Museum of Work and Culture [RI]

Description

"This interactive museum presents story of immigrants who came to find a better life in the mill towns along the Blackstone River. The exhibits also recreate their life at home, at church, at school, and present the unique Woonsocket labor story of the rise of the Independent Textile Union, which grew to dominate every aspect of city life." -http://www.rihs.org/Museums.html

School tours are available and include a guided tour of the museum, living history presentations, and a Blackstone River cruise.

Billings Farm and Museum [VT]

Description

The Billings Farm and Museum presents the history, culture, science, and environmental implications of Vermont farm life. Sights include a working dairy farm, an 1890s period-furnished farm house, and exhibits on family farming responsibilities in 1890. The 270-acre farm was established in 1873, and has maintained a herd of Jersey cows since that time. Other animals on site include oxen, Percheron horses, sheep, and chickens. Nearly 200 acres of the farm contain corn silage, alfalfa, and grass hay fields.

The museum offers films on the history of Billings farm, forestry, and environmental awareness; exhibits; hands-on butter making; milking demonstrations; heirloom garden tours; 19th-century children's games; sheep, pumpkin, apple, feed, chicken, calf, and cow programs; hands-on craft activities; research library access; and a snack counter. Appointments are required for library access. Wheelchairs are available for use on site. The 1890s Farm House is partially wheelchair accessible. Visitors are asked to refrain from feeding or petting the animals.

Haywood Hall [NC]

Description

Haywood Hall is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, and was built by John Haywood. Haywood served as North Carolina's state treasurer for 40 years, from 1786 until his death in 1827. Haywood was required to live in the state capital, and so built Haywood Hall in 1799. Today, the home is open as a historic house museum.

Haywood Hall offers guided tours and is available for rental for special events. The website offers a biography of John Haywood, a history of the home, and visitor information.

Van Cortlandt House Museum [NY]

Description

Van Cortlandt House Museum is a beautiful historical house museum located in Van Cortlandt Park, which is in the Bronx. The house was home to the wealthy Van Cortlandt family, and takes visitors back to a period when Van Cortlandt Park was no more than a farm.

The museum offers individual and group tours along with special events. The website offers visitor information.

Chinqua-Penn Plantation [NC]

Description

The Chinqua-Penn Plantation, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is one of America's great architectural models. Designed in the fashion of an English Countryside Mansion, Chinqua-Penn is notable both for its size and its grandeur. Today, the home stands as a historic house museum and is furnished with the same furniture used by the Penns.

The home offers guided tours and special events. The website offers visitor information, a history of the home, an events calendar, and a virtual tour. In order to contact the mansion via email, use the "contact us" link located on the left side of the webpage.

Pioneer Woman Museum [OK]

Description

The Museum preserves the legacy of women from all races, creeds, and nationalities who have contributed to the development of Oklahoma. Its education center features craft demonstrations, special exhibits, an interactive timeline, and the Pioneer Woman Walk of Fame.

The museum offers exhibits, demonstrations, workshops, and educational and recreational events.

John Dickinson Plantation [DE]

Description

The John Dickinson Plantation was the home to John Dickinson, a Delaware member of the Continental Congress (who didn't sign the Declaration of Independence), Delaware Congress, Constitutional Convention, and Governor of Pennsylvania. He was known for his opposition to American Independence. His home serves as an excellent example of an 18th century plantation.

The site offers character-interpreted tours on a variety of topics designed to adhere to Delaware educational standards (K-12). Tour topics include daily life, slavery, colonial plantation workings, etc.

Gore Place [MA]

Description

Gore Place consists of the 1806 Federal-style home, estate, and farm of Massachusetts Governor and U.S. Senator Christopher Gore (1758-1827). Significant guests of the Gores included Secretary of State Daniel Webster and President James Monroe. The Gores' African American butler Robert Roberts wrote and published the The House Servant's Directory, a type of domestic servant's advice compilation, in 1827.

The site offers period rooms, guided mansion tours, self-guided tours of the grounds, sheep, goats, poultry, a 40-minute living history outreach presentation by "Robert Roberts," a 2-hour elementary school education program, student group tours of the mansion, 11 Girl Scout programs, activity backpacks for use on site, full moon tours, and Jane Austen tours. Full moon tours are not intended for children under six years of age. The Jane Austen tours interpret period rural life through the words of author, Jane Austen. The website offers a free curriculum program, descriptions of the ways in which various programs meet curriculum standards, and a list of suggested reading and viewing materials.

Riverside, the Farnsley-Moremen Landing [KY]

Description

Riverside, the Farnsley-Moremen Landing, is an example of a typical 19th century farm along the Ohio River. Today the site consists of the historic house, a detached 19th century kitchen, archeological excavations, and a kitchen garden. A Visitors' Center, museum shop, and cruise service are also offered.

The site offers an award-winning field trip program, Building Block of History, that can be adapted for any grade level and meets curriculum standards for many subject areas. The program includes a tour of the historic house, a chance to participate in the ongoing archeological dig on-site, and a hands-on activity where students can create their own archeological artifact. The site offers pre-visit activities for teachers to use in their classroom as well. Another option is the Life On the River program, which can also be adapted for any grade level.

Cuneo Museum & Gardens [IL]

Description

The Cuneo Museum is a great example of elegant living in the Gilded Age. Built as a home for Samuel Insull in 1914, the house was bought by the Cuneo family in 1937. The house was designed in the Venetian style of architecture and is filled with antique furnishings and artwork.

Group guided tour and self-guided tours (with a booklet) are available. The estate also includes extensive gardens, a tropical plant conservatory, and deer and peacock pens.