James Madison's Montpelier [VA]

Description

The Montpelier Foundation's primary mission is to present the lasting legacy of James Madison (1751–1836) as Father of the U.S. Constitution, architect of the Bill of Rights, and fourth president of the United States. The Montpelier estate, home of Madison for the majority of his life, features the Madison mansion, historic buildings, gardens, forests, a freedman's cabin and farm, and the site of a Civil War encampment.

The Montpelier Foundation offers exhibits, an archaeological lab and sites, hands-on activities, an introductory film, guided tours of the Madison mansion, self-guided landscape tours, a variety of other thematic guided tours, limited transportation grants, and educational programming with suggested grade levels (including in-class outreach presentations).

Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History [MI]

Description

The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History presents the history and culture of African Americans and their points of origin within Africa. It is is the world's largest institution dedicated to the African American experience. The museum boasts over 30,000 artifacts and archives, including major Underground Railroad and Detroit labor movement collections. Permanent exhibits include a historical overview of the African American experience, an interactive alphabet exhibit, and several large–scale works of art.

The museum offers exhibits; living history tours; tours led by museum educators; self–guided tours; workshops; films; live performances; lectures; a research library; a summer teacher's institute; and a designated dining area with sandwich, fruit, and beverage vending. Reservations are required for school groups, and the museum offers pizza and soda for an additional fee. The website offers a list of Michigan educational standards which correspond to traveling and permanent exhibits; a Martin Luther King, Jr. activity book; and an Internet treasure hunt.

Mount Pulaski Courthouse

Description

Mount Pulaski Courthouse was built in 1848 and served as the Logan County seat of government until 1855. Attorney Abraham Lincoln regularly argued cases in the second-floor courtroom, helping to establish his reputation as both an accomplished practitioner of the law and a gifted speaker.

The site offers tours and occasional educational and recreational events.

Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices

Description

The Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices are within the only remaining building in which Abraham Lincoln maintained a law office. The site consists of the surviving portion of a three-story brick commercial block constructed in 1840–41. The restored building's first-floor visitor center consists of an exhibit gallery and audiovisual theater, along with a room interpreted as an 1840s post office facility. On the second floor are rooms representing those used by the federal court, and on the third floor a "common room" and three lawyers' offices. Two of the offices were used by Lincoln and his partners, prominent local attorneys Herndon and Stephen T. Logan. The recreated offices are notable for the plainness and disorder that were remembered by Lincoln associates.

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

Westmoreland County Historical Society [PA]

Description

The Westmoreland County Historical Society is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history of Westmoreland, PA. The society offers periodic tours of historical sites in the area and operates the historic Hanna's Town. The village consists of the reconstructed Hanna Tavern/Courthouse and three vintage late 18th century log houses, a reconstructed Revolutionary era fort and blockhouse, and a wagon shed that houses an authentic late 18th century wagon.

Hanna's Town offers school tours, interpretive activities, and a variety of special events including summer camps for schoolchildren, colonial court days, and antique shows. The website offers visitor information, a brief history of Westmoreland County and a calendar of events.

Park City Historical Society and Museum [UT]

Description

The Park City Historic Society & Museum is dedicated to preserving and presenting the history of Park City, UT. Today, Park City is most widely known for its unparalleled winter sports attractions; but Park City also has a deep and intriguing history, represented in exhibits, from early silver mining and western-bound stagecoaches to hosting a territorial jail.

The museum offers exhibits. The site offers an events calendar, historical features, visitor information, and in-depth information regarding current exhibits.

The museum is currently closed for restoration.

Buchanan's Birthplace State Park [PA]

Description

Buchanan's Birthplace State Park is located in the gap of Tuscarora Mountain. The park is dedicated in the honor of our nation's 15th president, James Buchanan (in office 1857-1861). Currently a stone pyramid stands on the site of the original cabin where Buchanan was born in 1791. Visitors to the park can take in the majesty of the pyramid and enjoy a variety of outdoor activities in the 18.5 acre park.

The site offers visitor information regarding the park and historical information about James Buchanan and his presidency.

Monterey History and Art Association and Museum [CA]

Description

The Monterey History and Art Association is dedicated to preserving the history of Monterey, CA. To this end, the association has two main projects, preserving historic homes and structures in Monterey and operating the Monterey Maritime and History Museum. The museum opened in 1971 and today holds almost 6000 artifacts and 50,000 photographs and papers. The association also releases a quarterly newsletter, "The Beacon."

The site offers visitor information regarding the museum, an events calendar, historical and visitor information regarding the historic buildings owned by the association, .pdf files of recent newsletters, and information about educational programs and tours offered by the association.