Peoria Historical Society [IL]

Description

The Peoria Historical Society is dedicated to the preservation of the historical heritage of Peoria, Illinois. The society owns and operates two historic house museums in the center of Peoria, as well as a research library.

The society offers guided tours of the historic house museums, weekly tours of different parts of Peoria, summer camps, and research resources. The website offers information regarding upcoming events, visitor information, and historical information regarding Peoria.

Shoal Creek Living History Museum [MO]

Description

The Shoal Creek Living History Museum consists of a village with over 20 authentic 19th century buildings. The buildings range from a log cabin to an antebellum brick mansion home. The museum is dedicated to bringing 19th century Missouri history to life.

The museum offers guided tours, demonstrations, workshops, and re-enactments. The website offers visitor information and an events calendar.
Shoal Creek Living History Museum is a village of more than 20 authentic 19th century buildings. The buildings date from 1807-1885 and include log cabin and clapboard structures to an antebellum brick mansion home.

Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park [CA]

Description

Originally built in 1856 by Gold Rush merchant Sheldon Fogus, the Mansion was later purchased and remodeled (twice) by Leland and Jane Stanford. Leland Stanford served as Governor of California from 1862–1863. The Mansion served as the office of three governors during the turbulent 1860s: Leland Stanford, Fredrick Low, and Henry Haight. Today, it stands as an example of the splendor and elegance of the Victorian era in California. On a tour of the 19,000-square-foot Mansion visitors will see 17-foot ceilings, gilded mirrors and detailed carved moldings, restored woodwork, 19th-century crystal and bronze light fixtures, historic paintings, recreated carpeting and draperies based on photographs from the 1870s to match the original interior design; original period furnishings that belonged to the Stanfords; and 19th-century-style gardens.

The site offers a short film, exhibits, tours, and occasional recreational and educational events.

Lower Saucon Township Historical Society [PA]

Description

The Lower Saucon Township Historical Society is dedicated to the preservation of the historical heritage of the Lower Saucon Township as well as the larger Bethlehem area. The society owns and operates a local one room schoolhouse, which has been renovated recently and is open to the public.

The society offers guided tours and field trip programs. The website offers visitor information as well as a brief history of the Lower Saucon Township.

Joseph Priestley House [PA]

Description

When Joseph Priestley (1733–1804) is remembered today, it is usually for his 1774 discovery, in England, of oxygen. Few know he was a noted theologian, political progressive, and prolific author whose scientific contributions include the development of the carbonation process, the identification of carbon monoxide, and early experiments in electricity. He counted Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and James Watt among his friends. Yet Priestley was also a controversial figure whose views were so odious to some of his countrymen that his house, Fair Hill in Birmingham, was burned in a riot, and he and his family left England. Priestley spent the last 10 years of his life in Northumberland, PA, where he continued his work in science, religion, and education. But even in this democratic republic his liberal ideas were frequently received with intolerance, and the peace that he so ardently desired was often elusive. Today, the Joseph Priestley House is an historic site that preserves and interprets the contributions and significance to American history of Joseph Priestley, noted English theologian, educator, natural philosopher, and political theorist.

The house offers a short film, exhibits, tours, educational programs, research library access, and occasional recreational and educational events (including living history events).

Los Encinos State Historic Park [CA]

Description

Los Encinos State Historic Park was the hub of Rancho El Encino. Located in the San Fernando Valley, this California rancho includes the original nine-room de la Ossa Adobe, the two-story limestone Garnier building, a blacksmith shop, a natural spring, and a pond. Located along a significant travel route between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, the property passed through many hands between the 1840s and the early 20th century. Today, the park contains exhibits related to the agricultural enterprises of Rancho El Encino's various owners, including Mission Indian, Mexican Californio, French, and French Basque families.

The site offers exhibits, tours, and living history events.

Covina Valley Historical Society [CA]

Description

The Covina Valley Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the historical heritage of Covina and West Covina, California, which today are suburbs of Los Angeles. The society maintains two buildings, a local history museum housed in the Firehouse Jail Museum, and the Heritage House, which serves as a historic house museum.

The society offers exhibits, guided tours, and special events. The website offers a brief history of the society as well as visitor information.

North Brevard Historical Museum [FL]

Description

The North Brevard Historical Museum is owned and operated by the North Brevard Historical Society, and works to chronicle the history of North Brevard and Titusville. The museum holds all of the society's collections, and puts on exhibits on local history.

The museum offers exhibits and guided tours. The website offers visitor information and links to the North Brevard Historical Society.

Old Alabama Town [AL]

Description

Old Alabama Town stretches across six blocks in downtown Montgomery, Alabama, and consists of an impressive collection of fully restored 19th and early 20th century structures.

The town offers workshops, interpretive events, costumed interpreters, a variety of tours and educational events, and special events. The website offers an events calendar, visitor information, a history of the town, and a virtual tour. In order to contact the website via email, use the "contact" link located at the top of the webpage.

Orman House [FL]

Description

Built in 1838 by Thomas Orman, this antebellum home overlooks the Apalachicola River, and was used for both business and social gatherings. Orman was a cotton merchant and businessman in Apalachicola from 1840 to the 1870s. He helped the tiny town become one of the Gulf Coast's most important cotton exporting ports during the mid-19th century. The house features details of both Federal and Greek revival styles with wooden mantelpieces, molded plaster cornices, and wide heart-pine floorboards.

The house offers exhibits and tours.