Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial [OH]

Description

The Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial commemorates the long-standing peace among Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom, as well as Master Commandant Oliver Hazard Perry's victory in the War of 1812's Battle of Lake Erie. The battle occurred September 10, 1813; and ensured that both Ohio and Michigan would remain under the control of the United States. Six officers killed during the battle—three American and three British—are interred on site.

The memorial offers an observation deck, talks, and musket and carronade firing demonstrations. Talks are offered between mid-June and August, and the demonstrations take place on weekends.

Keweenaw National Historical Park [MI]

Description

Keweenaw National Historical Park presents the history of mining Keweenaw copper reserves between 7,000 years ago and the 1900s. Long used by the Native American populations such as the Ojibwa to create tools and beads, the copper mines were targeted by immigrants in the mineral rushes of the 1800s.

The park offers an information desk, outdoor activities, 90-minute guided Junior Ranger programs, 90-minute guided Calumet walking tours, 90-minute guided walking tours of the Quincy Copper Mining Company surface ruins, self-guided tours, monthly history presentations, and archival access. Appointments are required for archival access, and the historic building housing the archives is not wheelchair accessible. The website offers a mining timeline and a 45-minute PowerPoint park overview, available to educators upon request.

The park includes 19 sub-sites managed by partner organizations. Most activities are offered by these organizations, rather than by the National Park Service. The sub-sites are the Adventure Mining Company, A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum, Calumet Theatre, Chassell Heritage Center, Copper Range Historical Museum, Coppertown Mining Museum, Delaware Copper Mine, Finnish American Heritage Center and Historical Archive, Fort Wilkins Historic State Park, Hanka Homestead Museum, Houghton County Historical Museum, Keweenaw County Historical Society, Keweenaw Heritage Center at St. Anne's, Laurium Manor Mansion Tours, Old Victoria, Ontonagon County Historical Society, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, Quincy Mine and Hoist, and Upper Peninsula Fire Fighters Memorial Museum.

Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site [ND]

Description

The Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site is a living history site dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history of the Indian residents of the northern plains. The National Historic Site consists of several carefully reconstructed Indian villages, where visitors can step back in time and view the life of Indians on the upper Missouri River.

The historic site offers guided tours, interpretive events, and re-enactments. The website offers a history of the historic site, information about local Indian tribes, visitor information, and a curriculum guide for teachers. In order to contact the website via email, use the "contact us" link located on the left side of the webpage.

Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park [OH]

Description

The Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park celebrates the history and accomplishments of Wilber Wright (1867-1912), Orville Wright (1871-1948), and Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906). Other topics addressed include changes in Air Force aviation technology. Sights include two interpretive centers; the Wright brothers' printing office, styled to period; a Wright brothers' bicycle shop; the brothers' third airplane, built in 1905; the Huffman Prairie Flying Field; and Dunbar's final residence. The Wright brothers are best known for creating the world's first successful airplane, while Dunbar was an African American poet celebrated for his 1896 poem "Lyrics of a Lowly Life."

The park offers two introductory films; exhibits; period rooms; guided tours of the Wright Cycle Company building, Wright-Dunbar Village, and the Huffman Prairie Flying Field; guided bicycle tours; children's programs; curriculum-based educational programs; and Junior Ranger activities. Tours of the Wright Cycle Company building are available on request only, and reservations are required for groups. Reservations are required for all school programs. The website offers an interactive timeline.

William Howard Taft National Historic Site [OH]

Description

The William Howard Taft National Historic Site contains the house in which Taft (1857-1930), 27th President of the United States and 10th Chief Justice, was born and raised. Taft's term (1908-1912) is remembered for trust-busting, promotion of the 16th Amendment, and global economic development efforts. The first floor of the Greek Revival structure houses period rooms, while the second floor is devoted to exhibits. Topics include both Taft himself and his family.

The site offers guided tours of the William Howard Taft Birth Home, exhibits, period rooms, ranger-led field trips, and Junior Ranger activities. The website offers lesson plans.

Effigy Mounds National Monument [IA]

Description

The 2,526-acre Effigy Mounds National Monument site preserves 206 mounds erected by Native Americans at least one millennium ago. Thirty-one of these mounds take the shape of birds and bears. They are believed to be memorials to specific individuals, created after a death; many of the mounds also serve as grave sites. Exhibits display ancient Native American artifacts.

The monument offers a 15-minute introductory film, exhibits, museum tours, a children's tactile exhibit area, self-guided hikes, guided walks, guided hikes, talks, children's activities, Junior Ranger activities, atlatl demonstrations, and teacher workshops. There are wheelchair-accessible trails, although options are limited. The website offers a teacher's guide.

George Rogers Clark National Historical Park [IN]

Description

The George Rogers Clark National Historical Park commemorates the surrender of British forces at Fort Sackville to Colonel George Rogers Clark on February 25, 1779. The events of that day cemented U.S. ownership of the frontier, nearly doubling the size of the country. The site provides information on 18th-century pioneer life, Fort Sackville, Clark's campaign, area cultures of the period, and the Northwest Territory. A memorial to Clark exists within park grounds.

The park offers a 30-minute introductory film, six-minute audio program within the memorial, costumed living history programs, Junior Ranger activities, and a picnic area. Group reservations are appreciated. Living history programs can often be made available for groups with advance notice.

The George Rogers Clark Memorial is currently closed for restoration.

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site [IA]

Description

The Herbert Hoover National Historic Site consists of the cottage in which Hoover was born; the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum; the graves of Hoover and his wife, Lou Henry Hoover; 81-acres of tallgrass prairie; and sites from the period in which Hoover lived in the area. Hoover (1874-1964), lived in West Branch for the first nine years of his life. An orphan, he would eventually become the 31st President of the United States. The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum has a separate listing within this database.

The site offers a 12-minute introductory film; exhibits on Hoover's childhood, life, and U.S. history; approximately 3-hour and 45-minute guided field trips; self-guided field trips; guided tours of the Birthplace Cottage, Blacksmith Shop, 1853 Schoolhouse, and the Friends Meeting House where Hoover's parents worshiped; self-guided tours; period rooms; blacksmithing demonstrations; 1.7 miles of trails; guided prairie walks; Junior Ranger activities; research library access; an educator program; and picnic shelters. Wheelchairs are available for use on site. Reservations are required for educational field trips. The website offers a virtual tour, pre-visit orientation video, pre- and post-visit activity suggestions, curriculum guides, a lesson plan, and activities for the prairie walk.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial [SD]

Description

The Mount Rushmore National Memorial commemorates the famous sculpture at the top of Mount Rushmore, located in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

The memorial offers ranger-led tours, self-guided tours, trails, a visitor center with displays and exhibits regarding the presidents and the creation of the sculpture, workshops, and outreach programs for local schools. The website offers visitor information, a history of the memorial, resources for teachers including lesson plans and curriculum guides, and information regarding upcoming events. In order to contact the memorial via email, use the "contact us" link located on the left side of the webpage.