China Camp State Park [CA]

Description

A Chinese shrimp-fishing village thrived on this site in the 1880s. Nearly 500 people, originally from Canton, China, lived in the village. In its heyday, there were three general stores, a marine supply store, and a barber shop. Fisherman by trade in their native country, they gravitated to the work they knew best. Over 90% of the shrimp they netted were dried and shipped to China or Chinese communities throughout the U.S. Visitors can see China Camp Village and walk through the house museum describing early Chinese settlement.

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

Angel Island State Park [CA]

Description

In the middle of San Francisco Bay sits Angel Island State Park. Three thousand years ago, the island was a fishing and hunting site for Coastal Miwok Indians. It was later a haven for Spanish explorer Juan Manuel de Ayala, a cattle ranch, and a U.S. Army post. From 1910 to 1940, the island processed hundreds of thousands of immigrants, the majority from China. During World War II, Japanese and German POWs were held on the island, which was also used as a jumping-off point for American soldiers returning from the Pacific. In the '50s and '60s, the island was home to a Nike missile base.

The site offers tours, exhibits, and educational and recreational programs and events, and works in coordination with the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation, listed above, for educational programs focusing on the immigration history of the island.

Van Liew Suydam House

Description

"Standing atop the hill where South Middlebush and Blackwells Mills Roads meet, with a spectacular view of the Franklin countryside, fields and woods, of the Six-Mile Run Valley, the sunsets may have been one reason Peter Van Liew settled on this site back in the 1700's, and why Joseph Suydam later built part of the house that is seen today. The newest and largest portion of the house was built in 1875. Although the most recent long term owner of the house was named French, the house has been named
after its two founders builders, Van Liew-Suydam.The ornate woodworking on the porch and walls clearly demonstrates a perfect example of the architecture of a 19th century Victorian farmhouse. "

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.

Roseau County Historical Society and Museum [MN]

Description

The Roseau County Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Roseau County, MN. To this end, the society operates a museum of local history. Exhibit topics include the military, the Ojibwe, immigration, and natural history.

The society offers exhibits, research library access, and research assistance. A fee is charged for research library access and for research conducted upon request. The website offers historical photographs.

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.

Pensacola Historical Society and Museum [FL]

Description

The Pensacola Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Pensacola, FL and its people. To this end, the society operates a resource center, housing the society collections, and a museum of local history. Permanent exhibits address maritime history, the Navy and Army, Pensacola's multicultural community, forts and the Civil War, and Native American life. Collections include costume, tools, housewares, furnishings, office equipment, and manuscripts.

The society offers exhibits, guided student tours, self-guided student tours with or without a scavenger hunt, traveling trunks, customizable outreach presentations, student historical research awards, and archive and collection access. Archive and collection access is free to students and members. Traveling trunk topics include Native American history, Jewish history, the Civil War, and British Pensacola.

Western Heritage Center [MT]

Description

The Western Heritage Center seeks to share the human history of the Yellowstone River Valley and the Northern Plains. The center ventures to do so through all relevant perspectives, including those of Native Americans, U.S. military men, Asians, Africans, Europeans, Russians, and French trappers. Permanent exhibits include the artistic works of J.K. Ralston (1896-1987), his studio cabin, and an overview of Montana's Native American tribes. The latter exhibit presents Crow and Northern Cheyenne oral histories gathered by the center. The site is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.

The museum offers exhibits, period rooms, student tours of exhibits, museum and historic site tours for a wide variety of groups, archive access, monthly presentations, traveling exhibits, and traveling trunks. Archive access is by appointment only. The website offers a virtual exhibit.

Windham Textile and History Museum [CT]

Description

The Windham Textile and History Museum presents the history and influence of the U.S. textile industry. Particular focus is given to 1870 through 1920 cotton thread manufacturers in eastern Connecticut; the ethnicity, duties, and recreation of mill workers; and the role of mill managers and employees in U.S. industrialization. The museum is housed within two 1877 structures, once part of the Willimantic Linen Company complex.

The museum offers exhibits, 90-minute guided student tours, hands-on activities for students, slide presentations for students, outreach programs for students, and research library access. The library offers materials on mills, immigration, Connecticut history, and textiles. The website offers PowerPoint presentations for use in the classroom, short videos, and worksheets.