Katahdin Iron Works State Historic Site [ME]

Description

The Katahdin Iron Works is located in rural Maine and was the state's only iron works installation. The iron works operated between 1843 and 1890, and today stands as a monument to the industrial age in Maine. Visitors can view the carefully preserved iron furnaces and buildings, which were restored in 1966. In addition to the Iron Works, the state historic site also offers many options for outdoor activity, including hiking and camping.

The site offers brief historical information and visitor information.

Tampa Bay History Center [FL]

Description

The Tampa Bay History Center is located in the center of historic Tampa, FL, in a beautiful new building which contains 60,000 square feet of exhibits space. The building hosts numerous exhibits which depict almost 500 years of recorded history and 12,000 years of human habitation in this region of Florida. The center also hosts a research center which contains 9,638 books, manuscripts, microfilm, legal documents. In addition, the research center hosts over 1,000 genealogical resources.

The site offers visitor information, a listing of all current, past, and present exhibits, information regarding the other historical resources owned by the center, an education section complete with lesson plans, field trip guides, and interactive online educational activities, a museum store, and an events calendar.

Montgomery Preservation [MD]

Description

"Montgomery Preservation [...], Montgomery County's only county-wide, private, nonprofit historic preservation organization, was originally composed of a small group of local residents who formed the Montgomery County Committee of the Maryland Historical Trust in the early 1970's to further preservation efforts in the county." Today, the organization works to preserve local history on two fronts. First, the organization runs the mid-20th-century Silver Spring B&O Railroad Station, which is open to the public once a month during the summer and fall months. Second, the organization works toward encouraging preservation among local individuals and organizations.

The site offers visitor information for the B&O Station, information about preservation awards, information about current organization advocacy projects, and an events calendar.

Southern Oregon Historical Society and Museums [OR]

Description

The Southern Oregon Historical Society was formed 63 years ago with the mission "to make history come alive by collecting, preserving, and sharing the stories and artifacts of our common heritage." Currently, the society owns seven unique historical properties including two museums, a historic house from the 1890s, Oregon's first bank, a small Catholic rectory, one of Jacksonville's first hotels, and a farm. The museums and the society's research library hold the society's extensive collection of almost a million stories and artifacts.

The site offers general historical and visitor information for the society's research library and other properties, an online store, and an events calendar.

Cooper-Molera Adobe [CA]

Description

The Cooper-Molera Adobe was fully restored in the 1980s and now shows visitors the full elegance and wealth of the John Rogers Cooper family. In addition to the home, the adobe also has two full acres which are open to visitors. Visitors can see the barns, vegetable and fruit gardens, and farm animals that the Cooper family owned.

The home offers guided tours. The website offers basic historical and visitor information.

South Dakota State Historical Society and Museum [SD]

Description

The South Dakota State Historical Society was first organized as the Old Settlers Association of Dakota Territory in 1862. Today, the society is an office within the Department of Tourism and Economic Development, and manages five programs—archaeology, archives, historic preservation, museum, and research and publishing. All programs with the exception of the State Archaeological Research Center are located in the Cultural Heritage Center building in Pierre.

The site offers library access, research information, visitor information regarding the museum, a listing of all exhibits with photographs and a brief synopsis, and on online store for society publications.

Friends of Wilderness Battlefield [VA]

Description

The Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park is one of the largest battlefields in the United States. There were four major battles fought across the area during the civil war. The Friends of Wilderness Battlefield organization is dedicated to preserving the battlefields and to helping the National Park Service with educational tasks. To this end, the organization has led tours of the battlefield, coordinated bus tours for large groups, and put on a variety of educational events for visitors and children.

The site offers historic information about the battlefields, an events calendar, and a media section which contains all past newsletters released by the organization.

Michigan Historic Preservation Network [MI]

Description

"The Michigan Historic Preservation Network is the largest membership organization in the state dedicated to recognizing and preserving Michigan's rich cultural and architectural heritage." The network is dedicated to the restoration of historic districts and structures across the state, and specifically focuses on the restoration of historic districts in small towns. The organization works with Michigan lawmakers to help pass legislation that favors "adaptive re-use" and works with individuals throughout the state to help pass Historic Preservation Easements in order to protect Michigan's past.

The site offers information on all Michigan Historic Preservation Network programs and offers resources and information for individuals interested in becoming active preservationists.

California Department of Parks & Recreation, Office of Historic Preservation [CA]

Description

"The mission of the Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) and the State Historical Resources Commission (SHRC), in partnership with the people of California and governmental agencies, is to preserve and enhance California's irreplaceable historic heritage as a matter of public interest so that its vital legacy of cultural, educational, recreational, aesthetic, economic, social, and environmental benefits will be maintained and enriched for present and future generations." To accomplish this mission, the California OHP and SHRC have a number of programs designed to reward and encourage preservation efforts statewide, including "California Main Street," a program dedicated to revitalizing downtowns across the state, as well as a variety of preservation grants awarded to citizens and organizations focused on preserving historic structures or landmarks.

The site offers in depth information about all SHRC and OHP programs, visitor and historical information about all state parks and historic landmarks, past newsletters, information about training and workshops offered, and links to other resources, including the Tribal Historic Preservation office.

Elkhart County Parks and Recreation [IN]

Description

Elkhart County Parks and Recreation manages of 1,500 acres of parkland throughout Elkhart County perfect for fishing, hiking, or picnicking. In addition, Elkhart County Parks and Recreation owns and manages two sites that bring the history of Elkhart County to life, the Bonneyville Mill and the Elkhart County Historical Museum. Bonneyville Mill is the oldest operating mill in Indiana and visitors can view over 20,000 artifacts reflecting Elkhart County's history at the museum. Finally, Elkhart County Parks and Recreation offer a huge variety of both historical and environmental educational programs. Elkhart County Parks and Recreation will travel to local schools in order to present the programs.

The site offers visitor information for all parks and the museum, an events calendar, and detailed and specific information regarding all of the educational programs offered.