Louisiana State Fire Museum [LA]

Description

The Louisiana State Fire Museum is housed in the David Crocket Fire Hall. Built in 1859, the fire hall is the home of the David Crockett Volunteer Fire Company which was organized in 1841 and today is the oldest continually operating volunteer fire company in the United States. The museum has two floors of exhibits which showcase items of historical valley to the David Crockett Fire Company and the history of firefighting.

The site is part of the greater Gretna Historical Society website, and so offers information about all of the museums and historic homes owned and operated by the society.

Eustis Historical Museum & Preservation Society [FL]

Description

The Eustis Historical Society is dedicated towards preserving and showcasing Eustis area history through the Eustis Historical Museum. The museum is located in the Clifford House, which was built in 1911, and remains much the same today as it was when it was first built. Exhibits in the museum mainly focus on the early history of Eustis, Florida, which was dominated by the citrus industry. In addition, visitors can view photographs of early residents of Eustis.

The site offers visitor information, brief historical information, and an online museum shop.

Connecticut Historical Society [CT]

Description

Established in in 1825, the Connecticut Historical Society is one of the oldest historical societies in the nation and today runs a museum, library, and education center. The museum hosts an impressive collection of Connecticut historical artifacts, including 242,000 photographs and 38,000 objects. The library is similarly extensive, and also has one of the finest genealogical collections in the nation. The education center holds a variety of events, including museum tours and programs, outreach programs, online resources, and professional development for educators.

The site offers library access, information on all educational programs offered by the society, visitor information, an events calendar, exhibits information, eight online exhibits, and resources for genealogical researchers.

Ratcliffe-Allison House & Kitty Pozer Garden [VA]

Description

Built in 1812, the Ratcliffe-Allison House is one of the oldest residences in the historic city of Fairfax, Virginia. The house has been converted to a historic house museum, and features objects and exhibits that illustrate the daily activities of the homes 12 owners. This enables the home to show visitors how the City of Fairfax changed throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. The home was donated to the City of Fairfax by its owners in 1973.

The site offers brief historical information regarding the home.

Johnson Hall State Historic Site [NY]

Description

William Johnson was the primary landholder and most influential individual living in the Mohawk Valley in the mid 18th century. He is known for his genius in dealing and trading with the local indians and for helping England gain control of North America. The home is a classic Georgian home made with wood that was designed to appear as stone. Visitors can enjoy the home and its grounds, which have been restored to their state in the 18th century.

The site offers visitor and historical information regarding the home. In addition, the site is part of the New York State Parks official website, and thus offers links to information about all New York State Historic Sites.

Rock Island Lighthouse Historical & Memorial Association [NY]

Description

The Rock Island Lighthouse is located in the Thousand Islands about 4.5 miles north of Clayton off of Fisher's Landing. The lighthouse was originally commissioned in 1847 and is one of six lighthouses that serve the St. Lawrence River. Today, the lighthouse and island are maintained by the NY State Office of Parks and Recreation. The island is only accessible by boat, but is available for touring and picknicking. The association is founded with the intention of preserving the history and genealogy of the lighthouse keepers, documenting the history of the lighthouse, facilitating visits to the lighthouse, and working with the New York State Office of Parks and Recreation in order to aid in the preservation of the lighthouse.

The site offers visitor information, historical and genealogical information regarding the lighthouse keepers, links to outside resources - mainly journal and press articles, a virtual tour, and an extensive photo gallery.

Jubilee College State Historic Site [IL]

Description

Note: As of January 2011, site is closed due to short staffing. Check site for status.
The Jubilee College State Historic Site preserves the remnants of Jubilee College, which was founded in 1839 by Philander Chase, the first Episcopal Bishop of Illinois. The school included a theological seminary, a college, a classical preparatory school for boys, a seminary for girls, and some small farming operations. Now, visitors can tour the school, which has been partially restored to its 19th century state. In particular, visitors are offered a guided tour of the recreated chapel/schoolroom/dormitory wing and the recreated library and schoolmaster's office.

The site is part of the greater Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (IHPA) website, and so only offers minimal visitor information regarding Jubilee College, but does offer links to the greater resources of the IHPA and other historic sites in Illinois, including Abraham Lincoln's presidential library.

Texas Fire Museum [TX]

Description

"The Texas Fire Museum was founded in August 1999 to preserve the old Dallas Fire Department Maintenance Facility and to establish a fire apparatus museum that serves as an educational resource for the community. Presently, we have over 60 antique apparatus on display." In addition to the displays and exhibits offered by the museum, the museum also seeks to help individuals and organizations preserve vintage pieces of firefighting equipment.

The site offers a virtual tour of the museum, consisting of photographs of all current exhibits and artifacts currently on display in the museum, visitor information, and a calendar of museum events.

Enfield Historical Society Inc [CT]

Description

The Enfield Historical Society is dedicated towards discovering, preserving, and showcasing the history of Enfield, Connecticut. Enfield is notable for the Thompsonville Carpet industry, the Hazardville gunpowder industry, and the Enfield Shaker Community. The society owns and operates three museums, all of which are open to the public free of charge. The Old Town Hall Museum was built as a church in 1774, and today functions both as a museum and as the headquarters of the society. The Martha A. Parsons House Museum houses over two centuries of Parsons family possessions, and gives visitors a window into the past of Enfield. Finally, the Wallop School Museum was built in 1800 and remained in service as a school house until 1949. Now, visitors can explore education throughout the history of Enfield. In addition to the museums, the society offers educational and research services to the public.

The site offers general information about the museums, genealogical research information, a calendar of events, and information about how to join the society.

The Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms [NJ]

Description

Located in the township of Parsippany-Troy Hills, Craftsman Farms is the former home of designer Gustav Stickley, a major proponent of the "Arts and Crafts" style of home building and furnishing. The home, which was built in 1911, is one of the most notable landmarks of the Arts and Crafts movement, and has been designated a National Historic Landmark. Stickley is most well known for his furniture design, which today is often called "mission" or "Craftsman" furniture, and is noted for being handmade and utterly functional. Visitors to the site can enjoy many classic examples of "Arts and Crafts" style furniture as well as learn more about the history of the movement and the history of Gustav Stickley.

The site offers historical information about Stickley, Craftsman Farms, and the Arts and Crafts movement. In addition, the site offers visitor information, an events calendar, and an online store.