Hancock Shaker Village [MA]

Description

The 20-acre Hancock Shaker Village was once a thriving Shaker community, but is now an outdoors museum which presents the history and culture of the Shakers. Collections include 20 historic buildings and more than 22,200 artifacts including furniture, tools, vernacular equipment, household objects, art, textiles, graphics, and archival documents. Shaker beliefs included using dance as a communal form of communication with God, equality of the sexes, group ownership, and celibacy.

The village offers self-guided tours; docents; exhibits; animal encounters; traditional craft demonstrations; a program on Shaker music; a children's discovery room; 19th-century-style lessons in a historic schoolhouse; guided tours of the 1830s Brick Dwelling, 1826 Round Stone Barn, and Laundry/Machine Shop; specialty guided tours; curriculum-based tour outlines for teachers; heirloom gardens; heritage livestock; research library access; a hiking trail; cafe; and a picnic area. Guided tours are only available between late November and mid April. During that time, self-guided tours are unavailable. Appointments are required for research library access.

Montauk Historic Site [IA]

Description

Visitors can journey into the past at the home of Iowa's 12th governor, William Larrabee and Anna Larrabee, his wife. They can enjoy a guided tour to see and hear how the Larrabee family furnished and maintained this 1874 vintage brick and natural limestone mansion for more than 100 years. All of the furnishings are original to the house.

The site offers tours and occasional recreational and educational events.

James J. Hill House [MN]

Description

The 1891 Gilded Age James J. Hill House served as the residence of James J. Hill (1838-1916), chief executive officer of several Great Northern Railway lines; his family; and their servants. The interpretive focuses include family life and the life of the home's domestic servants. Other topics covered include Hill's career; architecture; interior design; and period heating, power, communication, and lighting systems. Hill's original gallery now displays art exhibits.

The house offers residence tours, exhibits, 75-minute tours of the residence for students, video or slide show introductory programs for students, late 19th-century skill workshops for children, 90-minute walking tours and 45-minute bus tours of the Summit Avenue neighborhood, lectures, concerts, and dramatic performances. Reservations are required for field trips. The website offers a word search.

Benton County Historical Museum [OR]

Description

The Benton County Historical Museum is dedicated to preserving the history of Benton County, and the history of the settlement of Oregon and the Willamette Valley. The museum is located in the 1867 Philomath College building, an important local historic landmark that was kept standing by the advocacy of local citizens.

The museum offers exhibits, guided tours, field trip programs, and special presentations. The website offers visitor information, online exhibits, and a calendar of events.

Greater Oneonta Historical Society [NY]

Description

The Greater Oneonta Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the historical heritage of Oneonta, New York, and the surrounding area. The society has recently purchased the 183 Main Street building, and is working to renovate it for use as a local history museum and research library.

The society offers walking tours of Oneonta as well as tours of Oneonta historic structures and homes. The website offers a calendar of events, photo galleries of Oneonta, and general information regarding the society.

Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum [IL]

Description

The Tinker Swiss Cottage was built in the 1860's, based on owner businessman Robert Hall Tinker's trip to Switzerland and love of Swiss architecture. Today it is one of the few remaining examples of 19th century Swiss architecture in America.

School tours are offered and education packets are available with pre and post tour activities. A hands-on activity may also be included with a tour of the Cottage.

Historic Deerfield [MA]

Description

In historic Deerfield, visitors can step back into early America as they tour 11 house museums, exploring hundreds of years of history along an original, mile-long street. Two houses, the Stebbins House and Sheldon House, are available for self-guided tours all day during the regular season.

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

The Paine Art Center and Gardens [WI]

Description

The Paine Art Center and Gardens are located in the historic Paine Mansion, which was built in the early 1930s for the Nathan Paine and his wife, wealthy logging and milling moguls. Today, the center preserves both the historic home and serves as a showcase for the Paine family's art collection.

The center offers exhibits and galleries, guided tours of the center, and special events. The website offers a history of the home, a calendar of events, visitor information, and a virtual tour of the mansion.

Walworth County Historical Society and Webster House Museum [WI]

Description

The Walworth County Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the historical heritage of Elkhorn, WI, and the surrounding area. The society maintains an extensive archive, which is available to researchers by appointment, and the Webster House Museum, which gives visitors a glimpse into life in Walworth County during the early 1800s.

The society offers guided tours of the Webster House and research resources. The website offers visitor information, a history of the Webster House, a listing of upcoming events, and an online catalog. In order to contact the site via email, use the "contact us" link located on the top of the webpage.