American Gothic House [IA]

Description

Although not open to the public, visitors are welcome to view the house from the outside as Grant Wood did in 1930 when he was inspired by its unusual Gothic window. Visitors can enjoy the collection of American Gothic parodies, an educational exhibit, and videos on Grant Wood's life.

A second website for the site can be found here.

The site offers short films, exhibits, and tours (of the visitor center, not the house itself).

Fire Museum of Maryland [MD]

Description

The Fire Museum of Maryland opened in 1971 as a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation. It ranks as one of the finest fire fighting museums in the United States, and displays apparatus from 1806 to 1957. As an educational institution, the Fire Museum provides a variety of special events for children, fire fighters, and interested adults that introduces them to the history of antique fire apparatus and the related memorabilia. Through a variety of exhibits and audio-visual programs, the history of fire fighting is told. Videos on hand-drawn apparatus, the 1904 Baltimore fire, fire prevention, and technical subjects provide a diverse learning experience.

The site offers educational information, shopping, research information, and general information about the museum.

Weeksville Heritage Center

Description

Weeksville Heritage Center is dedicated to preserving the Hunterfly Road houses. These houses represent one of the first free African American community in the United States. In 2005, the houses underwent a three million dollar restoration, and now sit in a park in central Brooklyn, similar to their original setting. A new education/cultural center is being built now.

The site offers information about historical Weeksville, an archive of press releases, and information about upcoming events.

Naper Settlement [IL]

Description

The Naper Settlement's living history museum tells the story of daily life in Naperville as it changed from a simple frontier outpost to a bustling turn-of-the-century community.

The settlement offers exhibits, tours, demonstrations, research library access, educational programs, and recreational and educational events (including living history events). The website offers information about the history of Naper settlement as well as current information for visitors.

Twinsburg Historical Society

Description

The Twinsburg Historical Society owns and operates three different historic buildings in Twinsburg, Ohio. The main building of the Twinsburg Historical Society contains many items from the last 100 years. It was originally known as the Twinsburg Institute. The Freeman Barn, property of the Twinsburg Historical Society, is located adjacent to the main building, the barn was built in 1870. The barn houses many of the farm implements of the past. Finally, the Riley House, built in 1853, is preserved and furnished with period furniture.

The site contains limited information about the society as well as event information and past press.

First National Bank Museum

Description

The First National Bank is one of Columbia, Pennsylvania's oldest and most historic buildings. Founded in 1864, the First National Bank of Columbia moved into the building, which had been built in 1814 and had served as a residence and hotel up until that point. The building was converted into a museum in 1967. The museum is a faithful recreation of the bank in its original setting, and visitors can enjoy exploring the bank building as it looked in the late 19th century.

The site offers general historical information about the bank, as well as visitor information for the museum.

Constitution Island Association [NY]

Description

Constitution Island is part of West Point, the United States Military Academy, a National Registered Landmark. The Island is most famous for the Great Chain that was placed across the Hudson during the Revolutionary War and the Warner family who lived on the Island during the 19th century. The Warner House and ruins of the Revolutionary War fortifications are the primary points of interest.

The site offers tours and occasional recreational and educational events (including living history events).

National Capital Trolley Museum [MD]

Description

The National Capital Trolley Museum preserves and interprets the heritage of electric and interurban railways of Washington, D.C. and environs for the benefit of present and future generations, while supplementing its collections with significant national and international objects to enhance its interpretive programs.

The museum offers exhibits, street car rides, educational programs, and occasional recreational and educational events.

Salem 1630: Pioneer Village [MA]

Description

Visitors can step back in time to 17th-century New England at Salem's oldest living history museum. The site is a recreation of the English colony established by Roger Conant and his intrepid band of settlers. From these humbling beginnings the seeds of Revolution were planted.

The site offers exhibits and demonstrations.

Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches, Melrose Plantation, and Kate Chopin House [LA]

Description

The Association for Preservation of Historic Natchitoches seeks to preserve areas of historic value in the oldest settlement in the Louisiana Purchase Territory. The Association maintains the Melrose Plantation and the Kate Chopin House. The Melrose story begins with Marie Therese Coincoin, a slave born in 1742; she was eventually she sold to a Frenchmen, Claude Thomas Pierre Metoyer. In time, Metoyer freed Marie Therese and 10 Franco-African children. Evidence points to Metoyer as the father of these children. Marie Therese and son Louis Metoyer received large grants of land including the present Melrose Plantation. This Creole-style home celebrates its most famous resident, Kate Chopin, and its original inhabitant, Alexis Cloutier. Built by slave labor between 1805 and 1809, the structure exemplifies the early 19th-century homes of the area.

The association offers occasional recreational and educational events; the plantation offers tours; the house offers exhibits and tours.