Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum [MA]

Description

Ventfort Hall is an Elizabethan-style mansion built in 1893 for Sarah Morgan, the sister of J. P. Morgan. Designed by the architects Rotch and Tilden, it is located in Lenox, Massachusetts, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The home is also home to the Museum of the Gilded Age. Currently, the home is partially restored, and contains exhibits, presentations, and special events that give visitors a view into life during the Gilded Age.

The mansion and museum offer concerts, tours, exhibits, and presentations. The website offers a history of the mansion, along with visitor information and an events calendar.

Westmoreland County Historical Society [PA]

Description

The Westmoreland County Historical Society is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history of Westmoreland, PA. The society offers periodic tours of historical sites in the area and operates the historic Hanna's Town. The village consists of the reconstructed Hanna Tavern/Courthouse and three vintage late 18th century log houses, a reconstructed Revolutionary era fort and blockhouse, and a wagon shed that houses an authentic late 18th century wagon.

Hanna's Town offers school tours, interpretive activities, and a variety of special events including summer camps for schoolchildren, colonial court days, and antique shows. The website offers visitor information, a brief history of Westmoreland County and a calendar of events.

Caldwell Birthplace [GA]

Description

The Caldwell Birthplace is a historic house museum showcasing the birthplace of famous author Erskine Caldwell. In addition to being preserved in its condition at the time of Caldwell's birth, the museum offers books written by and about Erskine Caldwell, items that belonged to Caldwell or his parents, and photographs from various period of his life.

The museum is open on weekends and offers self-guided tours. The website offers visitor information and recent news regarding the museum.

Milwaukee County Historical Society, Center, and Historic Sites [WI]

Description

The Society operates the Historical Center, in the 1913 Second Ward Savings Bank building, as well as several historical sites, including Trimborn Farm, Jeremiah Curtin House, Lowell Damon House, and Kilbourntown House. Trimborn farm lets visitors take a giant step back into pioneer times. They can delve into Victorian-era industry, reminisce about 19th-century farm life, and witness Wisconsin culture come to life as embodied by the immigrant entrepreneur Werner Trimborn, his family, and his employees. With help from a stone mason, Irish immigrant David Curtin built the first-of-its-kind stone Jeremiah Curtin House in the Old Town of Greenfield in 1846. Started in 1844 by Oliver Damon and completed in 1847 by his son Lowell, the Lowell Damon House is Wauwatosa's oldest residence and stands as a classic example of a colonial home. Built in 1844 by Benjamin Church, Kilbourntown House was originally located in the area of Milwaukee known as Kilbourntown. This building was moved to Estabrook Park in 1938 and serves as a fine example of Greek Revival architecture.

The society offers research library access, lectures, and occasional recreational and educational events; the Center offers exhibits and tours; the Farm offers tours and occasional recreational and educational events (including living history events); the Jeremiah Curtin House offers tours; the Lowell Damon House offers tours; Kilbourntown House offers tours.

Old Stagecoach Stop [MO]

Description

The Old Stagecoach Stop, also known as the Waynesville House, was built in 1854. The home also served as a hotel and was on the old stage route from Saint Louis to Springfield. The Old Stagecoach Stop Foundation restored the building to its 1890 condition, and today the old hotel serves as a historic house museum.

The structure offers guided tours and interpretive events, and is furnished with 18th-century furniture. The structure is open from April until September. The website offers a history of the structure, visitor information, online newsletters, and an events calendar.

Umpqua Lighthouse State Park [OR]

Description

The Umpqua Lighthouse State Park offers tours of the 1894 lighthouse and an adjacent museum.

The park offers a lighthouse museum that showcases the history of the lighthouse, guided tours of the lighthouse, and a variety of outdoor activities. The website offers visitor information, a downloadable map, and a brief history of the site.

Jacksonville Historical Society and Merrill House [FL]

Description

The Jacksonville Historical Society preserves the history of Jacksonville, Florida, and operates the 1886 Queen Anne-style Merrill House, which today serves as a historic house museum.

The society offers periodic guided tours of Jacksonville as well as a bookstore and a collection of photographs. The Merrill House is open year-round for tours and can accommodate groups by appointment. The website offers visitor information and histories of Jacksonville, the Merrill House, and the society, as well as special features which highlight particular aspects of Jacksonville's history.

Martha's Vineyard Preservation Trust [MA]

Description

The Martha's Vineyard Preservation Trust preserves the structures and history of Martha's Vineyard. The trust owns nine historic properties, including the 1672 Vincent House, the 1840 Dr. Daniel Fisher House, and 1843 Old Whaling Church.

The trust offers tours of the Vincent House, which is furnished to depict life and architecture on the island during the last four centuries, and the Fisher House and Whaling Church. The trust also operates the Flying Horses Carousel, open continuously since 1876. The website offers visitor information, historic information regarding the island, and virtual tours of several properties.

Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site [NY]

Description

In 1776 56 loyalists signed the Declaration of Dependence at the Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site.

The Manor Hall currently serves both as a local and national history museum. Highlights of the Hall include the building itself, a collection of Presidential portraits, and exhibits on local history. The website offers a brief history of the site, visitor information, and information regarding upcoming events.

Stearns History Museum [MN]

Description

The Stearns History Museum is a local history museum focusing on the history and culture of central Minnesota.

The museum offers a variety of exhibits, including exhibits on pioneer and rural life. The museum also offers a theater, which shows short historical films, genealogical research resources, a storyteller, and special events throughout the year. The museum is open year-round, and offers self-guided and group tours. The website offers visitor information, library access, and an events calendar.