Fort Dobbs [NC]

Description

Named for royal governor Arthur Dobbs, the fort was built during the French and Indian War to protect settlers. In 1760, a raiding party of Cherokee Indians were repelled during the only direct attack attempted against the fort. Historians believe it was dismantled after pioneers pushed further west. Fort Dobbs is the only North Carolina state historic site associated with the French and Indian War and the only one located along the official colonial frontier.

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

Vanceboro Historical Society [ME]

Description

The Vanceboro Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the history of Vanceboro, ME, named after William Vance, an unsavory politician who made vast sums of money through shady import and export business. Vanceboro is located on the border between the United States and Canada, and the historical society seeks to chronicle the past of the hardy townspeople who persevered in this frigid climate.

The society offers a small display of local artifacts. The website offers photo galleries of Vanceboro, the Vanceboro School, historical artifacts owned by the society, and the Maine Central Railroad. The site also offers information on recent society meetings.

El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park [CA]

Description

This is the site of the oldest building in Santa Barbara and the second oldest in California. Visitors can step back and view this historic site surrounded by modern buildings. El Cuartel, the oldest existing building in Santa Barbara, is all that remains of the last of four Royal Presidios (Spanish military outposts) built in Alta California. The presidio in Santa Barbara was built in 1782. It served as the military and government headquarters for the lands between Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo until 1846. Two original buildings have been restored and five others reconstructed. Handmade adobe blocks were used to reconstruct the Padres' Quarters and Presidio Chapel.

The park offers exhibits and tours.

Ximenez-Fatio House [FL]

Description

The Ximenez-Fatio House is one of St. Augustine's "most authentic historic properties." The house is the best preserved of roughly three dozen colonial buildings in St. Augustine. The grounds and buildings that compose the home date all the way back to St. Augustine's original town plan of 1572. Visitors to the home will be taken on a trip starting in the late 18th century when the house was built all the way through Florida's acquisition as a U.S. state in 1845. The house museum focuses on the property's role as a boarding house, one of the few socially acceptable business ventures for a 19th-century woman.

The house offers exhibits and guided tours for school groups, as well as a DVD presentation on Florida's territorial-era history, Florida: The 27th Star, for order. The website offers visitor information, detailed historical information, a virtual tour of the home, and resources for teachers, including lesson plans, a tour designed for schoolchildren, and historical information about the property.

Fort Jesup State Historic Site [LA]

Description

Fort Jesup, located in western Louisiana, was constructed in the early 19th century in order to provide protection on the western edge of the United States. Throughout its military life, the fort presided over the furthest western reaches of the United States of America, which terminated at the Sabine river, which forms the modern-day border between Texas and Louisiana. In addition to providing protection, the garrison provided many other crucial functions, such as road construction, surveying, and treaty negotiation. The fort was designated a national historic landmark in 1961.

The site offers basic historical information, a list of nearby attractions along with links to the attractions, and visitor information.

Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace Foundation [CA]

Description

The Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace Foundation serves three main functions. First, the Foundation aids in the operation of the presidential library for Richard Nixon. As such, the library offers an enormous amount of documents and information about the Nixon presidency, including all primary sources relevant to the administration. For research access and information, visit http://www.nixonlibrary.gov/, the official website of the Nixon Library. Secondly, the site serves as a historic house museum, and gives visitors a view of Richard Nixon aside from his presidency. Finally, the Foundation helps to raise interest and scholarship in the Nixon presidency by hosting events at the Nixon Library throughout the year.

The site offers an events calendar, a very short virtual tour of the museum, links to the the Nixon presidential library, an event planner, and limited information about current exhibits.

Coronado Historical Association Museum of History & Art

Description

Coronado Island in the Bay of San Diego has a rich and storied history dating back to early Spanish explorers in the new world. The island was first surveyed in the early 17th century, but was not settled until 1846, when Mexico, newly independent from Spain, gave land grants to prospective settlers for Coronado Island. The Island then became a popular resort destination in the late 19th century, when the Hotel Del Coronado was built. Now, the southern portion of the island is owned by the United States Navy, and the northern part of the island is a popular suburb of San Diego. The Coronado museum gives visitors a taste of this rich history as well as art produced by local San Diego area artists.

The site offers visitor information, information about current, past, and upcoming exhibits, information on the art galleries currently available, an online store, and an events calendar.

Brunswick Town / Fort Anderson [NC]

Description

A major pre-Revolutionary port on North Carolina's Cape Fear River, Brunswick was razed by British troops in 1776 and never rebuilt. During the Civil War, Fort Anderson was constructed atop the old village site, and served as part of the Cape Fear River defenses below Wilmington before the fall of the Confederacy. Colonial foundations dot the present-day tour trail, which crosses the earthworks of the Confederate fort.

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

Historic Washington State Park [AR]

Description

Historic Washington is a restored 19th-century town with 45 historic structures. Classic examples of Southern Greek Revival, Federal, Gothic Revival, and Italianate architecture stand as a legacy to life in Washington from 1824 to 1889. From its establishment in 1824, Washington was an important stop on the rugged Southwest Trail to Mexico, and later, Texas. James Bowie, Sam Houston, and Davy Crockett each traveled through Washington at various times. Vistiors can stroll the plank boardwalks along streets that have never been paved, and explore this tree-shaded town many call "the Colonial Williamsburg of the Southwest."

The site offers exhibits, tours, demonstrations, research library access, workshops, and educational and recreational events (including living history events).

Flag House and Star-spangled Banner Museum [MD]

Description

At the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House, visitors take part in an interactive experience in which they become part in the story of the sewing of the flag that inspired the National Anthem. They step into living history as they meet Mary Pickersgill, the spirited woman who made the flag. They learn firsthand from Mary, her family, and friends what life was like in the 19th century and take part in activities that let them experience it for themselves.

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