Kosciusko County Historical Society and Museums [IN]

Description

The Kosciusko County Historical Society offers a glimpse into Indiana's past with several renovated historical buildings to visit. Visitors can tour the 1870 county jail museum, the 1838 Pound Store museum, and visit the 1897 Tippecanoe River Bridge (now closed to traffic).

The society offers exhibits and a library where students and teachers may look up information about Kosciusko County and its residents' genealogical records.

Baxter County, Arkansas, Historical and Genealogical Society

Description

The Baxter County, Arkansas, Historical and Genealogical Society preserves and shares the history of Baxter County, Arkansas. To this end, the society operates an archive. Collections include school records, military uniforms, photographs, railroad artifacts, Native American artifacts, historical hospital equipment, court records, genealogical records, and store records.

The society offers archival access.

Kennebunkport Historical Society, Kennebunkport History Center, and the Nott House [ME]

Description

The Kennebunkport Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Kennebunkport, Maine. To this end, the society operates the Nott House and the Kennebunkport History Center. The Nott House is a Greek Revival historic home museum which primarily interprets Victorian life in the busy maritime center of Kennebunkport, Maine. However, the carpet, wallpaper, furniture, and other artifacts are all original to the home; and, as such, the site displays styles ranging from those of the late 18th century to circa 1950. The grounds hold the restored gardens. The Kennebunkport History Center consists of the Pasco Exhibit Center, which presents local history exhibits; Town House School, holding the society research center; Clark's Shipwright Office, covering Kennebunkport's maritime history; Old Jail Cells; and Benson Blacksmith Shop.

The Nott House offers period rooms, guided tours, and gardens. The Kennebunkport History Center offers exhibits, library access, research assistance, demonstrations, and activities. The society offers one-hour guided architectural walking tours and self-guided walking tours. Payment of an hourly fee is required to use the library. Reservations are appreciated for group visits to the Nott House and the Kennebunkport History Center. The jail cells and shipwright office are only open by appointment.

Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center

Description

The Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center presents Japanese American history and culture. Exhibit topics include historic life in Oregon and in Portland's Nihonmachi or "Japantown," the results of Executive Order 9066, Issei immigration, and modern life. The 1942 Executive Order 9066 legalized the internment of thousands of individuals of Japanese descent, also known as Nikkei. Many of those affected were second or third generation Japanese Americans. The term Issei refers to the first generation of Japanese in the U.S. The center's research library includes a collection of oral histories.

The center offers exhibits, outreach speakers, outreach presentations for schools, research library access, and research assistance. School outreach topics include Japanese internment, life in Nihonmachi and ethnic intolerance, and Japanese immigration to Oregon. The website offers virtual exhibits.

California Law Enforcement Historical Society

Description

The California Law Enforcement Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of law enforcement officers in California. To this end, the society operates a mobile history museum. The museum addresses the years between 1850, when California officially became a state, to present day. Collection highlights include historic patches and badges.

The society offers exhibits.

Courthouse Square Association [MI]

Description

The Courthouse Square Association seeks to preserve and share the history of Eaton County, Michigan. To this end, the society operates a local history museum which is located within the 1885 Greek Revival Eaton County Courthouse. Exhibits include the judge's chambers, law library, circuit courtroom, town histories, a Victorian parlor, military artifacts, a one-room school, a 19th-century doctor's office, Native American artifacts, and a 20th-century farm kitchen. Collections include more than 13,000 artifacts.

The museum offers exhibits and period rooms. School and tour groups are asked to make reservations.

Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park [AZ]

Description

The Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park preserves Arizona Territory's first prison, in use between 1876 and 1909. Visitors can see the solitary chamber and original strap iron holding cells. The site presents information on the prison itself, the prison lifestyle, and a selection of the 3,069 prisoners to have been housed there. The most common crime represented within the prison body was grand larceny. The site offered prisoners a library, an electrically powered ventilation system, and electric lighting.

The site offers exhibits, interpretive signs, junior ranger activities, and a picnic area.

McFarland State Historic Park [AZ]

Description

McFarland State Historic Park contains an 1878 courthouse, which displays the transition between Sonoran and Anglo-American architecture. Between 1891 and 1938, the structure was used as a county hospital. The site also served as a jail in the late 1800s. The site interprets Arizona Territory history and law enforcement.

The park offers exhibits, period rooms, guided walking tours of the Florence historic district, archival access, courtroom talks for students, guided building tours for students, and picnic areas.

The park is currently closed while exhibits are being changed.

Los Angeles Police Historical Society and Museum [CA]

Description

The Los Angeles Police Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of the Los Angeles Police Department. To this end, the society operates a museum, which displays historic police vehicles, uniforms, and weaponry, among other artifacts.

The society offers exhibits and research assistance. Research assistance requires payment of an hourly fee.

Research assistance is currently limited, as a result of staffing cut-backs.

Berrien County Historical Association and The History Center at Courthouse Square [MI]

Description

The Berrien County Historical Association seeks to preserve and share the history of Berrien County, Michigan, founded in 1831. To this end, the society operates The History Center at Courthouse Square. Sights include the 1839 Court House, complete with reproduction furnishings and local history exhibits; two reconstructed jail cells; the circa 1830 Murdock Log House, also stocked with period furnishings; and Bennett's Forge, a working blacksmith shop.

The association offers exhibits, tours, student tours, a mock trial educational program for students, living history outreach programs for schools, lectures, and archives access. Please call ahead to schedule use of the archives, plan school visits, or request outreach programming. Outreach program options include talks by a Civil War soldier or French voyageur.