Edison Birthplace Museum [OH]

Description

Thomas Alva Edison, inventor of the phonograph, the incandescent light bulb, and many other devices that make modern life fuller and simpler, was born in Milan, OH, in 1847. The Edison Birthplace Museum features a collection of rare Edisonia, including examples of many of Edison's early inventions, documents, and family mementos.

The museum offers exhibits and tours.

Lawrence Heritage State Park

Description

A restored boarding house with two floors of interactive exhibits tells the tale of Lawrence, one of the nation's first planned industrial cities. Along with stories of Lawrence's mill workers and industry, the workers' role in the 1912 Bread and Roses Strike is relived with images and sounds. Visitors can walk along the esplanade of a 19th-century canal and through a park created within the walls of an industrial-era building.

The park offers exhibits, tours, a short film, and educational and recreational programs.

Cracker Country [FL]

Description

Cracker Country, a rural Florida outdoor living history museum was established so that future generations might better understand and appreciate Florida's rural heritage. From the rustic cypress log corn crib to the grand old two-story Carlton house, Cracker Country features 13 original buildings dating from 1870—1912. These buildings were moved to their present location from throughout the state, then restored and furnished with antiques of the period.

The site offers exhibits, tours, and demonstrations.

Lake County Historical Society and Historic Sites [MN]

Description

Organized in 1925, the mission of the Lake County Historical Society is to preserve the history of Lake County, MN, through the preservation, study and interpretation of artifacts, documents, photographs, and historic sites. The Society also maintains several historic sites. The Two Harbors Light Station constructed in 1892 is the oldest operating light station in Minnesota and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The lighthouse museum explores the development of Agate Bay. The 3M Museum includes the original office and headquarters of Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing (3M). It was here, in 1902, that five businessmen embarked on a mining venture which laid the foundation for a successful global corporation. Exhibits include Attorney John Dwan's recreated office; a history of the company including photos, artifacts, and documents; a "lab" area representing research and development, product diversification, and growth; and a "hands on" interactive program of technology applications. The Depot Museum is in the 1907 headquarters of the Duluth and Iron Range Railroad, and highlights the early pioneering history of Lake County. Exhibits range from McDougal archaeological dig artifacts and a Paleo-Indian display to the first shipment of iron ore from Minnesota.

The Two Harbors Light Station offers exhibits and tours; the 3M Museum offers exhibits; and the Depot Museum offers short films and exhibits.

Sumpter Valley Dredge State Heritage Area [OR]

Description

This Powder River was the vein of life during the boom days of the gold rush. The landscape still bears the scars. Miles of tailings line the banks of the river, a remembrance from the prosperous days of mining. The Sumpter Valley Dredge left much of the rocky footprint that visitors can see on their trek along Highway 7. The dredge is an important link to Oregon's pioneering past and development. It is one of the largest and most accessible gold dredges in the U.S., and the last of three built on the Powder River. Built in 1935, it ran until 1954. It dug up more than four million dollars worth by a simple, but dramatic method.

The site offers interpretive services, according to the website; however, the services are not described.
The site

Seneca Falls Historical Society and Museum [NY]

Description

The Society's Museum is located in a structure dating back to 1823. The building was part of a 10-acre estate with carriage house, tool shed, vineyard, garden, and orchard. The Mynderse Family lived there until 1875 when Mrs. Leroy Partridge purchased the house and began an extensive remodeling and updating that changed the two story dwelling into the three-story, 23-room, Queen Anne style home that stands today. The original Gothic Revival tool shed is now the "Bee Hive," a replica of a general store , located behind the house. Also located in the back yard is the Town Clock that was once on top of the Hoskins Block and moved to the grounds by Texaco Oil in October 1968. The first floor of the Museum shows a combination of the original furnishings of the house as the Partridge and Becker families lived here, as well as reproductions and decorations both complimentary to the time period and from historical events in Seneca Falls.

The society offers occasional recreational and educational events; the museum offers exhibits and research library access.

Central Insurance Fire Museum [OH]

Description

Central Insurance started out in 1876 as a fire insurance company. The threat of a disastrous fire was always very real and the equipment used to fight fire primitive. F. W. "Bill" Purmort, Jr., President of Central from 1964 to 1994, first took an interest in collecting fire equipment in 1969. He gradually built Central's museum into one of the finest privately owned collections in the U.S. The museum exhibits a collection of leather fire buckets dating back to the 1700s; over 600 antique fire toys consisting of cast-iron, rubber, glass, tin, and wood construction; a large display of fire extinguishers and glass fire "grenades" dating from the 1850s; a rare and valuable collection of "firemarks" dating back to 1720; a wardrobe of antique fireman helmets and uniforms; Van Wert's first hand-drawn pumper used in 1871; an Ahrens horse-drawn steam pumper which was purchased new in 1907 by the city of Van Wert and restored by Central; and a 1926 Ahrens-Fox pumper, the Rolls Royce of firetrucks.

The museum offers exhibits and tours.

Ritzville's Museums: Dr. Frank R. Burroughs Home and Railroad Depot Museum [WA]

Description

Historic Ritzville maintains two museums. The Burroughs Home was the residence of Ritzville's pioneer physician, Dr. Frank R. Burroughs. It has been restored to its original condition and its collection highlights clothing and household items from the 1890s to the 1920s. The Depot features commercial artifacts relevant to Ritzville around the turn of the century. These include the town's original horse-drawn hearse and a working telegraph machine.