Crater of Diamonds State Park [AR]

Description

In 1906, John Huddleston, the local farmer who owned this property, found the first diamonds here in Murfreesboro, AR, and started the diamond mining rush. After a series of ill-fated mining ventures followed by tourist attractions, the site became an Arkansas state park in 1972. Visitors today are invited to prospect in the park's diamond search area, a 37-acre plowed field that is the eroded surface of an ancient volcanic pipe that, 95 million years ago, brought to the surface the diamonds and some of the semiprecious stones lucky visitors find here today. Within the park boundary many remnants of old mining ventures remain including the Mine Shaft Building, the Guard House, mining plant foundations, old mining equipment, and smaller artifacts. Nowhere else is North American diamond mining history as evident or as well-preserved as here.

The site offers short films, exhibits, tours, educational programs, and occasional recreational and educational events.

Fort Owen State Park [MT]

Description

Fort Owen's adobe and log remains preserve the site of the first permanent white settlement in Montana. Major John Owen established the fort as a regional trade center in 1850 and period furnishings and artifacts are displayed in the restored rooms of the east barracks. In 30 minutes, visitors can browse through a small museum housed in preserved and partially reconstructed structures.

The site offers exhibits and occasional recreational and educational events.

Massasoit Historical Association and Maxwell House [RI]

Description

The Maxwell House was built between 1752 and 1756 by the Reverend Samuel Maxwell. The house, which is the oldest brick dwelling in Warren, is distinguished by the distinctive Flemish bond pattern of the brickwork, its field stone foundation, and its large central chimney. The Maxwell House is maintained by the Society as a working museum.

The house offers tours, educational programs, and occasional recreational and educational events.

Gilbert Stuart Birthplace [RI]

Description

The Birthplace serves as a showplace for reproductions of the works of one of America's foremost portrait painters and as an authentically restored and furnished workingman's home and the site of the first snuff mill in America. The wooded homestead on the banks of the Mattatuxet Brook also features a partially restored grist mill and a fish ladder. In spring the ladder is packed with migrating herring, swimming furiously to reach the pond above the mill dam. The grist mill houses the original fine-grained granite stones used to grind corn for the famous Rhode Island Johnny Cakes.

The site offers tours and occasional recreational and educational events.

North Carolina Transportation Museum

Description

Visitors to the Museum discover the people and machines that have moved North Carolina. Located on the site of Southern Railway's former steam locomotive repair facility Spencer Shops, this is where locomotives that hauled Southern's passenger trains and freight trains filled with North Carolina furniture, textiles, tobacco, and produce were serviced from 1896 to the late 1970s. Up to 3,000 people once worked here but today visitors can see an authentic train depot, antique automobiles, and a roundhouse with 25 locomotives.

A second website for the museum, operated by the Friends of the Museum, can be found here.

The site offers a short film, exhibits, tours, train rides, educational programs, and recreational and educational events.

Cordell Hull Birthplace and Museum [TN]

Description

The site consists of a representation of Hull's log cabin birthplace, an activities center, and a museum housing documents and artifacts. Also on the park is beautiful Bunkum Cave Trail leading to an overlook and the actual entrance of historic Bunkum Cave where Cordell Hull's father made moonshine years ago. The collection includes his Nobel Peace Prize that is on display.

The museum offers a short film, exhibits, and occasional recreational and educational events.

Pinson Mounds State Archaeological Park [TN]

Description

Pinson Mounds, one of two state archaeological parks, is a special park, set aside to protect the prehistoric remains found there. The Pinson Mounds grouping consists of at least 15 earthen mounds, a geometric enclosure, habitation areas, and related earthworks in an area that incorporates almost 1,200 acres.

The site offers exhibits, tours, educational programs, and occasional educational and recreational events.

Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park [FL]

Description

This site was once part of a thriving sugar plantation owned by David Levy Yulee. Yulee was a member of the Territorial Legislative Council, and served in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate after Florida statehood. The park contains the remnants of the once-thriving 5,100-acre sugar plantation: a 40-foot limestone masonry chimney, iron gears, and a cane press. The steam-driven mill operated from 1851 to 1864 and served as a supplier of sugar products for southern troops during the Civil War.

The park offers tours and educational programs.

San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park [FL]

Description

The history of this National Landmark began in 1528 when Panfilo de Narvaez arrived in the area with 300 men; however, the first fort was not built until 1679. Andrew Jackson occupied the fort for a brief time in the early 1800s. The museum at the park displays pottery and tools unearthed near the original fort and explains the history of the San Marcos site.

The park offers exhibits and tours.