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.

Litchfield Historical Society [CT]

Description

The Litchfield Historical Society offers three sites to explore: the History Museum, the Tapping Reeve House and Law School, and the Ingraham Library. The Museum displays artifacts from daily life of Litchfield County dating back to its earliest settlers. The Reeve House and Law School shows students what an authentic 19th century school house would have been like.

The site offers school groups education programs that cater to grades 3-12 and addition hands-on learning programs. Travelling trunk are available for rental to enhance a visit.

Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park [AZ]

Description

The Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park is located in the Tombstone, the seat of Cochise County. Built in 1882, the structure was designed in the Victorian style and once house the offices of the sheriff, recorder, treasurer, and board of supervisors, as well as the jail and courtrooms of Cochise County. Today, the structure serves as a museum of law enforcement in the wild west.

The courthouse offers guided tours and exhibits on law in the wild west and local history. The website offers visitor information, a calendar of events, and a history of the structure and of Tombstone.

Bayside Historical Society, Lawrence Cemetery, and Museum [NY]

Description

The Bayside Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Bayside and Queens, New York, as well as neighboring communities. To this end, the society operates a number of exhibits within the 1887 Gothic Revival Army Officer's Club. The society also maintains the Lawrence Cemetery, a family plot with burials dating between 1832 and 1939. Individuals of note interred on site include Cornelius Van Wyck Lawrence, Mayor of the New York City between 1834 and 1837; County Judge Effingham Lawrence and his Native American servant Lawrence Moccasin; and Colonel Frederick Newbold Lawrence, president of the New York Stock Exchange between 1882 and 1883.

The society offers exhibits, tours of the Officer's Club, educational programs, and archival access. Lawrence Cemetery is open by appointment only. The second floor of the Officer's Club is not wheelchair accessible. The website offers virtual exhibits.

Vincennes State Historic Sites [IN]

Description

The Vincennes State Historic Sites commemorate Indiana's early state history—with the city itself founded in 1732. Structures include the 1805 Indiana Territory capital building; a historic print shop; the birthplace of the author Maurice Thompson; an 1838 bank; Fort Knox II, hospital to the wounded of the Battle of Tippecanoe; the 1801 Jefferson Academy; and a prehistoric burial mound. Maurice Thompson (1844-1901) authored 1900's bestselling romance novel, Alice of Old Vincennes. Topics covered include slavery, military life, domestic life, historical sciences, the fur trade.

The sites offer period rooms, educational outreach programs, group tours, educational presentations, interpretive signage, educational programs, lesson plans, and summer camps.

David Davis Mansion [IL]

Description

David Davis (1815–1886) was born in Maryland and studied law in New England. In 1862 President Lincoln appointed Davis to the United States Supreme Court. In 1877 Davis resigned from the court after being elected to the United States Senate by the Illinois legislature and served as Senate president pro tempore from 1881 to 1883. Davis commissioned French-born architect Alfred Piquenard to design this late-Victorian style mansion, primarily as a residence for his wife, Sarah Davis. The three-story yellow brick home comprises 36 rooms. The large, tree-shaded lot includes an 1872 wood house, a barn and stable, privies, a foaling shed, carriage barn, and a flower and ornamental cutting garden. The circular drive to the Mansion remains as originally configured. The property was entered on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 and in 1975 was declared a National Historic Landmark.

The site offers tours, a short film, and educational and recreational events and programs.

Mansfield Reformatory [OH]

Description

The Mansfield Reformatory, built in 1886 in accordance with plans by Levi T. Scofield (1842-1917), presents the history of criminal justice in Ohio. The architecture, including Victorian Gothic, Richardsonian Romanesque, and Queen Anne styles, was intended to inspire repentance and spiritual rebirth among the criminals it housed. Prior to the construction of the prison, the site served as a training camp for Civil War soldiers. The site includes a museum.

The reformatory offers guided tours and exhibits. The website offers virtual tours and a photo gallery, which includes historical images.

Ford's Theatre and Petersen House [DC]

Description

As the site of 16th President of the United States Abraham Lincoln's assassination on April 14, 1865, Ford's Theatre presents the history of this famous historical figure. In addition to the site of the shooting, the society also operates the Petersen House, built in 1849, the site of Lincoln's death. The interior of the Petersen House recreates its appearance at that time.

The society offers tours of Ford's Theatre; one-act plays concerning Civil War and/or President Lincoln's history; period rooms; living history tours on the Lincoln Assassination Conspiracy or the story of Elizabeth Keckley, free African American and friend of the Lincolns; and professional development opportunities for educators. The website offers lesson plans and interview videos.

African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey

Description

The African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey presents the 20th century experience of the national African American community. The collection consists of over 3,000 artifacts, including artworks and decorative items, depicting African Americans.

The museum offers educational programs and a traveling museum which visits schools upon request. Call prior to visitation as the exhibit may be traveling.

Postville Courthouse

Description

Postville Courthouse is a reproduction of Logan County's first seat of government. Constructed in 1840, the original building until 1848 was one of the courts in which Abraham Lincoln argued cases while traveling the historic Eighth Judicial Circuit. The first floor has a reception and orientation room and an exhibit gallery. On the second floor are rooms representing an 1840s courtroom and a county office.

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