Pomeroy Living History Farm [WA]

Description

The Pomeroy Living History Farm is a non-profit educational museum depicting 1920's agrarian life in Southwest Washington state. The farm is open to the public the first full weekend of each month, June through September. Over 25 staff and volunteers dress in period costume and utilize living history as an interpretive technique to provide many hands on experiences for guests.

The farm offers tours, living history exhibits, and a gift shop. The website offers a detailed history of the location, visitor information, a virtual tour of the museum, and an online repository of farm newsletters.

Pearce-McAllister Cottage [CO]

Description

The Dutch Colonial Revival Pearce-McAllister Cottage, built in 1899, reflected the original owners' desires to have a cottage similar to those seen in the older districts of the eastern United States. The second owners, the McAllisters, remodeled the interior in the 1920s decor seen in the home. Today, the Pearce-McAllister Cottage is home to the Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls, and Toys, which manages the site, and has exhibits throughout the house. The collection encompasses more than 10,000 items dating from 1680 through today.

A second website, focusing more closely on the Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls, and Toys that occupies the cottage, can be found here.

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

Paynes Creek Historic State Park [FL]

Description

During the 1840s, tensions between the settlers and Seminole Indians prompted authorities to establish a trading post in Florida's interior, away from settlements. Built in early 1849, the post was attacked and destroyed by renegade Indians that summer. In late 1849 Fort Chokonikla was built nearby as the first outpost in a chain of forts established to control the Seminoles. The Seminoles never attacked the fort, but the Army was nearly defeated by mosquitoes. A museum at the visitor center depicts the lives of Florida's Seminole Indians and pioneers during the 19th century.

The park offers exhibits, tours, short film screenings, and educational programs.

Western Historic Trails Center [IA]

Description

The Center prepares visitors for an adventure along the western historic trails. Here, they can receive an orientation for trips north following the Lewis and Clark Trail or for trips west following the routes of early travelers on the Oregon, Mormon, and California Trails. They can enter the Lied Historical Building on the Path of Names to enjoy educational exhibits, maps, films, and sculpture.

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

Museum of Indian Arts and Culture [NM]

Description

The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, one of four museums in the Museum of New Mexico system, is a premier repository of Native art and material culture. It tells the stories of the people of the Southwest from prehistory through the present day. The museum serves the public through changing exhibitions, public lectures, field trips, artist residencies, and other educational programs.

The museum offers a variety of events and exhibits to the public, several thematic tours designed for schoolchildren, tours for adults and other museum guests, and research materials and collections for researchers. The website offers visitor information; a history of the museum; online resources, including podcasts and online exhibitions; information on upcoming events; and information regarding the programs and exhibits offered by the museum.

Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historic Site [TX]

Description

Governor Hogg bought this property in 1902. While he had initially thought of it as an investment, Hogg soon came to think fondly of the plantation as a second home for his scattered family. Hogg was convinced that the property contained oil in quantities equal to Spindletop, and he drilled several wells trying to find it. He died, however, in 1906, 14 years before his beliefs were vindicated. The West Columbia field was brought in during 1920 and proved very productive, becoming the cornerstone of the Hogg family wealth. Until 1958, the Hogg family leased the surface rights for farming and raising livestock, but usually kept the house and immediate outbuildings for weekend and vacation use. In 1958, Miss Ima Hogg, well-known Texas collector and philanthropist, refurbished and refurnished the house and kitchen building and donated the property to the state to commemorate her father and other Texas and American heroes.

The site offers tours.

Sussex County Historical Society and Museum [NJ]

Description

The Sussex County Historical Society was established in 1904, following the culmination of the county's 150th anniversary celebration. The Society brings together people interested in the prehistory, history, and native culture of Sussex County. The Society seeks out, collects, preserves, restores, and studies materials that reveal and illustrate the county's history. The Society encourages and supports policies and projects that enhance the appreciation and preservation of Sussex County's heritage. One of the society's achievements is the restoration and care of the Old Newton Burial Ground located across Main Street from the society headquarters, which are located at the Hill Memorial Building, along with the society museum and library. The Hill Memorial was listed on both the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places in 1985 as the oldest museum building in New Jersey.

The museum offers historical exhibits and special events highlighting the history of Sussex County. The museum also offers tours and programs for the general public and schoolchildren. The website offers a history of Sussex County, genealogical information, visitor information, information regarding local attractions and lodging, and a small online bookstore.

Goleta Valley Historical Society and Rancho La Patera [CA]

Description

The Society manages and preserves the five-acre Rancho La Patera, including the 1873 Stow House gardens. Today, the society presents the Ranch as a historic house museum and living history site where visitors can experience rural ranch and California life in the late 1800s.

The museum offers a variety of events, visitor tours, educational programs, and tours tailored for schoolchildren. The website offers a brief history of the ranch, information about upcoming events, an events calendar, visitor information, and a section for teachers which includes a field trip guide.

Bucks County Historical Society and Museums [PA] Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 01/08/2008 - 13:33
Description

The Bucks County Historical Society seeks to make the presentation of historical information both engaging and relevant to everyday life. To this end, the society operates the Mercer Museum, Fonthill Museum, and Spruance Library. The Mercer Museum, housed within a 1916 structure, presents pre-Industrialization artifacts of daily life. Exhibit topics include illumination, medicine, tinsmithing, transportation, and dairy farming, among more than 60 early American trades. The Spruance Library is housed within the Mercer Museum. The 1912 Fonthill Museum is a historic home. Once home to Henry Chapman Mercer (1856-1930), anthropologist, antiquarian, archaeologist, and designer of renowned Moravian tile, the Byzantine, Gothic, and Medieval structure is now furnished in period style. Many of the pieces are original to the site and their locations within the home.

The society offers exhibits, period rooms, guided tours of the Fonthill Museum, curriculum-based programs, curriculum-based traveling trunks, curriculum-based outreach presentations, concerts, workshops for children and teenagers, summer camps, Act 48 workshops, research library access, collections access, and research services. Reservations are strongly advised for the Fonthill Museum. The Mercer Museum is approximately 65 percent wheelchair accessible. The Fonthill Museum is wheelchair accessible on the first floor only. Collections access is by appointment only. A fee is charged for research conducted upon request. The website offers pre- and post-visit materials and an online catalog.

Francis Mill Preservation Society [NC]

Description

The Francis Mill is located just outside of Waynesville, North Carolina. The mill was built in 1887 and served as a corn and wheat mill for the next 100 years. In 2003, the mill was slated for destruction, but was saved by the timely intervention of the Francis Mill Preservation Society, which continues to work to preserve and restore the mill.

The mill offers tours and "education days," which are days devoted to educating local schoolchildren. Education days feature tours and lectures that highlight the history of the mill. The website offers visitor information, a brief history of the mill, a photo gallery featuring current and historical photos of the mill, and educational information.