Slater Mill Historic Site [RI]

Description

Slater Mill is a museum complex dedicated to bringing one of the most exciting and significant periods of American history to life. Visitors to the site experience a time when an America of small farmers and craftsmen was poised to become the industrial leader of the world. In the Slater Mill itself, visitors are surrounded by vintage textile machinery bathed in the light of large windows. With expert commentary from costumed interpreters they can imagine the lives of the people—many of them children—who made the early mills come alive.

In the nearby Wilkinson Mill they can feel the throb of the great 16,000-pound mill wheel, a replica of the original wheel that harnessed the power of the Blackstone River to make the era's finest tools. Children get up close and personal with early production processes as they provide the power and operate miniature machinery in the Apprentice Alcove. In the Sylvanus Brown House they can look back to a time when spinning, weaving, cooking, and quilting were the stuff of everyday life.

The site offers a short film, exhibits, tours, demonstrations, workshops, educational programs, and occasional recreational and educational events (including living history events).

Bidwell House Museum [MA]

Description

Built in 1750, the Bidwell House served as a parsonage for the town's first minister, Reverend Adonijah Bidwell. The Museum contains artifacts from the daily life of its 18th and 19th century inhabitants.

The Museum offers educational programs for school groups of all ages.

Oakland Museum [OR]

Description

Oakland Museum is a small, volunteer-run town museum devoted to the history of Oakland, Oregon. Remodeled in 2004, the museum offers six new exhibits with interpretive panels added. Topics include the railroad, bank, pharmacy, doctor's office and a parlor.

Free self-guided tours are available but no educational programming is offered.

Van Wickle House [NJ]

Description

The Van Wickle House was built in 1722 by the son of a wealthy Dutch carpenter. The home is a fabulous example of the Dutch architecture common to the New Jersey and New York area. Today, the home stands as a historic house museum, and is also frequently rented for community activities.

The home offers guided tours. The website offers a history of the home and visitor information.

Women in History [OH]

Description

Women in History seeks to increase awareness of women's impact on U.S. history through dramatic re-creations of the lives of notable female figures. Costumes are period or patterned from period pieces, and hairstyles are created by a specialist in historic hair design. The organization is able to portray more than 100 historical figures.

The organization offers presentations, which generally include two 25-minute living history presentations by costumed "historical figures," an opening and closing, and time for questions and answers. The organization also offers two programs designed specifically for elementary and middle school students.

Sterne-Hoya House Museum and Library [TX]

Description

The Sterne-Hoya Museum and Library is located in the historic Adolphus Sterne home. The home now serves as a historic house museum, but also offers exhibits on local history, with a special interest in the Sterne and von der Hoya families. The home is furnished with period antiques and is located on the National Register of Historic Places.

The museum offers guided tours and exhibits on the history of rural, eastern Texas. The website offers visitor information.

MacGregor Ranch [CO]

Description

The MacGregor Ranch is one of the last working ranches and interpretive museums in Colorado. The Ranch and its museum showcase Colorado's cattle ranching history with collections ranging from antique farming equipment to family heirlooms from the MacGregor family.

The site offers tours of the museum and ranch buildings including the barn, as well as educational programs for school groups. At certain time of the year, school groups are able to see the ranch at work with educational activities involving live animals. Self-guided educational programs are also available.

Bridgton Historical Society [ME]

Description

The Bridgton Historical Society is dedicated to the preservation of the historical heritage of Bridgton, Maine, and the surrounding areas. The society owns and operates a local history museum, as well as Narramissic, the Peabody-Pitch Farm. Today, Narramissic stands as a historic house museum, and offers visitors a glimpse of rural life in New England on the eave of the Civil War.

The society offers guided tours of the museum and Narramissic, monthly presentations, and research resources. The website offers a history of Bridgton, visitor information, and an events calendar.

Daniel Webster Birthplace State Historic Site [NH]

Description

The Daniel Webster Birthplace State Historic Site is associated with the birth and early childhood years of Daniel Webster, one of the country's most respected orators and statesmen. While the site affords a view of the early years of Daniel Webster, it also provides a glimpse of 1700s farm life in the infant years of the United States.

The site offers tours, educational programs, and living history programs and events.