Butler-McCook House and Garden [CT]

Description

For 189 years the Butler-McCook House and Garden was home to four generations of a family who participated in, witnessed, and recorded the evolution of Main Street between the American Revolution and the mid-20th century. The house's exterior looks much as it did when it was built in 1782. Behind it is a restored Victorian ornamental garden, originally laid out in 1865. Inside are the original furnishings ranging from Connecticut-crafted colonial furniture to Victorian-era toys and paintings to samurai armor acquired during a trip to Japan. The objects were accumulated over the course of more than 125 years by members of this clan, which included physicians, industrialists, missionaries, artists, globe trotters, and pioneering educators and social reformers. The Main Street History Center's keystone exhibition, "Witnesses on Main Street," uses the Butler and McCook families' words and experiences to chronicle their neighborhood's transformation from a clutch of clapboard dwellings, taverns, and artisans' shops into a modern urban enclave of multistory steel, brick, and stone structures housing major financial, industrial, governmental, and cultural institutions.

The house offers exhibits and tours.

Ardenwood Historic Farm [CA]

Description

Ardenwood Historic Farm is the historic home of George Washington Patterson. Patterson came west in 1849 during the gold rush to seek his fortune; instead he settled at Ardenwood Farm in southern Alameda County. The Historic Farm is faithfully restored and features agricultural practices from the 1870s to the present, demonstrating the transition from horse-powered equipment to modern farming equipment. There are more attractions than just the house, however. The park also features a horse-drawn train, victorian garden, animal farms, and a restored blacksmith shop.

The site offers general information about the park for visitors, a calendar of events, a trail map, and information regarding field trips for educators.

Joseph Manigault House

Description

The Joseph Manigault House sits in downtown Charleston near the City Visitor Center. The house was designed by gentlemen architect Gabriel Manigault for his brother, Joseph. Joseph owned plantations, sat in the state legislature, and was a trustee of the College of Charleston. Gabriel, who owned plantations and commercial investments, is credited with designing Charleston’s City Hall and the South Carolina Society Hall. The house is an exceptional example of Adam-style, or Federal, architecture. The house has been restored and is furnished with American, English, and French pieces of furniture from the early 19th century. In addition, outside the house is a beautiful period garden.

The site offers general information about the Joseph Manigault House, but is part of the Museum of Charleston web site, which features an event calendar, general visitor information, general information on all current and past exhibits, a museum store, and resources for educators including programs for elementary, middle, and high school students.

Schuylkill Historical Fire Society [PA]

Description

The Schuylkill County Fire Museum was formally dedicated during the fall of 1999 with several commemorative events and a dedication parade. The museum serves as the headquarters for the Schuylkill Historical Fire Society and is housed in the former Columbia Hose & Steam Fire Engine Co. #1 station in Shenandoah. The museum is a combination of a restoration of the station to its 19th century glory and an interesting collection of antique fire equipment. In addition, the society is interested in maintaining the local Gamewell fire alarm systems.

The site offers information about the museum and society, raffle drawings, and a online discussion forum. A virtual tour will be online soon.

Keyport Fire Museum Association Inc.

Description

Located in the heart of downtown Keyport, the Keyport Fire Museum and Education Center is houses in the former quarters of Raritan Hose Co. No. 2. Built in 1900 and moved to its present site in 1919, the building opened as a museum in October of 2003 after thousands of hours of volunteer labor. The Museum is dedicated to preserving the history of the Keyport Fire Department as well as educating visitors on fire prevention.

The site offers general information about the museum.

Illinois State Fire Museum [IL]

Description

The Illinois State Fire Museum is located in Springfield, Illinois, was opened in 1994 and is owned and operated by the State Fire Marshal. The Fire Museum houses one of the world's largest collections of patches, with patches from throughout Illinois, the United States and even Europe. The museum also holds several pieces of antique firefighting gear, along with a children's interactive, educational computer room. Here, children can learn about fire safety. The museum is available to the public by appointment.

The site offers links to the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshall with information about fire safety. No information beyond a general overview is available on the museum.

Champoeg State Heritage Area [OR]

Description

Champoeg features a combination of history, nature, and recreation. This is the site where Oregon's first provisional government was formed by a historical vote in 1843. Situated on the south bank of the scenic Willamette River, Champoeg's acres of forest, fields, and wetlands recreate the landscape of a bygone era. Visitors can tour the park's visitor center, Newell House, and Pioneer Mothers Log Cabin museums to discover pioneer life at Champoeg; or take a guided walk to learn what happened to the bustling pioneer town of Champoeg, and how the Donald Manson Barn was built. An 1860s-style garden lies next to the visitor center. The park also includes the Historic Butteville Store founded in 1863. It is considered the oldest operating store in Oregon. The store is the last commercial vestige of the once thriving Willamette River community of Butteville.

A second website for the area, the Friends of Historic Champoeg site, can be found here.

The area offers short films; exhibits, tours; educational programs; demonstrations; lectures; and educational and recreational events, including living history events.

Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum [PA]

Description

Landis Valley Museum, a living history village and farm, collects, preserves, and interprets the history and material culture of the Pennsylvania German rural community from 1740 to 1940 and enhances understanding of their successful practices, interactions with others, and the impact on the state and nation for citizens of and visitors to the Commonwealth. Visitors experience 18th- and 19th-century village and farm life in Lancaster County, PA, all in one visit. With over 100 acres and many historic buildings to explore throughout the four seasons, there is always something to see at Landis Valley Museum.

The site offers exhibits, tours, demonstrations, educational programs that meet PA state curriculum standards, lectures, workshops, and recreational and educational events (including living history events).

Historic Washington State Park [AR]

Description

Historic Washington is a restored 19th-century town with 45 historic structures. Classic examples of Southern Greek Revival, Federal, Gothic Revival, and Italianate architecture stand as a legacy to life in Washington from 1824 to 1889. From its establishment in 1824, Washington was an important stop on the rugged Southwest Trail to Mexico, and later, Texas. James Bowie, Sam Houston, and Davy Crockett each traveled through Washington at various times. Vistiors can stroll the plank boardwalks along streets that have never been paved, and explore this tree-shaded town many call "the Colonial Williamsburg of the Southwest."

The site offers exhibits, tours, demonstrations, research library access, workshops, and educational and recreational events (including living history events).

Hubbardston Area Historical Society

Description

" The purpose of the Hubbardston Area Historical Society shall be to promote the preservation, understanding and appreciation of the historical and cultrual heritage of Hubbardston and the surrounding area by:
1. encouraging historical and genealogical study and research,
2. collecting, preserving, interpreting and exhibiting historical and cultural objects, artifacts and sites,
3. encouraging public participation in the activities of the society through publications, programs and the preservation of archives and historical collections and to encourage the establishment and operation of a local historical museum."

The site offers basic information about the society.