Bucks County Historical Society and Museums [PA]

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.

Kam Wah Chung and Co. Museum [OR]

Description

The Kam Wah Chung Museum preserves the history of the Chinese workforce in Oregon, and contains artifacts and displays that share some of the trials of everyday life of Chinese immigrants in Oregon. The building that houses the museum is the same building used by Chinese businessman Lung On and herbal doctor Ing Hay to administer herbal remedies to Chinese laborers in Western Oregon.

The museum is open from May first through October 30th each year, and offers exhibits and artifacts showcasing the history of Chinese laborers in Oregon. The site offers a brief history of the museum and visitor information.

Lewes Historical Society and Museums [DE]

Description

From Captain Kidd and the eternal rhythms of the tides to the salty courage of the Delaware pilots and the nationally recognized architecture of the Lewes historic district, Lewes's past is colorful, unique, and proud. The Lewes Historical Society began in 1961 as local residents identified a need to preserve Lewes' architectural heritage and for an organization to act as a steward for Lewes's past, which stretches back to humble Dutch origins in 1631. The society runs 12 museums, all of which are historic house and living history museums.

The society offers access to all historic house museums, a variety of educational events and resources, including guided tours and sample curriculums, and seasonal events. The site offers information about all above activities and resources, including visitor information and brief historical information on all museums operated by the society, as well as information regarding educational programs.

Historic River Towns of Westchester [NY]

Description

The Historic River Towns of Westchester is a consortium of waterfront towns along New York's Hudson River. The organization works to promote and aid in historic and preservation efforts in the river front communities along the river.

The consortium offers guided tours, river cruises, and information about all historic museum located in the towns that make up the consortium. The site offers visitor information, information regarding the tours and cruises, and a calendar of events.

Silver Spring Historical Society [MD]

Description

The mission of the all-volunteer Silver Spring Historical Society is to create and promote awareness and appreciation of Silver Spring's heritage through sponsorship of educational activities and the preservation and protection of historical sites, structures, artifacts, and archives.

The society offers walking tours of Silver Spring's Main Street, as well as tours of the B&O Railroad Station. The site offers past news regarding Silver Spring and the historical society, visitor information for the B&O Railroad Station, information on upcoming events, and an online gift shop.

Fort Ticonderoga National Historic Landmark [NY]

Description

Fort Ticonderoga is located in upstate New York, and is famous for its pivotal roles in the French and Indian War and, more importantly, the Revolutionary War. However, the fort is much more than a restored military fortress. A typical visit to the fort will include rich and varied offerings including costumed interpreters, 30-minute guided tours, a world class museum, daily musket demonstrations, and self-guided tours of the Fort.

The site offers a detailed history of the fort, an events calendar, visitor information, and information regarding major events and educational programs. The site also offers a page for educators detailing Fort Ticonderoga's participation in National History Day, which is on February 27th.

Anthracite Heritage Museum and Iron Furnaces [PA]

Description

The Museum tells the story of the people who came from Europe to work in the anthracite mining and textiles industries. On a tour of the facility visitors will experience the lives of proud people who endured harsh working conditions yet carved out communities filled with tradition. The diverse collection highlights life in the mines, mills, and factories. Visitors are welcomed into the families' homes and neighborhoods with a moment of reflection in the kitchen, a visit to the pub, or a seat in a local church.

The museum offers exhibits, tours, trolley rides, research library access, and occasional recreational and educational events.

Wyandot County Historical Society and Museums [OH]

Description

The Wyandot County Historical Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the acquisition, preservation, and interpretation of physical evidence, relevant to the history of Wyandot County, OH, and surrounding areas. To fulfill such purposes, the Wyandot County Historical Society will support, operate and maintain facilities with professional standards of operation for its collections. In particular, the historical society runs two museums, the Overland Inn Museum and the Wyandot County Museum. The Overland Inn Museum is a living history museum which gives visitors a sense of life on the road in the 19th century, while the Wyandot County Museum is a typical local history museum with exhibits and artifacts which chronicle local history.

The site offers visitor information, brief historical information regarding the buildings that house the museums, and an events calendar. The society offers visitors and educators museum access and tours of the museums.

Duke Homestead [NC]

Description

Visitors to the Homestead can see the early home, factories, and farm where Washington Duke first grew and processed tobacco. His sons later founded The American Tobacco Company, the world's largest tobacco company. Duke and others helped create a market for Durham-area tobacco products that eventually would turn North Carolina into the heart of an international tobacco empire. Many profits were invested in land and industries but others were used for such humanitarian causes as Duke University, named for the family. The tour includes the Duke family's restored home, an early factory, a curing barn, and a packhouse. The Tobacco Museum exhibits traces tobacco history from Native American times to the present.

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