, English and Scottish traders, American settlers, and modern archaeologists have all left their mark. Frequent living history events showcase a recreated 1751 French fort, recreated Creek Indian houses, and the partially restored 1814 American Fort Jackson. A 3,000-year-old Mississipian Indian mound, the William Bartram Nature Trail, and an early 19th-century house weave even more strands into this colorful tapestry of Alabama's earliest days.

Two other websites for the site exist: a second general website here and a website for the site's living history programs here.

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

American Sign Museum [OH]

Description

The American Sign Museum presents the history of the United States sign industry and the impacts thereof. Collections include more than 3,000 artifacts—signs, sign making tools, sketches, models, and other items. Signs range from classic gilt lettered pieces to neon and novelty signs.

The museum offers exhibits and guided tours. Admission can be scheduled outside of the museum's normal hours of operation. Please call ahead to ascertain that the museum will be open on the day you wish to visit.

Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism and Museums

Description

The Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism promotes the arts, film, historic preservation, museums, and tourism in Connecticut. The commission operates four museums—the Henry Whitfield State Museum, the Prudence Crandall Museum, the New-Gate Prison and Copper Mine, and the Sloane-Stanley Museum. The Henry Whitfield State Museum, Prudence Crandall Museum, and New-Gate Prison and Copper Mine are listed separately in this database. The Sloan-Stanley Museum presents U.S. craftsmanship heritage and the local iron industry. Displays include hand tools, the studio of artist Eric Sloane (1905-1985), a replica circa 1800 cabin, and the remains of a granite blast furnace located on site.

The Sloane-Stanley Museum offers exhibits.

Old Island Restoration Foundation and the Oldest House [FL]

Description

The Old Island Restoration Foundation is primarily concerned with architectural preservation within Key West, Florida. However, the organization also operates the 1829 Oldest House museum. The residence was once home to a customs inspector, lightship captain, and wrecker. Wreckers were men who would race to shipwrecks in order to save the crews and to collect a portion of the cargo as their own. The museum holds furnishings, maritime artifacts, wrecker artifacts, ship models, and items once lost at sea. The structure itself is the oldest in South Florida, hence the name.

The museum offers exhibits and gardens.

Conestoga Area Historical Society [PA]

Description

The Conestoga Area Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of the Penn Manor Area, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. To this end, the society operates the circa 1850 Harnish House; an outdoor oven; a local history museum, housed in a 19th-century tobacco barn; and a working blacksmith shop. The Harnish House contains a selection of reproduction furniture, and addresses the life of the Harnish family. Society highlights include a Conestoga wagon and a tobacco stripping display.

The society offers exhibits and demonstrations.

Historic Halifax State Historic Site [NC]

Description

Located on the Roanoke River, the town of Halifax developed into a commercial and political center at the time of the American Revolution. North Carolina's Fourth Provincial Congress met in Halifax in the spring of 1776. On April 12 that body unanimously adopted a document later called the "Halifax Resolves," which was the first official action by an entire colony recommending independence from England. A guided walking tour takes visitors into several authentically restored and furnished buildings. These include the 1760 home of a merchant, the house and law office of a 19th-century attorney, and the 1808 home of a wealthy landowner. The 1833 clerk's office, a jail, Eagle Tavern, and a unique archaeological exhibit are also featured on the tour.

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

Columbia State Historic Park [CA]

Description

The town's old Gold Rush-era business district has been preserved, with shops, restaurants, and two hotels. Visitors have the chance to time-travel to the 1850s, imagining life when gold miners rubbed shoulders with businessmen and the other residents in Columbia. Visitors can experience a bygone era watching proprietors in period clothing conduct business in the style of yesterday. There are opportunities to ride a 100 year-old stagecoach, pan for gold, or tour an active gold mine.

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