Lehigh County Historical Society [PA]

Description

The Lehigh County Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley. To this end, the society operates a museum, six historical sites, and a research library. Collections include more than 35,000 artifacts and close to 3 million archival documents. Historical sites include the 1770 Trout Hall, the 1756 Troxell-Steckel Farm, the 1893 Claussville One-room School, Haines Mill, the 1868 Lock Ridge Furnace, and the 1893 Saylor Park Cement Kilns.

The society offers exhibits; guided tours; archival and library access; and outreach living history presentations, slide shows, and videos. Interactive school tours include pre- and post-visit material, and were developed in accordance with state educational standards. The society can provide boxed lunches upon request.

Matthew Edel Blacksmith Shop [IA]

Description

This uniquely preserved blacksmith shop is exactly as German immigrant Matthew Edel left it the day he died. Edel, a skilled blacksmith and inventor, operated the shop until his death in 1940. Visitors can see his tools and wares and hear stories about blacksmithing during the age before tractors and automobiles.

The site offers tours and demonstrations.

Vincennes State Historic Sites [IN]

Description

The Vincennes State Historic Sites commemorate Indiana's early state history—with the city itself founded in 1732. Structures include the 1805 Indiana Territory capital building; a historic print shop; the birthplace of the author Maurice Thompson; an 1838 bank; Fort Knox II, hospital to the wounded of the Battle of Tippecanoe; the 1801 Jefferson Academy; and a prehistoric burial mound. Maurice Thompson (1844-1901) authored 1900's bestselling romance novel, Alice of Old Vincennes. Topics covered include slavery, military life, domestic life, historical sciences, the fur trade.

The sites offer period rooms, educational outreach programs, group tours, educational presentations, interpretive signage, educational programs, lesson plans, and summer camps.

South Pass City State Historic Site [WY]

Description

South Pass City has a variety of interesting and educational activities for visitors throughout the summer. When the presence of volunteer staff permits, not only can visitors walk through each of the 17 restored and exhibited original structures, they can enjoy ice-cold sarsaparillas and a game of billiards on a restored 1860s period table, as well as hear the ring of a hammer on steel when the blacksmith shapes hot iron. Each day, one can shop in the historic Smith-Sherlock General Store or pan for gold in the clear waters of Willow Creek. In the Interpretive Center, visitors can also learn about other gold-producing methods that have been used around South Pass City throughout its history.

A second website for the site can be found here.

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

Nordic Heritage Museum [WA]

Description

The Nordic Heritage Museum presents the history of Scandinavian immigrants in the United States, as well as serving as a cultural center where people of all backgrounds are welcomed to be inspired by the values, traditions, art, and spirit of the Nordic peoples.

The Museum offers guided tours of the Dream of America immigration exhibit as well as self-guided tour options. Outreach trunks can be rented for classroom use for two-week periods, and include hands-on items, curriculum materials, and activities. Available trunks are the Immigrant Trunk, Nordic Folk Art Trunk, Trolls and Norse Gods Trunk, and Viking Trunk. The Nordic Adventures program provides presentations for your classroom on a number of Nordic subjects, free of charge. Weekend programs are also available for families.

Heritage Museum [MT]

Description

The Heritage Museum presents the history of Lincoln County, Montana. Exhibit topics include transportation, explorers, fur trappers, the Kootenai people, mining, logging, and the natural environment. Period rooms display 19th-century life.

The museum offers exhibits and period rooms. Tours can be arranged by appointment. The museum is only open during June, July, and August.

Historical Society of Kent County and Museum [MD]

Description

The Historical Society of Kent County is dedicated to preserving Kent County and Chestertown's heritage as a commercial center in colonial times. The society is headquartered in the Geddes Piper House, which is a fine example of the Federal style of architecture. Today, the house serves as society headquarters, a local history museum, and a historic house museum. The home also is host to the society's extensive local history archives.

The society offers exhibits in the Geddes Piper House, guided tours of the house, tours of other Chestertown historic homes, and special presentations. The website offers visitor information, histories of Chestertown and the Geddes Piper House, and access to the society's archives.

Bodie State Historic Park [CA]

Description

Bodie State Historic Park is a genuine California gold-mining ghost town. Visitors can walk down the deserted streets of a town that once had a population of 10,000 people. The town was founded by Waterman S. Body (William Bodey), who had discovered small amounts of gold in hills north of Mono Lake. In 1877, the Standard Company struck pay dirt and a gold rush transformed Bodie from a town of 20 people to a boomtown. Only a small part of the town survives, preserved in a state of "arrested decay." Interiors remain as they were left and stocked with goods.

The park offers exhibits and tours.

Wells Fargo History Museum [CA]

Description

The Wells Fargo History Museum presents the history of Wells, Fargo & Co., a joint stock company for California banking and express business. Founded in 1852, the company was offering nationwide service as early as 1888. The museum collection includes a period Agent's office in a recreated historical building; an original Concord Coach, acquired by Wells Fargo in 1867; a 19th-century pocket watch; and two telegraph machines.

The museum offers exhibits and guided tours. The website offers a PDF listing educational standards covered during tours and a summary of tour topics.