Enon Community Historical Society and Log House [OH]

Description

The Enon Community Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Enon and Mad River Township, OH. To this end, the society operates a log home, built prior to 1851. The home is furnished to depict early 19th-century life in rural Ohio. The collection highlight is a Wheeler Wilson sewing machine, dating to between 1850 and 1861.

The society offers log house tours and research library access. Tours are offered as special events and by appointment.

Old House Guild and Cooke House [OH]

Description

The Guild manages this site for the Ohio Historical Society. Formerly the home of Eleutherus Cooke, this 1840s stone-and-brick home was moved to its current location in 1874. Sandusky's first lawyer, Cooke was also a politician serving in the Ohio Legislature and U.S. Congress. The home is restored to its 1950s appearance, but contains several interesting pieces of antique furniture from the 19th century. Exhibits on the history of the house are in the basement.

A second website for the house, maintained by the Old House Guild, can be found here.

The site offers exhibits and tours.

Ames Florida Stork House [MN]

Description

The Ames Florida Stork House, open to visitors throughout the year, chronicles the history of three of Rockford's most prominent families, beginning in the mid-1800s.

The house currently functions as a historic house museum, and offers visitor tours, collections of 19th- and 20th-century furnishings and textiles, and a vintage clothing collection. The website offers basic visitor information, a brief history of the home, and a virtual tour.

The History Museum at the Castle [WI]

Description

Inside the walls of the History Museum, the past comes alive through the stories, photographs, and artifacts of people of the Fox Valley. The museum's mission is to inspire appreciation for the rich history of the Fox River Valley area communities through the collections, exhibits, and education at the History Museum at the Castle. Owned and operated by the Outagamie County Historical Society, the Museum holds collections representing the history of the Fox Valley dating back to 1840s.

The museum offers exhibits, performances, workshops, tours, research library access, educational programs, and other educational and recreational events. As well as Virtual Exhibits, a wide variety of curricula and lessons – all aligned to WI State Learning Standards, and a multitude of primary sources accessible online!

1904 World's Fair: Looking Back at Looking Forward

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Photo, Entrance to Creation on the Pike, Louisiana Purchase Exposition, LoC
Annotation

Marking the 100th anniversary of the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, an event designed to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase, this site documents the extensive preparation for the event that saw 20 million visitors.

Virtual Fair recreates the original layout of the fair and allows visitors to see many of the original sights and structures through 100 contemporary photographs. Artifacts allows viewers to see 32 items significant to the fair and the subsequent Olympic Games. Short, 500- to 1,000-word essays detail the enormous preparations required for hosting the fair. Educators provides some useful materials for teachers, but is designed primarily for teachers planning to bring students to the site of the exhibition.

Conner Prairie Interactive History Park

Description

Conner Prairie brings Indiana history to life with the perfect mix of education, adventure and fun! The park offers an authentic look at the 1800s through engaging, hands-on experiences. These experiences cover a variety of K–12 Indiana academic standards including social studies, language arts, science and math. The park has hundreds of scenic acres and many historic buildings. The museum is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and is committed to multi-sensory learning. Also, Conner Prairie is a proud recipient of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service, awarded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. This award recognizes institutions for outstanding social, educational, environmental or economic contributions to their communities.

The site includes several historic areas that cover a variety of themes. In 1836 Prairietown, step back in time and interact with staff portraying residents of the town. At the Conner Homestead, tour the brick house William Conner built in 1823 and visit the Loom House to find out about textile processes. Also in the Conner Homestead are opportunities to meet farm animals and try a hand at dipping candles. In the Lenape Camp, find out about Lenape (Delaware) Indian history and culture while exploring a wigwam and a trading post. The 1859 Balloon Voyage exhibit presents the story of pioneer and aeronaut John Wise and his attempted flight from Lafayette to New York. For an additional fee and weather permitting, Conner Prairie offers a flight in a tethered, helium-filled balloon that can accommodate up to 25 people and rises to around 300 feet. Inside the Welcome Center, visit Science Lab for a look at science concepts and the history behind them.

Conner Prairie's newest experience, 1863 Civil War Journey: Raid on Indiana, immerses you in the story of Confederate General John Hunt Morgan's cavalry raid on Indiana. Using theatrical wizardry, including video, sound, staging and Conner Prairie interpreters dressed in authentic period costumes, guests are asked to enlist to defend their state from the raiders. How would you react to a call to arms? Become fully engaged in this pivotal moment in Indiana history.

In addition to general park touring, Conner Prairie offers special staff-led programs and seasonal programs. Also, from November through March, Conner Prairie offers outreach programs at schools and other community organizations. Advance reservations are required for all programs including school groups booking the general self-guided tour.

Some buildings in Prairietown and Lenape Camp are not wheelchair accessible. However, in the case of non-accessible buildings, staff can come outside to interact with those unable to enter their building. A map showing which buildings are accessible is available on the website.

For more details and information, see the Conner Prairie website.

Williamson County Historical Society and Museum [IL]

Description

The Williamson County Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Williamson County, Illinois. To this end, the society operates a museum of local history, housed within the 1916 jail and sheriff's residence. Rooms are set to period appearance. Settings include domestic spaces, a garment shop, a doctor's office, a country store, and a schoolroom. A military exhibit is also located on site.

The society offers period rooms, exhibits, one-hour museum tours, research library access, and research assistance. A fee is charged for research conducted on request.

Death of the Dream: Farmhouses in the Heartland

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Photo, Midwestern Farmhouse
Annotation

This website is a companion to the one-hour Public Broadcasting System documentary Death of the Dream: Farmhouses in the Heartland, produced by Chuck Olsen of Twin Cities Public Television. The film and website were inspired by photographer and essayist William Gabler's book of the same title, and depict the first settlements, rise, flourishing, and decline of the farm houses of the midwestern prairie. The Homes on the Prairie section includes a lengthy (roughly 1500-word) narrative about the history of the settlement and rural culture that developed in the midwest, along with descriptions and 15 images of the different kinds of architecture found on the prairie. The Literary Collection category provides 13 links to poems, essays, and excerpts from novels that capture the character of the midwest farm life. Another section offers a virtual tour of a classic "L" shaped farmhouse, from the porch to the kitchen, parlor, and bedrooms. The site also contains a bibliography of five scholarly books on the midwest and rural farm life, links to seven websites on similar topics, and a bibliography of ten essays and photographic essay works about rural midwestern life. Though this site provides no primary documents, it is a good site for gathering general information on the midwest, rural life, and vernacular architecture.