Union Pacific Railroad Museum [IA]

Description

The Union Pacific Railroad Museum houses one of the oldest corporate collections in the nation. It includes artifacts, photographs, and documents that trace the development of the railroad and the American West. The Union Pacific Collection dates to the mid-1800s, featuring original editions of reports from survey teams that searched for the best land route to join the nation, east to west. Surveying equipment, early rail equipment, and artifacts from the construction of the nation's first transcontinental railroad tell the story of one of the world's construction marvels.

The site offers exhibits.

Fort Randall Military Post

Description

The Fort Randall Military Post, named for Colonel Daniel Randall, served many functions from the time it was built in 1856 until the fort was abandoned in 1892. During that time, the post provided military protection to settlements along the Missouri River, escorted many wagon trains and survey parties, and served as the central military supply depot for the area. Today, all that remains of the fort buildings that housed approximately 500 men are several foundations which have been excavated, the Fort Randall Post Cemetery, and the Fort Randall Chapel. A self-interpretive trail leads visitors around the site. The Fort Randall Visitor Center tells the history of the fort and its occupants.

The site offers exhibits.

Historic New Harmony State Historic Site

Description

New Harmony, IN, located on the banks of the Wabash River, preserves the history of a community that began almost 200 years ahead of its time, evolving from a spiritual sanctuary into a haven for international scientists, scholars, and educators who sought equality in communal living.

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

Abraham Lincoln Historical Digitization Project

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Image for Abraham Lincoln Historical Digitization Project
Annotation

This wealth of historical materials, in a variety of formats, addresses Abraham Lincoln's years in Illinois (1831–1860) and Illinois history during the same period. The website provides more than 2,300 transcriptions of documents, including correspondence, speeches, treaties, and other official papers. In addition, there are 295 images of Lincoln, his family, friends, associates, and contemporaries, as well as Illinois towns, homes, and businesses, and 63 recordings of songs.

Materials are organized into eight thematic sections: African American Experience and American Racial Attitudes; Economic Development and Labor; Frontier Settlement; Law and Society; Native American Relations; Politics; Religion and Culture; and Women's Experience and Gender Roles. Each theme includes a background essay, relevant documents and images, video discussions by prominent historians, and narrated slide shows. "Lincoln's Biography" divides his life into eight segments with a summary and biographical text by scholars, as well as a bibliography.

Characteristics of Census Tracts in Nine U.S. Cities, 1940-1960

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Logo, Data & Information Services Center
Annotation

A 28-page study, including charts, of 1960 census data compiled according to residence areas, or "tracts," within the cities of Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Newark, New Orleans, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh. Also provides census data for 1940 and 1950 with regard to Chicago and Detroit. Offers raw data and percentage computations on total population of tracts, number of males and females, African-American ethnicity, foreign origin, age, marital status, income level, education, units of substandard housing, rent amounts, employment figures, and salary levels. Also provides medical-related data, such as numbers of hospitals, hospital beds, pharmacists, and types of physicians in each tract. Of use for those studying mid-20th-century urban history. See "History Matters" entry Data and Program Library Service: Online Data Archive for information on other social science studies available at this site.

Afton Historical Society Museum [MN]

Description

The Afton Historical Society Museum presents the history of Afton, Minnesota, originally settled for its proximity to French fur traders. Located within the 1868 Congregational Church, the museum holds vernacular artifacts, military artifacts, costumes, historic toys and games, photographs, and other items.

The museum offers exhibits and vintage loom demonstrations. The website offers brochures for self-guided area walking tours.

McDonald's #1 Store Museum

Description

The Museum is a recreation of the first McDonald's Restaurant opened in Des Plaines, IL, by McDonald's Corporation founder, Ray Kroc, on April 15, 1955. The customer service and food preparation areas contain original equipment used in the days when fresh potatoes were peeled, sliced, blanched and fried; milkshake mix and syrup were whipped up on the Multi-mixers; Coca-Cola and root beer were drawn from a barrel, and orangeade from the orange bowl. The all-male crew is represented by mannequins dressed in the 1955 uniform—dark trousers, white shirts, aprons, and paper hats. The basement features a historical display of photos, memos, early advertising, memorabilia, and a short video presentation.

The museum offers exhibits and a short film.

Early American Museum [IL]

Description

The Museum collects, preserves, and interprets the history of East Central Illinois, specifically Champaign County, for the education and enjoyment of present and future generations.

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

Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home and Museum [MO]

Description

The Laura Ingalls Wilder Home and Museum exhibits include artifacts spanning over a century of the pioneer history described in the Little House books. The books, written by Laura Ingalls Wilder (1867-1957), chronicle the author's life in a pioneer family. The life, writings, and career of Rose Wilder Lane (1886-1968), Laura's daughter, are also featured in a section of the museum. Recreations of rooms from Rose's homes, her desks, her manuscripts, and souvenirs from her world travels are also displayed. The museum is located at Rocky Ridge Farm, where Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote her famous novels.

The museum offers period rooms and exhibits. The website offers word finds, book quizzes, and coloring pages.