W.W. Mayo House [MN]

Description

The W.W. Mayo House was home to both the Mayo and Cosgrove families, who would go on to found the Mayo Clinic and Green Giant Food Company respectively. The home was hand-built by W.W. Mayo in 1859, and today is open as a fully restored historic house museum.

The home offers tours by costumed guides. The website offers a brief history of the home and visitor information.

Munster Historical Society [IN]

Description

The Munster Historical Society protects and preserves local history. The society also owns and operates the Kaske House Museum, which is open the first and third Saturday of every month.

The society offers individual or group tours of the Kaske House Museum year-round, along with other events including banquets and lectures. The website offers visitor information and a brief history of Munster.

Chimney Rock National Historic Site [NE]

Description

Chimney Rock has become one of the most famous landmarks in the American West. This unique formation—the most noted on the Oregon Trail—has come to symbolize the greatest voluntary migration in the history of mankind. The Visitor Center features museum exhibits explaining the westward migration of the 19th century and the significant role Chimney Rock had in the memories of those who traveled the trails west.

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

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum [IL]

Description

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum presents the history of President Abraham Lincoln and the state of Illinois. The non-circulating Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library's mission is the collection and preservation of archival resources related to state history. Holdings include more than 5,000 newspaper titles, 400,000 photographs, 5,000 broadsides, 7,000 audio tapes, 1,000 World War II oral histories, 10,000,000 manuscripts, and 1,500 letters signed by Lincoln. The museum focuses on Lincoln's life, divided between his presidency and the preceding years.

The museum offers traditional and interactive exhibits, full-scale dioramas, a 17-minute film, storytelling, a 15-minute holograph presentation, a children's area, library tours, research library access, a high school summer internship program, and catered box lunches. Appointments are necessary for research in the Manuscripts, Audiovisual, and Lincoln Collections. Advance notice is required for all school groups, box lunches, and for library tours. Wheelchairs are available for use on the premises. Theater presentation scripts are available in French, German, Spanish, and Japanese. The website offers a list of relevant state educational standards, seven teacher resource guides, information on the Horace Mann-Abraham Lincoln Fellowship for educators, and an educator's pass.

Winona County Historical Society, Museums, and Bunnell House [MN]

Description

The Winona County Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the history of Winona County, Minnesota. The society owns and operates three structures: the Winona County History Museum, the Bunnell House, and the Arches Museum of Pioneer Life. The mid-1800s Bunnell House, which currently serves as a historic house museum, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The society offers guided interpretive tours of the Bunnell House, exhibits and events at the Winona County Historical Museum that chronicle the history of Winona County, and exhibits and events at the Arches Museum which showcase pioneer life. The Arches Museum is one of the nation's few remaining roadside museums, and also includes a log home and barn. The website offers visitor information and a brief history for all three locations.

Rogers Park / West Ridge Historical Society [IL]

Description

The Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history of the western section of Chicago, Illinois. In addition to actively aiding and encouraging preservation, the society owns and operates a small museum that showcases the history of the Rogers Park area.

The society offers exhibits. The website offers information regarding upcoming events, visitor information, and a brief history of the area.

Ohio Village

Description

Ohio Village is designed to recreate the appearance of a typical county-seat town in Ohio during the mid-19th century, about the time of the Civil War.

The village offers educational programs and occasional recreational and educational events, including living history events.

Former Governors' Mansion State Historic Site [ND]

Description

The site consists of a large two-and-one-half story restored Victorian house and a carriage house. Constructed in 1884, it housed 21 chief executives between 1893 and 1960. Room exhibits feature the restoration process, architectural style changes, and furniture used by several governors.

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

Cherokee Strip Museum [OK]

Description

Located on five acres of land about an hour north of Oklahoma City, the Cherokee Strip Museum provides an opportunity to explore the remarkable events and people who made up the history of the Cherokee Outlet. The Cherokee Strip was created in 1835 in order to fulfill terms of an agreement by the US government and the Cherokee people to create an "outlet" for the Cherokee people out west. The museum chronicles the history of this territory.

The museum offers tours and exhibits, as well as the Rose Hill School, which offers a living history exhibition showing modern day schoolchildren what school was like in the days of the single-room schoolhouse. The site offers visitor information, a brief history of Cherokee outlet, as well as nine online exhibits and information about upcoming events.

Western Historic Trails Center [IA]

Description

The Center prepares visitors for an adventure along the western historic trails. Here, they can receive an orientation for trips north following the Lewis and Clark Trail or for trips west following the routes of early travelers on the Oregon, Mormon, and California Trails. They can enter the Lied Historical Building on the Path of Names to enjoy educational exhibits, maps, films, and sculpture.

The site offers short films, exhibits, and occasional recreational and educational events (including living history events).