Theatre Historical Society of America and American Movie Palace Museum

Description

THSA is the only organization in the U.S. which exclusively records and preserves the rich architectural, cultural and social history of America's theatres. Through its collections and publications, THSA makes available information on more than 15,000 theatres, primarily in the United States, and encourages further research in these areas. The Society also operates the American Theatre Architecture Archives and the American Movie Palace Museum. The Archives contain an extensive collection of photographs, slides, negatives, books, blueprints, clippings, videos, printed programs, and other material on historic theatres, primarily in the U.S. The Museum features exhibits of photographs, artworks, antiques, artifacts, and other memorabilia relating primarily to the "golden age of the movie palace."

The society offers annual tours; the archives offer research access; and the museum offers exhibits and tours.

Presque Isle County Historical Society and Museum [Michigan]

Description

The Society operates a museum, housed in the Bradley House—an early-20th-century, seven-bedroom, two-story, single-family bungalow built in 1914. This house was the home of the president of Michigan Limestone and Chemical Company, the largest industry in this community. The museum features three floors of exhibits, including the Bradley dining room, a Victorian music room, a 1900s bedroom, the Bertram sisters' millinery shop, and a county store. Other exhibits include a school room from the early 1900s, farm implements, household goods, woodworking and lumbering tools, and a maritime room.

The museum offers exhibits, tours, and occasional educational and recreational programs.

Douglas County Historical Society and Watkins Community Museum of History [Kansas]

Description

The Douglas County Historical Society is responsible for the operation, preservation, and development of collections in the Watkins Community Museum of History. The Museum is housed in a building that was once the Land Mortgage Company and Watkins National Bank, constructed between 1885 and 1888; it displays exhibits on early settlement, toys, sports, and other local history topics.

The museum offers exhibits, tours, workshops, and educational and recreational events.

Lake County Historical Society and Historic Sites [MN]

Description

Organized in 1925, the mission of the Lake County Historical Society is to preserve the history of Lake County, MN, through the preservation, study and interpretation of artifacts, documents, photographs, and historic sites. The Society also maintains several historic sites. The Two Harbors Light Station constructed in 1892 is the oldest operating light station in Minnesota and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The lighthouse museum explores the development of Agate Bay. The 3M Museum includes the original office and headquarters of Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing (3M). It was here, in 1902, that five businessmen embarked on a mining venture which laid the foundation for a successful global corporation. Exhibits include Attorney John Dwan's recreated office; a history of the company including photos, artifacts, and documents; a "lab" area representing research and development, product diversification, and growth; and a "hands on" interactive program of technology applications. The Depot Museum is in the 1907 headquarters of the Duluth and Iron Range Railroad, and highlights the early pioneering history of Lake County. Exhibits range from McDougal archaeological dig artifacts and a Paleo-Indian display to the first shipment of iron ore from Minnesota.

The Two Harbors Light Station offers exhibits and tours; the 3M Museum offers exhibits; and the Depot Museum offers short films and exhibits.

Washington County Historical Society and Museums [MN]

Description

The Society operates two museums: the Warden's House Museum and the Hay Lake School and Erikson Log House Museum. The Warden's House Museum was built in 1853 as the residence of the Minnesota Territorial Prison warden. The museum consists of 14 rooms decorated in the late 19th- and early 20th-century style. Many rooms are like those of an upper-middle-class household while other rooms depict certain historic themes of Washington County, including a room dedicated to the lumbering industry and another that shows off items that children's artifacts from 100 years ago. The Hay Lake School was constructed in 1896 and in use until 1963; the Log House was constructed in 1868 by Johannes Erickson and his 13-year-old son Alfred.

The society offers research library access and occasional recreational and educational events; the Warden's House Museum offers tours; and the School and Log House Museum offer tours and educational programs; and the