Huntington Homestead Museum [CT]

Description

"The Huntington Homestead in Scotland, Connecticut, is the birthplace of Samuel Huntington, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a distinguished statesman during the Revolutionary War and early Republic. The remarkably well-preserved site includes an eighteenth century house on its original foundation surrounded by acres of farmland, bordered by Merrick Brook." The house now serves as a historic house museum, and is open to visitors from May through October.

The site offers historical information about the museum and Samuel Huntington, visitor information, an archives section featuring old newsletters and site information, an online museum store, and links to other resources, such as biographies of Samuel Huntington and online historical resources in Connecticut.

Westfield-Washington Historical Society and Museum [IN]

Description

The Westfield-Washington Historical Society (WWHS) is dedicated to promoting community and statewide awareness of history and encouraging historic preservation among the public. Currently, the main project of the society is to operate the Westfield-Washington Historical Museum, which opened in April, 2008, and is located in the old fire station.

The site offers an events calendar, visitor information for the museum, an "endangered" section featuring properties in need of preservation, and an online store.

El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park [CA]

Description

This is the site of the oldest building in Santa Barbara and the second oldest in California. Visitors can step back and view this historic site surrounded by modern buildings. El Cuartel, the oldest existing building in Santa Barbara, is all that remains of the last of four Royal Presidios (Spanish military outposts) built in Alta California. The presidio in Santa Barbara was built in 1782. It served as the military and government headquarters for the lands between Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo until 1846. Two original buildings have been restored and five others reconstructed. Handmade adobe blocks were used to reconstruct the Padres' Quarters and Presidio Chapel.

The park offers exhibits and tours.

Longmeadow Historical Society and Storrs House [MA]

Description

The Longmeadow Historical Society, founded in 1899 and one of the oldest historical societies in the country, is dedicated to preserving the history of Longmeadow, MA, and more specifically, the Storrs House. The society is headquartered in the historic 1786 Storrs House, and also helps to preserve the "East Village" and Olde Burying Yard. In addition, the society maintains a small genealogical library.

The society offers tours of the Storrs House, period rooms, and self-guided tours of the Olde Burying Yard. The website offers extensive historical information regarding Longmeadow, the Storrs House, the "East Village," and the Olde Burying Yard. In addition, the site offers an events calendar, and external links to other historical resources.

Booker T. Washington National Monument [VA]

Description

The Booker T. Washington National Monument is located just outside of Roanoke, VA, and consists of the cabin and surrounding grounds where Booker T. Washington was born. Washington's achievements, including founding the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School and his various literary works belie his inauspicious birth as a slave in southwestern Virginia. Visitors to the monument can enjoy a variety of exhibits documenting the life and times of Washington, as well as view first-hand the life of a slave.

The site offers detailed historical and visitor information regarding the monument, as well as a calendar of events and a listing of all educational programs offered. In order to contact the monument via email, use the "contact us" link on the left side of the webpage.

Drake House Museum [NJ]

Description

The Drake House Museum is located in Planfield, NJ, and is owned and operated by the Historical Society of Plainfield. On permanent display in the house are three Colonial era rooms, the kitchen, the Queen Anne dining room, and the Washington bedroom. In addition, the parlor and Harberger Library are interpreted as period Victorian rooms. Thus, visitors to the house can view the house as it was throughout the early history of New Jersey.

The site offers brief historic and visitor information, an events calendar, information about the "Traveling Trunk," a traveling exhibits that shows a virtual tour of the house as well as several house artifacts, and an online newsletter.

The museum is currently closed for renovation.

Howard County Historical Society and Museum [IN]

Description

The Howard County Historical Society is dedicated to maintaining and showcasing the history of Howard County, IN. To this end, the society owns and operates a county historical museum which is located in the Seiberling Mansion, a beautiful 1891 Queen Anne and Romanesque Revival structure which has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In addition to the museum, the society runs a local history archives, which features thousands of archives and manuscripts chronicling Howard County's history. The archives are open to the public by appointment.

The site offers visitor information, information for prospective researchers, information regarding building rental, an online version of the society's newsletter, and an events calendar.

President James K. Polk State Historic Site [NC]

Description

Located on land once owned by President James K. Polk's family, this historic site is where the 11th president grew up. Here he spent spent most of his childhood, helping work the 250-acre farm. The site recalls significant events in the Polk administration including the Mexican War, settlement of the Oregon boundary dispute, and the annexation of California. Reconstructions of typical homestead buildings—a log house, separate kitchen, and barn—are authentically furnished.

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

Carlyle House Historic Park [VA]

Description

"The historic Carlyle House," according to its website, "was completed in 1753 by Scottish merchant John Carlyle for his bride, Sarah Fairfax of Belvoir, member of one of the most prestigious families in colonial Virginia. Their home quickly became a center of social and political life in Alexandria and gained a foothold in history when British General Braddock made the mansion his headquarters in 1755." Today, the house has been restored to its pre-Revolutionary War state, and offers visitors a glimpse into the life of the colonial upper classes.

Events include guided tours and programs for school groups (grades K-8) and occasional recreational and educational events. The website offers historical information, visitor information, an events calendar, and a detailed history of the house.

Ximenez-Fatio House [FL]

Description

The Ximenez-Fatio House is one of St. Augustine's "most authentic historic properties." The house is the best preserved of roughly three dozen colonial buildings in St. Augustine. The grounds and buildings that compose the home date all the way back to St. Augustine's original town plan of 1572. Visitors to the home will be taken on a trip starting in the late 18th century when the house was built all the way through Florida's acquisition as a U.S. state in 1845. The house museum focuses on the property's role as a boarding house, one of the few socially acceptable business ventures for a 19th-century woman.

The house offers exhibits and guided tours for school groups, as well as a DVD presentation on Florida's territorial-era history, Florida: The 27th Star, for order. The website offers visitor information, detailed historical information, a virtual tour of the home, and resources for teachers, including lesson plans, a tour designed for schoolchildren, and historical information about the property.