Delaware Canal State Park [PA]

Description

The Delaware Canal State Park preserves the Delaware Canal. Completed in 1832, the canal was used to transport coal to Philadelphia, New York, and the eastern seaboard.

The park offers hands-on activities; guided walks; guided bicycle tours; guided digital photography hikes; outreach programs; educational programs on the watershed, the environment, and history; mule-powered barge rides; continuing professional education workshops; curriculum development assistance; and trails. The park does not rent bicycles for the tour programs. The website offers a watershed and land use curriculum.

FASNY Museum of Firefighting [NY]

Description

The FASNY Museum of Firefighting presents more than 300 years of firefighting history. Collections include fire engines and pumpers dating as far back as 1731, memorabilia, and historic firefighting gear and equipment.

The museum offers a children's fire safety activity area, educational programs, hands-on fire trucks, guided tours, self-guided tours, science and safety outreach programs, and a picnic area. Groups of 10 or more can reserve a guided tour and/or use of the picnic site. At least two weeks advance notice is required. Programming can prevent public access to the entirety of the museum. Please call the museum to inquire after which areas will be unavailable on given days.

Historic Speedwell [NJ]

Description

Historic Speedwell presents mid-19th-century life through the estate of Stephen Vail (1780-1864), proprietor of Speedwell Iron Works. The site highlight is the factory building where Alfred Vail (1807-1859) and Samuel F.B. Morse (1791-1872) completed and publicly demonstrated the electromagnetic telegraph in 1838. Other structures include an operational waterwheel; the Vail Home, furnished to an 1844 to 1864 appearance; 1849 carriage house; several residences; and a historic granary.

The site offers period rooms; traditional and interactive exhibits; guided tours of the factory building, Vail home, and Wheelhouse; hands-on workshops; Scout programs; and educational programs.

Fort Mott State Park [NJ]

Description

Fort Mott was part of a coastal defense system designed for the Delaware River in the late 1800s. The fortifications seen today at Fort Mott were erected in 1896 in anticipation of the Spanish-American War.

The site offers tours, educational programs, and occasional recreational and educational events.

National Soaring Museum [NY]

Description

The National Soaring Museum presents the history of non-motorized flight. It is one of two museums worldwide to focus on the subject. The museum collections include more than 80 sailplanes, dating to as early as the 1890s.

The museum offers exhibits, flight simulators, guided tours, self-guided tours, an educational overnight program, and a day camp. Reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance for group tours. Group guided tours are only available for groups of 20 or more.

Boscobel [NY]

Description

Boscobel is a historic Federal neoclassical-style home, built in 1808 for States Morris Dyckman (1755-1806) and his family. The interior contains period furnishings and decorative arts, as well as an art exhibition gallery. Collection highlights include a painting by Benjamin West (1738-1820), renowned artist of historical scenes. The visitor's center presents the home's restoration. During the Revolutionary War, Dyckman was a clerk for the British Army's Quartermaster Department.

The house offers guided tours of the interior, guided tours with a tea or luncheon, educational programs in accordance with state educational standards, and picnic areas. The website offers video tours and an online collections catalog.

Little Buffalo State Park [PA]

Description

Little Buffalo State Park contains an operating gristmill, a historic covered bridge, a historic farmhouse, a narrow gauge railroad trace, and a historic railroad car.

The site offers environmental education programs, hands-on activities, guided walks, campfire programs, teacher workshops, outdoor activities, and picnic sites. Reservations are required for group visits. Please do not bring firewood into the park. This is to avoid introduction of invasive species.

Elizabeth Township Historical Society and Coates House [PA]

Description

The Elizabeth Township Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of the communities within a 35-mile radius of Elizabeth Township, PA. The society operates and maintains two cemeteries and the Coates House, which contains the society's administrative offices, a museum, and the Golda B. Abraham Memorial Library.

The society offers exhibits and research assistance. Research assistance requires payment.

Institute of History, Archaeology and Education [NY]

Description

The Institute of History, Archaeology and Education presents world cultural history, with a particular focus on the development of kindergarten through twelfth grade history and archaeology curriculum. Subjects include ancient civilizations, Biblical archaeology, and U.S. history.

The institute offers professional development hostels for educators, as well as a wide variety of public lectures.