Limberlost State Historic Site [IN]

Description

The Limberlost State Historic Site interprets one of the homes of author, photographer, naturalist, and illustrator Gene Stratton-Porter (1863-1924). Topics covered include Stratton-Porter's life, her writings, and the swamp surrounding Limberlost. The Limberlost swamp stretches over 13,000 acres, and was known circa 1900 for its multitude of dangers—natural and human. The residence itself is an 1895 Queen Anne cabin. Today, the interior holds Victorian and Arts and Crafts period rooms. Stratton-Porter was the author of numerous popular novels and nature books, including Freckles and A Girl of the Limberlost.

The site offers period rooms, guided house tours, and hiking trails. Group tours, school tours, outreach programs, and educational materials for rental are all available with advance notice. The website offers a list of state educational standards relevant to the site.

Comstock House Historic Site [MN]

Description

The Comstock House Historic Site preserves the 1882 home of Solomon Comstock—founder of both the First National Bank and Moorhead State University and an early stakeholder in the creation of a Red River Valley railroad. The interior contains the original Queen Anne Eastlake furnishings.

The site offers period rooms and guided tours.

Mine Creek Battlefield State Historic Site

Description

On October 25, 1864, approximately 2,800 Union troops attacked and defeated about 8,000 Confederates along the banks of Mine Creek. This was one of the largest cavalry battles in the Civil War and was the only major battle fought in Kansas. The Union brigades were commanded by Colonels Frederick W. Benteen and John F. Philips. After this battle, Federal forces pursued and defeated additional Confederates in Missouri as they attempted to return to Arkansas, Indian Territory (Oklahoma), and eventually Texas. Visitors to the site can learn more about the soldiers and their stories as this dramatic story comes alive at the Mine Creek Battlefield.

The site offers exhibits, occasional living history events, tours, and occasional recreational and educational events.

Forest History Center [MN]

Description

The Forest History Center is a recreated circa 1900 logging camp, containing the camp itself, an exhibit area, a 1901 floating shack or "wanigan" used to transport logs and men to the mills, forest trails, and a 1930s Minnesota Forest Service patrolman's cabin and lookout tower. The time period portrayed at the site was the peak of white pine logging in the state of Minnesota. Exhibit highlights include a life-sized hollow "log" through which visitors can crawl, a children's corner, items made from local wood, and displays on forest conservation.

The center offers interactive exhibits on both the human and natural history of Minnesotan forests, films on forest fires and oral histories, living history interpreters, one-hour guided tours, self-guided tours, curriculum-based school tours, a picnic site, and vending machines. Wheelchairs are available for use on site, and reservations can be made for sign language interpreters. The center suggests using or bringing insect repellent. The website offers historical photographs.

Minnesota Historical Society

Description

The Minnesota Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Minnesota. To this end, the society operates a history center and 26 historical sites located throughout the state. The Minnesota History Center collections include more than 230,000 artifacts, including a collection of Ojibwa pieces; 6,000 works of art; and 53,000 cubic feet of government records, among other items.

The Minnesota History Center offers a 30-minute introductory film, exhibits, interactive field trip programs, library access, and two lunch sites—one indoor and one outdoor. Reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance for field trip programs and/or use of the indoor dining area. Lunches can be ordered ahead from the museum restaurant. The center can arrange for sign language interpreters and wheelchair availability. The society also offers outreach presentations given by costumed interpreters and continuing education workshops for teachers.

The website offers blogs on selected artifacts, local historical organizations, and the archives; a forum for historical researchers; video podcasts; historical images; lesson plans on Minnesota and the Holocaust; and a Minnesota history curriculum available for purchase.

Grissom Air Museum State Historic Site [IN]

Description

The Grissom Air Museum is one of the nation's fastest growing aviation museums, and features an impressive collection of military aircraft. The museum's aircraft are located outside, and can be viewed from the museum's Cold War era observation tower. Inside the museum, the museum has a variety of airplane technology and memorabilia displays, along with a wall of honor.

The museum offers exhibits and aircraft on display, summer programs for students, and group tours. The website offers visitor information, a photo gallery of aircraft owned by the museum, and visitor information.

Montana Historical Society [MT]

Description

The Montana Historical Society offers the Montana Museum, the Original Governor's Mansion, and the Montana State Capitol to visitors. The Montana Museum contains exhibits on Montana homesteaders and a collection of artwork from Montana's "cowboy artist" Charles M. Russell (1864-1926). The Governor’s Mansion was used from 1913-1959 and was built in the Queen Anne style.

The Museum offers docent-led and self-guided group tours free of charge to school groups. The Museum has a variety of tours and educational programs suitable for grades K-12. Pre- and post-visit activities are available for teachers. The State Capitol offers free self-guided tours for school groups. The Original Governor’s Mansion provides guided tours and children’s guided tours.

Selfridge Military Air Museum [MI]

Description

The Selfridge Military Air Museum is located on the Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan, and is home to an impressive collection of military air technology. In addition, the museum is home to a collection of air combat memorabilia, including newspapers, patches, and photographs.

The museum offers guided tours and exhibits. The website offers visitor information, photographs of museum displays, and a history of the museum.

Lewis and Clark State Historic Site: Camp River Dubois

Description

The Lewis and Clark site commemorates Camp Dubois, the 1803–1804 winter camp of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. It was at the camp on Wood River that members of the Corps of Discovery prepared their expedition to the Pacific Ocean. The site's main feature is an interpretive center that contains a large exhibition gallery, a theater, and a gift shop. The 14,000-square-foot exhibition area contains six galleries that outline the background and history of the Lewis and Clark expedition from its conception to its meaning for today's America. A reconstruction of the winter camp is located on the grounds near the visitor center. Its design reflects 1803 U.S. Army regulations for the construction of military posts. A nearby memorial structure overlooks the modern meeting point of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers.

The site offers exhibits, a short film, occasional living history events, and educational and recreational programs.