Fort Verde State Historic Park [AZ]

Description

The Fort Verde State Historic Park commemorates Fort Verde, which was in use between 1865 to 1891, rendering it an Indian Wars period fortification. By 1865, area settlers had demanded protection from the local Native American peoples, and the Army responded by sending volunteer units—almost entirely of Mexican heritage. A number of original structures still stand. Visitors can enter three historic living quarters (those of the commanding officer, bachelors, and the doctors and surgeons), furnished in the style of the 1880s.

The park offers exhibits, period rooms, an introductory film, and a picnic area.

Lincoln State Monument [NM]

Description

Lincoln State Monument manages most of the historical buildings in the community of Lincoln. This most widely visited state monument in New Mexico is part of a community frozen in time—the 1870s and 1880s. The monument includes 17 structures and outbuildings, 4 of which are open year-round and 2 more seasonally as museums. Most of the buildings in the community are representative of the Territorial Style of adobe architecture in the American Southwest. Lincoln is a town made famous by one of the most violent periods in New Mexico history. Today's visitors can see the Old Lincoln County Courthouse with museum exhibits that recount the details of the Lincoln County War and the historic use of the "House" as store, residence, Masonic Lodge, courthouse, and jail. Visitors walk in the footsteps of Billy the Kid, Pat Garrett, and other famous and infamous characters of the Wild West, and trace the events of 1878 through the Courthouse and the Tunstall Store, which contains displays of the original 19th-century merchandise in the original shelving and cases. They can then continue through history by visiting the Dr. Woods House, defensive torreón (tower) for the village; the San Juan Mission Church; and the Montaño store. The Anderson-Freeman Museum features historical exhibits in a timeline starting with American Indian prehistory and ending with the Lincoln County War. A 12-minute video about the Lincoln County War and the community is shown throughout the day.

The site offers a short film, exhibits, and tours.

Casa Navarro State Historic Site [TX]

Description

The half-acre Casa Navarro State Historic Site preserves the restored home of Tejano patriot José Antonio Navarro (1795–1871). Today, visitors can tour Navarro's adobe home furnished with period antiques, read copies of his writing, and discuss questions of history with informed interpreters. Casa Navarro is the only historic site in San Antonio dedicated to the interpretation of the Mexican history and heritage of Texas, as seen through the life of Navarro, a prominent San Antonio merchant, rancher, and statesman. According to the site, "Navarro served as a member of the Texas legislatures under Mexico, the Republic of Texas, and the State of Texas. Representing San Antonio Tejanos, he signed the Texas Declaration of Independence in 1836. Navarro was the first Tejano to write about the history of Texas. He was an influential political figure during the momentous 55 years when the destiny of Texas was forged, from 1810 to 1865. Navarro is best known as 'the strongest defender of the rights of his people.'"

The site offers period rooms, tours, copies of Navarro's writings, and on-site docents.

California State Military Museum

Description

The California State Military Museum is the official state military museum, under the U.S. Army. Today, the museum houses over 30,000 artifacts, a library with over 10,000 volumes, and archives. These collections include items of importance to state and national military history of all military branches, ranging in time from prior to the Spanish American War to World War II.

The museum offers exhibits, a research library, an image library with a number of online selections, and guided tours for school groups.

Pío Pico State Historic Park [CA]

Description

Pío de Jesus Pico is one of California's most remarkable historical figures. He witnessed, shaped, and influenced nearly a century of California history in the 1800s. Pío Pico was the governor of California in 1832 and again in 1846 before and during the Mexican-American War. His adobe home at "El Ranchito" has been completely restored to how it appeared in the 1880s, letting visitors experience and celebrate his life and times. The five-acre park encompasses historic gardens and the beautiful restored adobe home of Pío Pico. A bell marks the original El Camino Real, which passed directly in front of the park during Pío Pico's time. The park was once part of Pío Pico’s 9,000 acre ranch, Rancho Paso de Bartolo. Visitors can enjoy the park with picnics, bird watching, and exploring the parks features, including a 15-room adobe with interpretive displays, an horno (bread oven), a dovecote, and a children's archaeological sand box.

The park offers exhibits; tours; educational programs; and recreational and educational events, including living history events.

Banning Residence Museum [CA]

Description

The Banning Residence Museum chronicles the history and cultural context General Phineas Banning (1830-1885). General Banning is known as "The Father of the Port of Los Angeles," and is known for being one of the founders of the town of Wilmington as well as for founding the stage and shipping companies which would jump start the busy Port of Los Angeles. Banning was given the title of General after being appointed a Brigadier General of the First Brigade of the militia after he ceded land to the Union Army in order to build a fort in Wilmington.

The house museum is carefully preserved in its 19th century state, and offers visitors a snapshot of the home life of General Phineaus Banning. The website offers a first-person narrative which gives a brief biography of General Banning, an events calendar, and an online store.

Goleta Valley Historical Society and Rancho La Patera [CA]

Description

The Society manages and preserves the five-acre Rancho La Patera, including the 1873 Stow House gardens. Today, the society presents the Ranch as a historic house museum and living history site where visitors can experience rural ranch and California life in the late 1800s.

The museum offers a variety of events, visitor tours, educational programs, and tours tailored for schoolchildren. The website offers a brief history of the ranch, information about upcoming events, an events calendar, visitor information, and a section for teachers which includes a field trip guide.

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.

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.

Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park [CA]

Description

Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park is the site of a complex of buildings erected around the original Santa Cruz Mission. Part of the cluster, the Neary-Rodriguez Adobe was built in 1791 and is the last of the mission's many buildings to survive. The single-story adobe has been restored to its original appearance. Misión la Exaltacion de la Santa Cruz was the 12th mission built in California. It was completed during the 1790s. Damaged by several earthquakes, it collapsed in 1857.

The park offers exhibits; tours; and occasional educational and recreational events, including living history events.