Sod House Museum [OK]

Description

Thousands of "soddies" once dotted the prairies of Oklahoma, but only this sod house built in 1894 by Marshal McCully remains. McCully took part in the largest of Oklahoma's land runs when the Cherokee Outlet opened for settlement at noon on September 16, 1893. McCully first lived in a one-room dugout, hollowed out of a ravine bank. He built the two-room sod house in August 1894 using blocks of the thick buffalo grass blanketing Oklahoma's prairies. Although the soddy remains in its original location a cover structure now protects it from the elements. Visitors can enjoy the unique experience of walking through the furnished sod house to imagine what life was like for Oklahoma's early settlers.

The museum offers tours and scavenger hunts (basic for grades 2-3, detailed for grades 4-8). The scavenger hunt is handed out to students after a brief history of the sod house, allowing them to answer questions about the house, surrounding area and find specific artifacts in the museum.
There is also a Trunk Show on kitchen items is for 1-4th grade. This is a hands on program: items are taken out of a trunk and passed around for students to see and feel, with students encouraged to name the item and discuss how it was used and why.

Old Stone House [NY]

Description

The Old Stone House is a reconstruction of the 1699 Vechte-Cortelyou House, a Dutch farmhouse. The site interprets the role of the structure in the Revolutionary War and in shaping both Brooklyn, NY and the nation. During the August 22, 1776 Battle of Brooklyn, British forces seized the building, effectively cutting off American retreat. The Continental Army, outnumbered five to one, managed to regain control of the structure twice before finally losing ground. The bravery of the troops heartened George Washington and his men.

The site offers exhibits, tours, and 90-minute curriculum-based student programs. Pre- and post-visit materials are provided for all educational programs. Reservations are required for tours and student programs.

Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site [TX]

Description

A double-pen, cedar log dogtrot house, Fanthorp Inn was built by an English immigrant, Henry Fanthorp, when Texas was part of Mexico. Fanthorp petitioned Stephen F. Austin in 1832 for permission to settle in this Original Austin Colony. He bought 1,100 acres and built his house in 1834 on the road that crossed his land, thus bringing travelers to his door immediately. Henry Fanthorp was appointed Postmaster by the Provisional Texas Government in 1835 and saw the advantage of offering other services and goods to his frequent visitors. Within time, Fanthorp's became a well-known stopping place for both travelers and the community.

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

Jim Thorpe Home [OK]

Description

The Oklahoma Historical Society, with its affiliate, the Jim Thorpe Foundation, preserves and displays the former home of the 1912 Olympian containing exhibited artifacts from Jim Thorpe and his family.

The home offers tours.

Heritage Society of Washington County and Museums [TX]

Description

The Heritage Society of Washington County seeks to preserve and share the architecture and history of Washington County, Texas. To this end, the society operates the 1869 Giddings Stone Mansion and 1843 Giddings Wilkin House Museum. Both residences are furnished to period. The owner of both properties, Jabez Deming Giddings, was involved in real estate, cattle, banking, and the railway systems.

The society offers period rooms and tours. Reservations are required.

Lyndon B. Johnson State Park, Historic Site, and Sauer-Beckmann Farm [TX]

Description

The park's location is historically significant since it is in the heart of the former President's home country. The area has been influenced by three major cultures: Native Americans, Spanish, and German. Indians roamed the Hill Country first, leaving behind artifacts which tell of their nomadic life. The Spanish conquistadors followed, bringing a culture which was to endure to the present. German immigrants settled the Hill Country in the early 1800s and their descendants still call it home. Their culture has had a major impact on the development of the region and the park itself. All of these cultures are represented at the park. The Visitor Center contains memorabilia from President Johnson's presidency and interactive displays about the land and people that shaped a president. Attached to the Visitors Center is the Behrens Cabin, a two-room dogtrot cabin built by German immigrant H. C. Behrens during the 1870s. The furnishings are typical of such homes in that period. Visitors can further explore the history of these immigrants by viewing the 1860s Danz family log cabin located just west of the Visitor Center. Also located in the park is the Sauer-Beckmann Farm, a living history farm. Life on the farmstead is presented as it was in 1918. Park interpreters wear period clothing, do the farm and household chores as they were done at that time, and also conduct tours for the visitors.

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

Belle Meade Plantation [TN]

Description

The 30-acre Belle Meade Plantation holds the Federal-style 1853 Belle Meade mansion and seven other historic buildings, including a stable and carriage house. The plantation was founded by John Harding in 1807. Harding was a devoted thoroughbred breeder and racer, as were many gentlemen from the South during his time. Tenneessee thoroughbred breeding became less common after the Civil War, as the state saw extensive troop movement. The mansion facade includes Greek Revival elements added in 1853, and the interior is furnished with 19th-century pieces. The plantation owned more slaves than the majority of antebellum Nashville plantations. Some of these slaves served as horse grooms and jockeys.

The plantation offers period rooms, 45-minute guided mansion tours, five educational program options for students, summer camps, home school days, traveling trunks, toddler programs, a student book club with online interactive activities, a junior docent program, culinary guided tours, and a restaurant. Reservations are required for groups of 15 or more. The second floor is not wheelchair accessible.