Friendship Firehouse Museum [VA]

Description

The Friendship Fire Company was established in 1774, and was the first volunteer fire company in Alexandria. The current firehouse was built in 1855, remodeled in 1871, and renovated in 1992. The Engine Room on the first floor houses hand-drawn fire engines, leather water buckets, axes, sections of early rubber hose, and other historic fire-fighting equipment. An exhibition discusses the development of firefighting technology and other fire companies that have served the citizens of Alexandria. The second floor Meeting Room is furnished the way it was during the late 19th century, the real heyday of Friendship as a community organization. On view here are various ceremonial objects such as parade uniforms, capes, banners, and other regalia. George Washington's association with the Friendship Fire Company, honored by members for over 200 years, is symbolized by several images of him throughout the museum.

The museum offers exhibits, tours, educational programs, and occasional recreational and educational events.

Minisink Valley Historical Society and the Fort Decker Museum of History [NY]

Description

The Minisink Valley Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of the Minisink Valley which stretches across New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. To this end, the society operates the Fort Decker Museum of History. The structure was originally built in 1760 as a defensive center against Native American attack and as a trading post.

The society offers archival access, exhibits, and 50-minute outreach slide presentations. Appointments are required for archival access. Slide presentation topics include author Stephen Crane, the Delaware and Hudson Canal, artist John Newton Howitt, cemetery history, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt, and the bluestone industry. The website offers a small collection of music and historical photographs.

Bangor Museum and Center for History [ME]

Description

The Bangor Museum and Center for History presents the history of events which occurred within the boundaries of the modern state of Maine. Collections include more than 10,000 photographic artifacts; 800 examples of historical costume; and a strong collection of Civil war artifacts, which includes Union officer Joshua Chamberlain's sword, letters written by Hannibal Hamlin, and an apothecary chest. The museum also operates the Thomas A. Hill House and Civil War Museum. Display highlights include furniture and artifacts which belonged to Hannibal Hamlin (1809-1891), Vice President under Abraham Lincoln. The Greek Revival residence dates to 1835.

The museum offers ghost walking tours and Mount Hope Cemetery tours. The Thomas A. Hill House offers exhibits and guided tours led by costumed interpreters. The website offers a virtual tour of Bangor's historic architectural sites.

The main building is currently closed for renovations. The Thomas A. Hill House and Civil War Museum is still open to the public.

Beck Cultural Exchange Center, Inc. [TN]

Description

The Beck Cultural Exchange Center in Knoxville, TN, is located in the Beck family home. The Becks were leaders in Knoxville's black community from the 1920s through the 1960s, and the center was established in 1975 in honor of their contributions to eastern Tennessee African-American culture.

The center offers exhibits on African American culture, guided tours, after-school programs for local students, and research resources. The website offers general information regarding the center, visitor information, and access to the center's research resources.

Rockingham [NJ]

Description

Rockingham is believed to be the second oldest house in the Millstone River valley, its original construction dating between 1702 and 1710. Jedidiah Higgins, one of the earliest settlers in the Rocky Hill–Kingston area, is credited with building the house. In 1783, while the Continental Congress was meeting at Nassau Hall in nearby Princeton, Congress rented this house from the widow of Judge John Berrien for use by General George Washington from August 23 to November 10, 1783. Martha Washington joined him at Rockingham.

A second website for the site can be found here.

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

Hannibal Historical Society [NY]

Description

The Hannibal Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the historical heritage of Hannibal, New York, and the surrounding area. The society is headquartered in an old Baptist Church in downtown Hannibal, which now also is home to the Hannibal Library and a nursery school.

The society offers a collection of historic artifacts, tours of Hannibal, and special events. The website offers a basic visitor information regarding the society, and a brief history of Hannibal.

Gadsby’s Tavern Museum [VA]

Description

Gadsby's Tavern Museum consists of two buildings, a circa 1785 tavern and the 1792 City Hotel. The buildings are named for Englishman John Gadsby who operated them from 1796 to 1808. Mr. Gadsby's establishment was a center of political, business, and social life in early Alexandria. The tavern was the setting for dancing assemblies, theatrical and musical performances, and meetings of local organizations. George Washington enjoyed the hospitality provided by tavernkeepers and twice attended the annual Birthnight Ball held in his honor. Other prominent patrons included John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and the Marquis de Lafayette. Visitors are invited to take a moment to journey back to the 18th-century tavern and hotel where famous historical figures and everyday people dined and slept and learn about the history, architecture, decorative arts, social customs, food, and clothing of a past era.

The museum offers tours, educational programs, classes, and occasional recreational and educational events (including living history events).

Grover Cleveland Birthplace [NJ]

Description

In 1837, Grover Cleveland was born in this house while his father, the Reverend Richard Falley Cleveland, was the minister to the First Presbyterian Church of Caldwell. Most of the first floor rooms portray the house as it was in 1837. Among the artifacts on display from Cleveland's early years are his cradle and original family portraits. The exhibit gallery features a striking display of artifacts that reflect the financial and political success Cleveland achieved during the last quarter of the 19th century. Here, the mud-slinging campaign of 1884, the public's intense interest in his wife and children, and America's political climate throughout his split terms of office are explored.

The site offers tours, exhibits, educational programs, and research library access.

Fort Ontario State Historic Site [NY]

Description

The Fort Ontario State Historic Site presents Fort Ontario as it appeared between 1868 and 1872. The site interprets civilian, officer, family, and enlisted life at the fort in 1868 and 1869. During the Holocaust, the fort served as an emergency refugee center.

The site offers exhibits, costumed interpreters, demonstrations, audio-visual programs, educational services, guided tours, self-guided tours, interpretive signs, re-enactments, and a picnic area.

Howard Steamboat Museum [IN]

Description

The Howard Steamboat Museum is located within and includes the 1894 residence of the Howards, a steamboat building family. The house contains many of its original furnishings, some of which were created by shipyard master craftsmen. The Howard Shipyard would eventually become the country's largest inland shipyard. The museum also includes artifacts relevant to the era of the steamboat, including models and paintings of vessels. Collection highlights include the paddle wheel shaft of the Delta Queen and paintings by Harlan Hubbard.

The museum offers exhibits, period rooms, and guided tours. The website offers historic photographs.