Drake Well Museum [PA]

Description

The Drake Well Museum memorializes the site where, in 1859, Edwin L. Drake drilled the oil well that launched the modern petroleum industry. The Museum tells the story of the beginning of the modern oil industry with orientation videos, exhibits, operating oil field machinery, and historic buildings in a park setting.

The museum offers short films, exhibits, tours, educational programs, and research library access.

Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum [PA]

Description

Landis Valley Museum, a living history village and farm, collects, preserves, and interprets the history and material culture of the Pennsylvania German rural community from 1740 to 1940 and enhances understanding of their successful practices, interactions with others, and the impact on the state and nation for citizens of and visitors to the Commonwealth. Visitors experience 18th- and 19th-century village and farm life in Lancaster County, PA, all in one visit. With over 100 acres and many historic buildings to explore throughout the four seasons, there is always something to see at Landis Valley Museum.

The site offers exhibits, tours, demonstrations, educational programs that meet PA state curriculum standards, lectures, workshops, and recreational and educational events (including living history events).

Berlin Area Historical Society

Description

The Berlin Area Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the history and genealogy of Berlin, Pennsylvania, and the surrounding area. Currently, the society maintains a genealogy building, a records building/museum, and two faithfully restored buildings, the Heritage Haus and Glade One-Room Schoolhouse.

The site offers information about the society as well as upcoming events.

Anacostia Museum and Center for African-American History and Culture [DC]

Description

As the Smithsonian Institution's museum of African-American history and culture, the Museum explores American history, society, and creative expression from an African-American perspective. The museum encourages the collection, protection, and preservation of materials that reflect the history and traditions of families, organizations, individuals, and communities.

The museum offers exhibits, tours, educational programs, and recreational and educational events.

Century House Historical Society and the Snyder Estate [NY]

Description

The Century House Historical Society preserves the industrial history of the Rosendale natural cement region, operating from the Snyder Estate. The estate began in the early 1800s as a family farm. With the local discovery of natural cement, the site experienced substantial industrial growth until the 1970s.

The society and the estate offer exhibits, tours, and occasional educational and recreational events.

Arthurdale Heritage and New Deal Homestead Museum [WV]

Description

Visitors to Arthurdale, WV can revisit the 1930s. Established in 1933, by the United States government, Arthurdale is the nation's first New Deal Homestead Community. Created through President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal legislation, the community provided a new chance at life for residents of West Virginia who were suffering from the Great Depression. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt served as the empathetic force behind the community, which became known as "Eleanor’s Little Village" because of her interest. Today, Arthurdale is a National Historic District that features 160 of the 165 original homesteads. The New Deal Homestead Museum is a multi-building museum comprised of a forge filled with original tools, a service station reminiscent of a bygone era, the historic Center Hall, the original federal government administration building, and a fully restored Arthurdale homestead.

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

Asa Packer Mansion Museum [PA]

Description

The Mansion was the home of philanthropist, railroad magnate, and founder of Lehigh University, Asa Packer. Built in 1861 by Philadelphia architect, Samuel Sloan, the home was constructed over a span of two years and cost a total of $14,000 dollars, the equivalent of $2.3 million dollars today. Topped by a red-ribbed tin roof and a central cupola or belvedere, the home was built over a cast-iron frame and consists of three stories, 18 rooms and approximately 11,000 square feet of living space.

The museum offers tours and occasional recreational and educational events.

Austerlitz Historical Society and Old Austerlitz Historical Village [NY]

Description

The Society operates the Old Austerlitz Historical Village where artifacts, photos, and memorabilia relating to the town are displayed in a collection of 18th and 19th century buildings. These buildings include an 1818 one-room schoolhouse, an 1850s church, a blacksmith's, the 1770 Sauers-Kellogg House, a granary, the Morey-Deveraux House, and the 1830s Varney House.

The society offers occasional recreational and educational events; the village offers tours.

Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities and Museum Gallery [NY]

Description

The Society operates a gallery for changing local history exhibits, as well as six historical sites throughout Long Island. These six sites are listed separately in the NHEC's Historical Site database.

The society and its gallery offer exhibits, educational programs, and occasional recreational and educational events.

Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission

Description

The PHMC is the official history agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Created in 1945, the PHMC is responsible for the collection, conservation, and interpretation of Pennsylvania's historic heritage, which is accomplished through the Pennsylvania State Archives, the State Museum of Pennsylvania, the Bureau of Historic Sites and Museums, the Pennsylvania Trails of History, the Bureau for Historic Preservation, and the Bureau of Management Services.

The site offers a wealth of information for researches, including library access, geneology records, land records, and databases of historical landmarks and such.