Custer State Park [SD]

Description

Custer State Park commemorates the 1874 military expedition of Lt. Colonel George A. Custer (1839-1876). He entered the Black Hills seeking a location for a Dakota Territory frontier post, to map the area, and to catalog its natural resources. These resources included gold, triggering a rush to the area and substantial environmental damage. The park also include The Badger Hole, home of Charles Badger Clark (1883-1957), first South Dakota poet laureate, and the Gordon Stockade built between 1874 and 1875. Clark is best known for his cowboy poetry.

The park offers gold panning demonstrations, hands-on gold panning, tours of The Badger Hole, and interpretive signage near the stockade. The website offers a printable geocaching activity.

John Paul Jones House Museum [NH]

Description

The John Paul Jones House Museum structure was built as a residence in 1758. After the death of her husband, the owner of the home rented it out to gentlemen boarders. Revolutionary War hero John Paul Jones (1747-1792) stayed in the home on two separate occasions: while waiting for the Ranger to sail in 1777 and while awaiting the readiness of the U.S.S. America in 1781. The house collection includes period decorative arts, costume and wedding gowns, firearms, toys, and documents.

The museum offers period rooms, exhibits, and tours covering Jones' life.

Sullivan-Johnson House [OH]

Description

The Sullivan-Johnson House presents the local history of Hardin County, Ohio. Collections include late 1800s Kenton toys and the Civil War medals of Jacob Parrot (1843-1908), the first recipient of the Medal of Honor. The home includes an 1890s parlor and paintings by Fred Machetanz (1908-2002).

The house offers exhibits, period room, and group tours.

USS Constellation [MD]

Description

The U.S.S. Constellation serves as a museum of its own history. The vessel is the final sail-powered warship built by the Navy, and the last floating Civil War era vessel. Education program topics include African Americans in the Navy, life at sea as a powder monkey, the Constellation's efforts against the slave trade, and the construction of the sloop-of-war.

The vessel offers gun drills, exhibits, an audio tour, an overnight program, educational programs, and educational outreach presentations. The website offers downloadable curriculum.

USS Potomac - The Presidential Yacht Potomac [CA]

Description

The USS Potomac was built in 1934, and is best known as Franklin Delano Roosevelt's presidential yacht. It served this purpose between 1936 and 1945, the year of Roosevelt's death (1882-1945). Today, the vessel serves as an interpretive center focusing on the years of Roosevelt's presidency (1933-1945).

The vessel offers exhibits, a 15-minute film, student educational cruises, two-hour history cruises, guided tours, self-guided tours, and a library with circulating materials. The website offers a gallery of historic photographs. Reservations are required for student cruises.

Historic Fort Snelling [MN]

Description

Completed in 1825, Fort Snelling was originally built to prevent non-U.S. citizens from making use of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers. After 1851, the fort served as a supply depot, training center for Union troops, and the headquarters of the Army Department of Dakota.

The fort offers a hands-on educational program; living history tours; day camps based on the pioneer stories of Laura Ingalls Wilder; blacksmithing, bread baking, tea, and hearth baking classes; outreach presentations given by costumed interpreters; lectures; and a picnic area. The website offers a virtual tour.

Putnam Memorial State Park [CT]

Description

This was the site of the Continental Army's 1779 winter encampment under the command of General Israel Putnam. The site consists of the remains of the encampment, reconstructed log buildings, and a museum.

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

Holland Land Office Museum [NY]

Description

The Holland Land Office Museum presents the history of Genesee County, New York. Topics covered include the Tonawanda Indian Reservation, the Seneca people, military history, and Victorian life. The collection contains approximately 16,000 artifacts—2,000 of which are available for viewing at a given time. The collection is supplemented by a series of temporary exhibits.

The museum offers exhibits, customizable tours, and more than 15 summer education programs. Reservations are required for tours.

Centenary State Historic Site [LA]

Description

Centenary State Historic Site commemorates Centenary College, an all-male college (circa 1839-1908) which was previously located on today's historic site. With the college closed during the Civil War, both the Union and Confederate forces made use of the school structures for hospitals and/or area headquarters. The structures which remain on-site were the West Wing and the residence of a professor.

The site offers period rooms, tours, educational programs, and picnic facilities.