Silver Spring Historical Society [MD]

Description

The mission of the all-volunteer Silver Spring Historical Society is to create and promote awareness and appreciation of Silver Spring's heritage through sponsorship of educational activities and the preservation and protection of historical sites, structures, artifacts, and archives.

The society offers walking tours of Silver Spring's Main Street, as well as tours of the B&O Railroad Station. The site offers past news regarding Silver Spring and the historical society, visitor information for the B&O Railroad Station, information on upcoming events, and an online gift shop.

Stephen Decatur House Museum [DC]

Description

The Stephen Decatur House is one of the oldest surviving homes in Washington, DC and one of only three remaining residential buildings in the country designed by Benjamin Henry Latrobe, who has been called the father of American architecture. The home was completed in 1818, and has been home to many prominent figures over the course of its history both due to its neoclassical architecture as well as its location across from the White House. The location offers visitors a glimpse into nearly 200 years of Washington history through a variety of permanent and special exhibits. Currently, the house is undergoing an extensive renovation, though exhibits continue to be open for visitors.

The website offers brief biographies of all house owners, a history of the Lafayette Square neighborhood; information on all special events and programs, including educational tours and other programs designed for schoolchildren; an online museum shop; and visitor information.

The house offers exhibits, tours, educational programs, and occasional recreational and educational programs.

Waterford Historical Museum and Cultural Center [NY]

Description

The Waterford Historical Museum and Cultural Center was first opened in 1966 in order to preserve and showcase the history of Waterford, New York, which is located just north of Albany. The museum organization was originally focused on the preservation of the Hugh White Homestead, which today has been moved from its original location and serves as the residence for the museum.

The museum offers a variety of exhibits focusing on the history of Waterford, museum tours, a field trip to the Hill-Stead Museum of Farmington, Connecticut, and a series of traveling lectures. The site offers general information about all above programs, as well as a history of the museum and information on current projects.

Winchester Mystery House [CA]

Description

The Winchester Mystery House was built between 1884 and 1922 by Sarah Winchester, the noted Winchester Rifle heiress. The house is known both for its beautiful architecture and for its many unexplained oddities, which is the reason it is now known as the mystery house. Visitors to the home can explore 110 of its 160 rooms, view the many oddities, and marvel at the Victorian gardens. The house also is home to the Winchester Firearms Museum.

The house offers exhibits, period rooms, and gardens.

Erie Canal Museum [NY]

Description

The Erie Canal Museum was opened in 1962 in order to chronicle the history and culture of the Erie Canal. Presently, the museum offers exhibits on topics as varied as the history of Syracuse, the history of the canal, jobs on the canal, and taverns on the canal. Visitors to the museum can also take part in a variety of educational programs, including guided tours, online interactive activities, and lectures.

The site offers visitor information, a series of historical features, a listing of current exhibits, a small photo gallery featuring photographs of the Erie Canal Museum building, and an online museum shop.

African American Firefighters Museum and Brown's Forge [CA]

Description

"The African American Fire Fighter Museum is a non-profit organization dedicated to collecting, conserving and sharing the heritage of African American firefighters." The museum is located in old Fire Station 30, which has been named a Los Angeles Historical-Cultural site. The museum offers a variety of exhibits on firefighting and firefighting equipment, but focuses on the "Old Stentorians," firefighters who served during the periods of segregation and desegregation.

The site offers historical information regarding firefighting and black firefighters, an online listing of publications, and visitor information.

Denton County Courthouse-on-the-Square Museum [TX]

Description

Visitors to this local history museum can view area history exhibits and tour the circa 1896 courthouse. The museum also houses a small research library, containing photographs of early Denton and a microfilm collection of Denton area newspapers.

The museum offers exhibits, tours, lectures, and educational programs. The website offers information regarding research materials, a listing of current exhibits, and a lecture calendar. In order to contact the museum via email, use the "contact us" link located at the top of the webpage.

Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans [LA]

Description

The Center works to revitalize the historic neighborhoods of New Orleans, and now aids in the reconstruction of New Orleans in a historically conscious way.

The center offers an educational program. The website offers information on the center's current projects, a resource center containing resources for homeowners and prospective preservationists, and information on and photographs of the neighborhoods that have been revitalized by the center.

Samuel H. Cupples House [MO]

Description

The Samuel Cupples House is located on the campus of Saint Louis University. The house was purchased in the mid 1900s by Saint Louis University in order to serve as an administrative center for the university. Now, the house serves as a historic house museum, and offers tours to the public throughout the year.

The site offers historic information about the university, the home, and the Cupples family. In addition, the site offers an events calendar, information on current exhibits, a museum store, and an virtual tour.

Old Fort Jackson [GA]

Description

"Fort James Jackson, also known as Old Fort Jackson, has been a part of Coastal Georgia’s history for nearly two centuries. Named in honor of Georgia governor and Revolutionary War soldier James Jackson, the fort is the oldest standing brick fortification in the state." The Fort served as the headquarters for the Savannah River Defenses during the Civil War, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, visitors can tour the fully restored fortifications. The fort is also notable for its tradition of giving daily cannon firing demonstrations.

The site offers a photo gallery featuring 12 photographs of the fort, an events calendar, visitor information, brief historical information, and an online store.