Ybor City Museum State Park [FL]

Description

Don Vicente Martinez Ybor came to the frontier near Tampa and built a city that became the "Cigar Capital of the World." From the opening of the first cigar factory in 1886 until the 1930s, Ybor City flourished. This urban park is dedicated to the preservation of Ybor City's cultural heritage. The museum, housed in the historic Ferlita Bakery, traces the rich cultural history of Ybor City and the cigar-making industry. The museum has self-guided exhibits, with written and audio information, and a video presentation.

The park offers a short film, exhibits, tours, and demonstrations.

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.

Historic Edenton [NC]

Description

Featuring 18th- and early 19th-century history, North Carolina's second oldest town Edenton was one of the fledgling nation's chief political, cultural, and commercial centers. The state's first colonial capital, it was established in the late 17th century and incorporated in 1722. Once its second largest port, Edenton provided slaves with a means of escape via the Maritime Underground Railroad before Emancipation. Today it features an extensive historic district with architectural styles spanning 250 years, such as the 1767 Chowan County Courthouse National Historic Landmark. Tours include historic sites such as the 1736 St. Paul's Church; the 1758 Cupola House; the 1782 Barker House; the Courthouse; and the 1773 James Iredell House.

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

Greenbelt Museum [MD]

Description

Greenbelt was developed as a New Deal planned community in 1937. A historic house museum presents middle class life during the Great Depression and World War II. Years depicted range from 1936 to 1952. Furnishings within the interior were designed by the New Deal’s Special Skills Division. Thew New Deal, introduced by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt between 1933 and 1935, sought to offer relief to the unemployed and stimulate the economy of the Great Depression era (1929-the late 1930s or early 1940s).

The museum offers guided tours, exhibits, lectures, educational programs, self-guided walking tours, and 90-minute guided walking tours.

Preserve Rhode Island [RI]

Description

Preserve Rhode Island is dedicated to preserving historic structures throughout Rhode Island. In addition to their activities as an advocacy organization, the organization currently owns five historic buildings, which are all open to the public as historic house museums.

The organization offers tours of their historic properties. The website offers visitor information as well as information regarding the organization's programs and activities.

Covina Valley Historical Society [CA]

Description

The Covina Valley Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the historical heritage of Covina and West Covina, California, which today are suburbs of Los Angeles. The society maintains two buildings, a local history museum housed in the Firehouse Jail Museum, and the Heritage House, which serves as a historic house museum.

The society offers exhibits, guided tours, and special events. The website offers a brief history of the society as well as visitor information.

Old Alabama Town [AL]

Description

Old Alabama Town stretches across six blocks in downtown Montgomery, Alabama, and consists of an impressive collection of fully restored 19th and early 20th century structures.

The town offers workshops, interpretive events, costumed interpreters, a variety of tours and educational events, and special events. The website offers an events calendar, visitor information, a history of the town, and a virtual tour. In order to contact the website via email, use the "contact" link located at the top of the webpage.

Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society [CA]

Description

The Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society is dedicated to preserving the historical and architectural heritage of Santa Anna, California. The society owns and operates the Dr. Howe-Waffle House, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, and today operates as a historic house museum.

The society offers guided tours of the Dr. Howe-Waffle House and special events. The website offers visitor information, histories of Santa Anna and the Dr. Howe-Waffle House, an events calendar, and a virtual tour of the home.

Hollywood Historical Society Inc [FL]

Description

The Hollywood Historical Society is dedicated to preserving and disseminating the history of Hollywood, Florida. The society runs a research center, which is open to the public year round, and the Hammerstein House, which is open on the first Sunday of the month during the fall and winter months. The Hammerstein House serves as a historic house museum and gives visitors a glimpse into life in Hollywood during the 1920s and 1930s.

The society offers annual home tours, guided tours of the Hammerstein House, and research resources. The website offers visitor information, a brief history of the Hammerstein House, and information regarding upcoming events.

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.