Freetown Village [IN]

Description

Freetown Village presents the history and culture of the approximately 3,000 free African Americans known to have been living in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1870. The content focus is on the Fourth Ward, which is Indianapolis' oldest African American settlement.

The village offers a summer camp for five through 14 year old children, interactive plays, spiritual music performances, and hands-on children's workshops. With the exception of the summer camp, all programs are available as outreach programming in Indiana and nearby states.

Mansfield Fire Museum and Educational Center [OH]

Description

The Mansfield Fire Museum and Educational Center presents fire service history. A reproduction circa 1900 fire station can be found on site. Collections include the area's original fire alarm bell, which fell out of use in 1925 and is said to have been rung to celebrate the defeat of the Japanese in World War Two on V-J Day, 1945.

The center offers exhibits, period rooms, and safety demonstrations.

Anoka County History Center and Library [MN]

Description

The Anoka County Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Anoka County, Minnesota. To this end, the society operates a research center with more than 750 books and thousands of archival documents; and boasts ownership of more than 47,000 cataloged items.

The society offers exhibits, living history outreach programs, traveling trunks for rental, downtown walking ghost tours, library access, and research assistance. A fee is charged for research assistance. Reservations are required for outreach programs and ghost tours. The website links to the society's monthly history television program, which can be viewed online.

American Swedish Institute [MN]

Description

The American Swedish Institute is a historic house museum, cultural center, and history and culture museum dedicated to the history, culture, and accomplishments of Swedish Americans. The institute is located within an early-20th century chateauesque mansion. Exhibit topics include immigration, craft traditions, homeland nostalgia, historical Swedish populations in Minneapolis and St. Paul, and Swedish-American vaudeville.

The institute offers period rooms; exhibits; group tours; children's language and culture classes; summer day camps; a Lucia choir; customizable school tours; student educational programs; and student outreach programs, including role-playing, living history, and storytelling presentations. Reservations are required for group tours and all student programs.

Bayfield Heritage Association and Heritage Center [WI]

Description

The Bayfield Heritage Association seeks to preserve and share the history of Bayfield and the Apostle Islands region, Wisconsin. To this end, the association operates the Bayfield Heritage Association Heritage Center. Key topics include settlement, logging, brownstone quarries, agriculture, fishing, tourism, and transportation.

The center offers exhibits, a period barbershop, tours, educational programs, and seminars. Upon request, the center will play filmed oral history interviews in which residents discuss when and how their families came to the area.

Buel House State Historic Site

Description

Buel House, according to local tradition, was a significant site on the Cherokee Trail of Tears. The family of tanner Alexander Buel was said to have fed pumpkin to hungry Cherokee Indians being driven west by the federal government in 1838. The story is probably not true, however, since records indicate that the house was built in 1840. Still, it is a historically significant structure, having been continuously occupied by generations of one family for 146 years. There are indications that over the years Cherokee stopped at Golconda to trade while journeying to visit their former homes in Georgia. The Buel House, along with much of Golconda, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976, as part of the Golconda Historic District. Situated at the base of the Ohio River bluffs, the two-story rectangular square-log structure has one-story additions on the east and north sides of the original building. Also on the site is a restored and furnished log cabin used for interpretive programs by the Pope County Historical Society.

The site offers tours and occasional recreational and educational programs.

Kingdom of Callaway Historical Society and Museum [MO]

Description

The Kingdom of Callaway Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the historical heritage of Callaway County, which is located in central Missouri. The society maintains a small museum of local history in the society headquarters, which is located in downtown Fulton, MO.

The society offers exhibits, guided tours of the museum, research resources, and walking tours of Callaway communities. The website offers visitor information, a history of the Kingdom of Callaway, and histories of all major Callaway communities.

Monroe County Historical Society and Museum [IN]

Description

The Monroe County Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the history of Monroe County, IN. The society is headquartered in the Monroe County History Center, which is located in downtown Bloomington. The history center is also home to the society's historical archives and a museum of local history.

The society offers research resources, field trip programs, guided tours, periodic presentations, and exhibits. The website offers visitor information, a history of Monroe County, and an events calendar.

Vachel Lindsay Home

Description

This antebellum site is the birthplace and longtime home of poet (Nicholas) Vachel Lindsay. Lindsay was internationally known in the early 20th century for his poetry, the artwork he created to illustrate the poetry, and his animated performances of his work.

The site offers tours.

Oconto County Historical Society [WI]

Description

The Oconto County Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the historical heritage of Oconto County and the surrounding area. The society maintains three historic buildings, the Beyer Home Museum, a mansion on the National Register of Historic Places, the George E. Hall Annex which serves as a local history museum, and an urban barn which is open for tours during the summer months. The society has also recently assumed control of the First Church of Christ, which is also open for tours during the summer months.

The society offers exhibits, guided tours, and special events including lectures and community events. The website offers visitor information, a timeline of Oconto County history, and a calendar of events.