Historical Society of Washington, DC [DC]

Description

The Historical Society of Washington, DC, is dedicated to preserving the unique historical and cultural heritage of Washington, DC. The society owns and operates a local history museum, which is located in Washington's famous Carnegie Library, which was once the primary library in the DC public library system.

The society offers exhibits, guided tours of the museum, educational programs, and special events. The website offers educational resources including lesson plans and documents, visitor information, and a brief history of the society.

Historical Museum of Southern Florida [FL]

Description

The Historical Museum of Southern Florida presents the history of South Florida and the Caribbean. The museum's permanent exhibit addresses Native American life, the international rivalry for dominance in the region, southward expansion and Seminole displacement, the development of technology and the region's economy, and immigration and tourism to South Florida. Consistent themes include ethnic diversity, immigration, and use of the natural environment.

The museum offers exhibits, summer camps, curriculum-based programs for students, historical site excursions for students, outreach programs for students, evening history programs, family programs, social and ecological history tours for adults, and research library and archive access. The website offers pre-visit materials.

Transylvania County Historical Society [NC]

Description

The Transylvania County Historical Society was founded in 1987 in order to preserve the Allison-Deaver House. The society is also dedicated to preserving the history of Transylvania County.

The society offers occasional special events and guided tours of the Allison-Deaver house. The website offers visitor information, a brief history of the society, and a listing of upcoming events.

House of David Museum [MI]

Description

The House of David Museum presents the story of the Christian religious community known as the House of David, founded in 1903. Members created most, if not all, of the items which they needed or desired for the rest of the community. At its height during the 1930s, the House of David served the early U.S. tourist population through its own amusement park, hotels, and restaurants, among other amenities. The House of David was also known for its baseball prowess, and would play games against teams in the Negro Leagues—unthinkable at a time when sports were so stringently divided by race.

The museum offers exhibits and self-guided tours. Appointments are required for groups of 25 or more. Groups receive an introduction and, when possible, a guided tour.

Gardner Museum of Architecture and Design [IL]

Description

The Gardner Museum is a stone Romanesque Revival style building erected in 1888. It was designed by the Chicago architectural firm of Patton and Fisher and built with limestone supplied by the Frederick W. Menke Stone Works of Quincy. It presents exhibits related the history of local architecture and design. The second floor's large room, formerly the library reading room, has a tongue and groove wood vaulted ceiling. It now houses the "Aspirations in Glass" exhibit of stained glass windows saved from demolished churches.

The museum offers exhibits, research library access, and tours. Unfortunately, the museum is now closed due to lack of funding.

Museum of the Oregon Territory [OR]

Description

The Museum of the Oregon Territory provides visitors with changing exhibits on the Oregon Territory, Clackamas County, and historic Oregon City. Recognized as the official end of the Oregon Trail, Oregon City was Oregon’'s first capital and a major industrial and political center in the West. Highlights include 15,000 year-old petroglyphs and artifacts from Willamette Valley Native American communities. The museum is also home to the Clackamas County Historical Society’s extensive collection and library, where guests can research land claim documents, marriage returns, Civil War records, and historical photographs.

The museum offers exhibits and a research library.

Patterson Township Historical Society and Museum [CA]

Description

The history of the Patterson Township began with a Mexican land grant given to two brothers in 1844. The town was entirely sold to T.W. Patterson and family by 1908. Patterson decided to build his town in the same way as Paris and Washington D.C., laying out a series of circles with radiating streets. Patterson soon became a vibrant farming community in California's central valley. In 1978, the Center Building was granted to the Historical Society for use as a Patterson Township history museum. Today, the museum also serves as the headquarters for the Patterson-Westley Chamber of Commerce.

The site offers several photographs depicted early figures from Patterson's history and the present day history museum, purchasing information for "The Gateway," the Patterson Historical Society's annual publication, and general information regarding the society.

Allen County Museum [OH]

Description

The Allen County Museum includes the main museum building, presenting displays on local history; the 1893 Victorian MacDonell House; a log house; and the John H. Keller Railroad Archives and the Elizabeth M. MacDonell Memorial Library.

The museum offers exhibits, research library archives, educational tours for school groups, and in-class traveling trunk outreach presentations.