National Road / Zane Grey Museum [OH]

Description

This modern museum has three major exhibit areas. First is the National Road, early America's busiest land artery to the West. The National Road stretched from Cumberland, MD, to Vandalia, IL. Begun in 1806, the "Main Street of America" was the only significant land link between east coast and western frontier in the early 19th century. A 136-foot diorama of the National Road plus many objects illustrates this theme. Second is Zane Grey, the "Father of the Adult Western." The Zanesville author wrote more than 80 books. His study is recreated plus many manuscripts and other memorabilia are displayed. Finally, a central portion of the museum is devoted to Ohio art pottery.

The museum offers exhibits, tours, and educational programs.

Ohio River Museum

Description

Marietta, Ohio is proud of its riverboat heritage and at the Ohio River Museum visitors can discover the golden age of the steamboat, and learn more about the ecology of the Ohio River system. The Ohio River Museum consists of three exhibit buildings, the first of which houses displays depicting the origins and natural history of the Ohio River. The history of the steamboat on the Ohio River system is featured in the second building, along with a video presentation on river steamboats. The last building features displays about boat building, mussels in the Ohio River system, and tool sand equipment from the steamboat era. Outside the museum, on the Muskingum River, visitors can take an escorted tour of the W.P. Snyder Jr.—the last intact steam-powered "pool-type" stern-wheeled towboat in the United States. Other exhibits on the museum grounds include the pilothouse from the steamboat Tell City as well as a full-scale reproduction of a flatboat from Ohio's early settlement period. Also on site are a series of poles showing the heights of some of the worst floods to hit the area in its recorded history: the 1884 flood at 54.5 feet, the 1898 flood at 49.6 feet, the 1907 flood at 52.1 feet, the flood of 1913 at 60.3 feet, and the 1937 flood at 55 feet.

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

Museum of Ceramics [OH]

Description

The East Liverpool Museum of Ceramics houses an extensive collection of the wares produced by "America's Crockery City." Related displays on the social, political, and economic history of this town show the impact of industry on the community. Ceramic manufacturing was more important in East Liverpool during the late 19th century than is steel production in Pittsburgh or automobile manufacturing in Detroit today. Located in the former city post office, the museum is a graphic example of the adaptive use of old buildings. The exhibits in the museum depict the growth and development of East Liverpool and its ceramic industry from 1840 to 1930, the period when the city's potteries produced over 50% of the ceramics manufactured in the United States. Through the skillful use of photographs, artifacts, and life-size dioramas, the exhibits vividly the products and life of one of Ohio's most unique cities.

A second website for the museum can be found here.

The museum offers a short film, exhibits, tours, lectures, educational programs, and occasional recreational and educational events.

Freedomland U.S.A.

Description

What is Freedomland U.S.A.? An unusual theme park in the Bronx, in existence for less than five years, Freedomland has become the object of fascination for New York nostalgia lovers everywhere. Created by an outcast of Walt Disney's inner circle, Freedomland practically defined 1960s kitsch, with dozens of rides and amusements related to saccharine views of American history.

Woolworth Building

Description

According to the Bowery Boys' website, "F.W. Woolworth was the self-made king of retail's newfangled "five and dime" store and his pockets were overflowing with cash. Meanwhile, in New York, the contest to build the tallest building was underway. The two combine to create one of Manhattan's most handsome buildings, cutting a Gothic profile designed by America's hottest architect of the early century. So what does it all have to do with sneakers and gym clothes?"

The Kings of New York Pizza

Description

From the Bowery Boys website:

"New Yorkers are serious about their pizza, and it all started with a tiny grocery store in today's Little Italy and a group of young men who became the masters of pizza making. In this podcast, you'll find out all about the city's oldest and most revered pizzerias—Lombardi's, Totonno's, John's, Grimaldi's and Patsy's in all its variations. But if those are the greatest names in New York-style pizza, then who the heck is Ray—Original, Famous or otherwise?"

No Vacancies

Description

From the BackStory website:

"Historian Susan Rugh describes the discrimination black families faced on America's highways in the 1940s and 50s. Many of those travelers recounted their experiences in letters to the NAACP—letters that eventually helped convince U.S. Senators to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964."

Puck Building

Description

In this podcast from the Bowery Boys, Greg Young narrates the history of New York's Puck Building, built to house the offices of the turn-of-the-century periodical Puck Magazine.