Lyman Museum and Mission House [HI]

Description

The Lyman Mission House was built in 1839 as the Hawaii residence of New England missionaries David and Sarah Lyman. The home has been restored to period style, and is used to depict the lives and challenges of the Lymans. The neighboring museum presents Hawaiian history and culture through fine art pieces, other artifacts, and natural history exhibits. Exhibit topics include Hawaii climate zones, wildlife, minerals, shells, native tools and costume, Hawaiian royalty, sugar industry immigrants, and Chinese art. The site is affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution.

The site offers period rooms, guided house tours, exhibits, guided house and museum tours for students, outreach programs for students, Elderhostel programs, and archive access. Appointments are required for archive access. All school groups must make reservations.

Josephine County Historical Society and Schmidt House Museum [OR]

Description

The Josephine County Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Josephine County, OR. To this end, the society operates the Schmidt House Museum and a research library. The Craftsmen-style Schmidt House was completed in 1910. Today the interior contains many pieces which once belonged to the daughters of the original owners. The museum houses exhibits on children's life, sewing, period kitchen work, the owner's circa 1900 grocery shop, and local historical topics. Oral interpretation uses the Schmidt family to discuss local homesteading, domestic life, business, farming, gold mining, and transportation.

The society offers exhibits, guided tours, living history outreach programs, research library access, and research assistance. A fee is charged for use of the library by non-members and for research conducted upon request.

Shasta State Historic Park [CA]

Description

Six miles west of Redding, a row of old, half-ruined, brick buildings remind passing motorists that Shasta City, the lusty "Queen City" of California's northern mining district, once stood on this site. These ruins and some of the nearby roads, cottages, and cemeteries are all silent but eloquent vestiges of the intense activity that was centered here during the California gold rush. Iron shutters still swing on massive, old, iron hinges before the doors and windows of grass-filled, roofless buildings that once were crowded with merchandise, and alive with the human sounds of business, trade, and social endeavor. The County Courthouse is restored to its 1861 appearance, the year when it was converted from commercial uses to become the Shasta County Courthouse. Today the building is filled with historical exhibits, and an unparalleled collection of historic California artwork that make it the central figure of Shasta State Historic Park.

The park offers exhibits, tours, demonstrations, and occasional recreational and educational events.

The Rengstorff House [CA]

Description

The circa 1867 Victorian Italianate Rengstorff House is furnished to period. The Rengstorffs met and married in California after immigrating separately from Germany. Henry Rengstorff began work in shipping, and eventually became a wealthy agricultural landowner.

The house offers tours led by costumed docents and garden access.

Biltmore Estate [NC]

Description

The Biltmore Estate consists of George and Edith Vanderbilt's 1895 250-room residence and the surrounding grounds. Highlights include pieces by internationally recognized fine artists, Napolean's chess set, and 16th-century tapestries. River Bend Farm presents life on the estate in the 1890s. Sights include historic farm tools, a kitchen garden, living history demonstrations, and farm animals.

The site offers period rooms, exhibits, self-guided house tours, thematic and general guided house tours, audio tours of the house, guided garden tours, self-guided tours of River Bend Farm, guided tours of River Bend Farm, children's activities, craft demonstrations, wine appreciation seminars, outdoor activities, outdoor environmental seminars, customized programs, restaurants, and snack vending. Student specific programs include guided tours and River Bend Farm programs. Wheelchairs are available on site. Boxed lunches are available for students with advance notice. Reservations are required for all visits.

Pebble Hill Plantation [GA]

Description

The Pebble Hill Plantation is a cotton plantation dating to circa 1827. The current 1936 main residence was erected after the original home suffered a fire. The interior has been restored with 19th century furnishings and decorative arts. Collection highlights include Audubon lithographs and a strong collection of sporting art. The grounds contain animal shelters, a tack room, carriage room, pump house, nurse's station, firehouse, carpenter's shop, dog hospital, kitchen garden, 1901 log cabin school, and gardens designed in the 1920s and 1930s.

The plantation offers an introductory video, exhibits, period rooms, self-guided grounds tours, guided house tours, art gallery tours, group tours, a picnic area, and snack vending. The house tour narrative is available in English, Spanish, French, German, and Japanese. Reservations are required for group tours and art gallery tours. Catered picnic lunches can be arranged for groups. The website offers historical photographs

Andes Society for History and Culture and the Hunting Tavern [NY]

Description

The Andes Society for History and Culture seeks to preserve and protect the history of Andes, NY and the surrounding region. To this end, the society operates the Hunting Tavern, which has been restored to the styles of 1840 through 1850. Exhibits include the tap room where Sheriff Osman Steele enjoyed his final drink, the 1953 post office interior, and historic barn-raising tools.

The society offers period rooms, exhibits, tours, and collection access. Visits and collection access are by appointment only. Tavern tours are only offered between Labor Day and Columbus Day.

Moosehead Historical Society, Eveleth-Crafts-Sheridan House, and Lumberman's Museum [ME]

Description

The Moosehead Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of the Moosehead Lake area, ME. To this end, the society operates the Lumberman's Museum and the 1899 Victorian Eveleth-Crafts-Sheridan House. The house holds exhibits of local historical relevance, covering the period between the Civil War and World War II. The Lumberman's House exhibits address Native American life, 19th-century logging, and steamships, among other topics.

The society offers exhibits, guided house and museum tours led by costumed interpreters, and archive access. Archive access is only available during the winter, while guided tours are only available June through September. During the summer, the society hosts periodic living history events. Picnicking is welcome in the sunken garden.

Center for Lowell History [MA]

Description

The Center for Lowell history preserves and makes available materials relevant to the history of the greater Lowell, MA area and the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Topics addressed include area ethnicities and mill workers.

The center offers research library access and occasional exhibits. The website offers historical photographs, historical maps, and oral histories.

California Automobile Museum [CA]

Description

The California Automobile Museum presents more than 160 historic automobiles, including hot rods, race cars, classic cars, muscle cars, and early models. Vehicles in the collection range from an 1882 horse-drawn wagon to a 2003 Fuel Cell Mercedes Benz Necar 4A. Permanent exhibits address clean fuel alternatives, vehicles until 1906, vehicles between 1906 and 1918, pre-Depression vehicles, Depression vehicles, cars designed to impress, speed vehicles, and the evolution of automotive technology.

The museum offers exhibits, family programs, guided student tours, outreach speakers, and research services. Reservations for student tours must be made at least two weeks in advance. A fee is charged for research conducted upon request.