Huntington Historical Society and Historic Structures [NY]

Description

The Huntington Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Huntington, New York. To that end, the society operates four historical structures: the 1795 Dr. Daniel Kissam House Museum, 1750 David Conklin Farmhouse, Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Building, and the Huntington Sewing and Trade School. The trade school building, which housed one of the United States' earliest vocational schools, now holds the society's library.

The Dr. Daniel Kissam House Museum offers period rooms and exhibits, while the David Conklin Farmhouse offers guided tours and period rooms in Colonial, Federal, and Victorian styles. The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Building offers exhibits. The society also offers interactive educational outreach programs with slide presentations, interactive educational programs led by costumed interpreters and aligned with state educational standards, day camps, lectures, after-school programs, and outreach lectures. The Dr. Daniel Kissam House Museum is open by appointment only, and reservations are required for group tours of the David Conklin Farmhouse. Students may use the archives free of charge.

Historical Museum at St. Gertrude [ID]

Description

The Historical Museum at St. Gertrude presents the history of North Central Idaho. Collections include more than 10,000 archival materials; 150 years of textiles; weaponry, some of which was used in the 1877 Nez Perce War; Nez Perce artifacts; a range of historic office machinery, including a 1902 Burroughs “Moon Hopkins” bookkeeping machine and an 1895 Dactyle calculator; world minerals; mining equipment; medical artifacts, including a 1900 fetal monitor and a tonsillectomy chair; and artifacts of Chinese immigrants. The museum also owns many of Polly Bemis' previous possessions. Bemis (1853-1933), originally from China, was brought to an Idaho mining camp as a female slave. Roughly 12,000 artifacts, some of which date to the 14th century, are on display.

The museum offers exhibits

Rancho de Guadalupe Historical Society [CA]

Description

The Rancho de Guadalupe Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Guadalupe, California. To that end, the society operates a museum, a historic jail, and a non-circulating library. Artifacts on display include Native American adobes and pieces representative of the cultures which succeeded the Chumash—the Chinese, Filipinos, Mexicans, Swiss, Italians, Spanish, Japanese, and Portuguese.

The society offers exhibits and library access.

Cannon Beach Historical Center and Museum [OR]

Description

The Cannon Beach History Center and Museum displays the history of Cannon Beach, Oregon. Exhibits include a hands-on reconstructed longhouse.

The museum and center offers acoustic concerts, monthly lectures, exhibits, a Spanish audio translation of the primary permanent exhibit, and field trip programs designed to meet state educational standards. The website offers coloring pages and an interactive quiz.

Contra Costa County Historical Society [CA]

Description

The Contra Costa County Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the history of Contra Costa County and Martinez, California, in particular. The society runs a local history museum, the Contra Costa County History Center. The center is open to the public by appointment, and offers exhibits on Contra Costa County. Prospective visitors should check the website to check what exhibits are currently up.

The website offers visitor information, a collection of articles on local history, an extensive collection of historic photographs, and an events calendar.

Kelly House Museum [CA]

Description

The Kelly House Museum is located in the historic Kelly House, which was built in 1861. In addition to serving as a historic house museum, the home offers exhibits on the cultural heritage of the Mendocino Coast. The home also serves as a shining example of the unique Victorian architecture that led to Mendocino's recognition as a National Historic Preservation District.

The museum offers exhibits, walking tours of the Mendocino National Historic District, guided tours of the home, and special events. The website offers visitor information and a history of the home.

Blount Mansion Association [TN]

Description

Blount Mansion was the original home of William Blount, a signer of the US Constitution and the first and only governor of the Southwest Territory. Blount was also instrumental in helping Tennessee gain statehood status. The Blount Mansion was granted status as a National Historic Landmark in 1965, and today serves as a historic house museum, a museum of early American history, and a museum of local history.

The museum offers exhibits, guided tours, field trip programs designed to address state curriculum objectives, and special events. The website offers visitor information, a history of the mansion, and information regarding the programs offered by the mansion.

South Pass City State Historic Site [WY]

Description

South Pass City has a variety of interesting and educational activities for visitors throughout the summer. When the presence of volunteer staff permits, not only can visitors walk through each of the 17 restored and exhibited original structures, they can enjoy ice-cold sarsaparillas and a game of billiards on a restored 1860s period table, as well as hear the ring of a hammer on steel when the blacksmith shapes hot iron. Each day, one can shop in the historic Smith-Sherlock General Store or pan for gold in the clear waters of Willow Creek. In the Interpretive Center, visitors can also learn about other gold-producing methods that have been used around South Pass City throughout its history.

A second website for the site can be found here.

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

High Desert Museum [OR]

Description

The High Desert Museum presents the cultural, natural, and artistic histories of the High Desert, a region within southeastern Oregon. The site includes indoor exhibits, numerous wildlife enclosures, and a living history hall and 1880 homestead.

The museum offers a 15-minute introductory presentation, exhibits, period rooms, 30-minute to full-day guided tours, self-guided tours with pre- and post-visit activities, thematic school festivals, 30- to 90-minute outreach presentations, spring and summer camps, educator workshops, wildlife demonstrations and talks, 19th-century skill demonstrations, and a cafe. At least two weeks notice is required for group visits. Contact the museum for information on box or sack lunches.

Nordic Heritage Museum [WA]

Description

The Nordic Heritage Museum presents the history of Scandinavian immigrants in the United States, as well as serving as a cultural center where people of all backgrounds are welcomed to be inspired by the values, traditions, art, and spirit of the Nordic peoples.

The Museum offers guided tours of the Dream of America immigration exhibit as well as self-guided tour options. Outreach trunks can be rented for classroom use for two-week periods, and include hands-on items, curriculum materials, and activities. Available trunks are the Immigrant Trunk, Nordic Folk Art Trunk, Trolls and Norse Gods Trunk, and Viking Trunk. The Nordic Adventures program provides presentations for your classroom on a number of Nordic subjects, free of charge. Weekend programs are also available for families.