Watts Towers of Simon Rodia State Historic Park [CA]

Description

The Watts Towers are a complex set of 17 separate sculptural pieces built on a residential lot in the community of Watts. Two of the towers rise to a height of nearly 100 feet. The sculptures are constructed from steel pipes and rods, wrapped with wire mesh; coated with mortar; and embedded with pieces of porcelain, tile, and glass. Using simple hand tools and cast off materials (broken glass, sea shells, generic pottery, and ceramic tile) Italian immigrant Simon Rodia spent 30 years (1921 to 1955) building a tribute to his adopted country and a monument to the spirit of individuals who make their dreams tangible. The Watts Towers are one of only nine works of folk art listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The site is one of only four US National Historic Landmarks in the city of Los Angeles. The Los Angeles City Cultural Affairs Department, through the Watts Towers Arts Center, provides diverse cultural enrichment programming through tours, lectures, changing exhibits, and studio workshops for both teachers and schoolchildren. Each year, thousands of people are attracted to the Towers' site for the Simon Rodia Watts Towers Jazz Festival and the Watt Towers Day of the Drum Festival.

The park offers exhibits, tours, lectures, workshops, and educational and recreational events.

Manhattan Beach Historical Society & Museum [CA]

Description

The Manhattan Beach Historical Society is a not for profit organization dedicated to preserving the history of Manhattan Beach, California. The society is headquartered in a cottage in the heart of Manhattan Beach. The cottage also serves as a local history museum, and is open free of charge on the weekends.

The museum offers guided tours and exhibits on local history. The website offers visitor information and information regarding upcoming events.

Las Vegas Citizens' Committee for Historic Preservation [NM]

Description

While the Las Vegas Citizens' Committee for Historic Preservation (CCHP) is focused primarily on preserving and advocating for the preservation of local historic structures, CCHP also provides a variety of events which focus on local history.

CCHP offers weekly speakers through its "Glimpses of the Past" program, tours of local historic structures and neighborhoods, and annual events such as the Las Vegas Heritage Week. The website offers an events calendar, the committee's newsletter, virtual tours of Las Vegas, and information about the CCHP.

Marple Historical Society [PA]

Description

The Marple Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the heritage of Marple Township, which is located outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The society operates the Hilda Lucas Memorial Library and Museum, which contains exhibits on local history and a collection of historical artifacts, documents, and photographs.

The society offers exhibits in the Hilda Lucas Memorial Library and Museum as well as a lecture series. The website offers visitor information, historical information about Marple Township, and a photo gallery of historic Marple Township.

Northwood Hills Neighborhood Association [FL]

Description

The Northwood Hills Neighborhood Association is dedicated to maintaining the history of the Northwood Hills Neighborhood as well as functioning as a typical neighborhood association. In particular, the association works with other local groups in order to preserve important historic structures.

The association offers tours of historic and architecturally significant homes. The website offers information regarding upcoming tours and events. In order to contact the association via email, use the "contact us" link located on the left side of the webpage.

Bayonne Historical Society, Inc. [NJ]

Description

The Bayonne Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the history of Bayonne, New Jersey. The society works in conjunction with other Bayonne area groups in order to help preserve historic landmarks throughout Bayonne and to put on events which focus on local history.

The society offers periodic group tours of nearby landmarks, presentations on topics in local history, and summer exhibits at the nearby Liberty State Park about local history. The website offers an events calendar and general information about the society.

Saratoga Springs History Museum [NY]

Description

The Saratoga Springs History Museum is located in the old Canfield Casino in Congress Park, and works to preserve and showcase the history of Saratoga Springs, New York.

The museum hosts free lectures and presentations every month and offers a variety of exhibits, educational programs, and group tours of both the tour and Congress Park. The most popular of the educational programs is the Health, History, and Horses program which is designed for fourth graders. The website offers visitor information and information regarding upcoming events.

Historic Charleston Foundation, Nathaniel Russell House, and Aiken-Rhett House [SC]

Description

The Foundation maintains two historic houses, the Nathaniel Russell House and the Aiken-Rhett House. Set amid spacious formal gardens, the 1808 Nathaniel Russell House is widely recognized as one of America's most important neoclassical dwellings. The house is furnished with period antiques and works of art that evoke the gracious lifestyle of the city's merchant elite. Today the Nathaniel Russell House interprets the lives of the Russell family, as well as the African-American slaves and artisans who were responsible for maintaining one of the South's grandest antebellum townhouses. The Aiken-Rhett House stands alone as the most intact townhouse complex showcasing urban life in antebellum Charleston. Built in 1818 and greatly expanded by Governor and Mrs. William Aiken, Jr. in the 1830s and 1850s, the house has survived virtually unaltered since 1858.

The foundation offers occasional recreational and educational events; the Nathaniel Russell House offers tours; the Aiken-Rhett House offers tours.

Victorville Fire Museum [CA]

Description

The Victorville Fire Museum presents a collection of firefighting equipment and memorabilia dating from the 1930s, as well as artifacts and information pertinent to the historical development of the Victorville Fire Department. The museum is housed in one of the city's earliest fire stations, Station No. 1.

The museum offers exhibits and tours.