California State Military Museum

Description

The California State Military Museum is the official state military museum, under the U.S. Army. Today, the museum houses over 30,000 artifacts, a library with over 10,000 volumes, and archives. These collections include items of importance to state and national military history of all military branches, ranging in time from prior to the Spanish American War to World War II.

The museum offers exhibits, a research library, an image library with a number of online selections, and guided tours for school groups.

Historic Smithfield Plantation [VA]

Description

William Preston was about 45 years old when he moved his family to Smithfield in March of 1774. He and his wife had seven children at that time; five more children were born at Smithfield. Colonel Preston began at once to make Smithfield a productive and profitable plantation. Smithfield was first opened to the public in 1964; and today is a living document of the past.

The site offers tours, living history demonstrations, workshops, classes, and other occasional educational and recreational events.

Fulkerson Mansion and Farm Museum [IL]

Description

The Fulkerson Mansion and Farm Museum presents the cattle farm—Hazy Dell—and Southern-style Victorian mansion which became the home of Lt. Colonel William H. Fulkerson after his stint with the Confederate Army. Hazel Dell is virtually unchanged today; and the Farm Museum contains many rare agricultural items and equipment with emphasis on farm steam traction engines—utilized for plowing the prairie, threshing grain, and for powering early sawmills. The museum features Reeves steam engines and plows, while the 1866 mansion is furnished with antiques and artifacts of the period, with a special display of the Fulkerson's personal Civil War items, Lafayette Baker's Civil War artifacts, and the Thomas Lincoln Anvil. The building is in an Italianate style—with a low pitched roof and tall, narrow windows—popular between the 1850s and 1880s.

The site offers exhibits and tours of the mansion.

Schriver House Museum [PA]

Description

The Schriver House Museum aims to provide a unique perspective often overlooked by interpreters of the Battle of Gettysburg—namely the civilian experience, offering an authentic glimpse of what life was like during the war years. Guides in period attire tell the Shriver family's story within their restored home, originally built in 1860. The property temporarily housed Union soldiers and includes a garret used by Confederate sharpshooters during the Battle of Gettysburg and a cellar where locals gathered to escape the fighting. Collections include photographs and documents concerning the Shriver family and artifacts discovered during the architectural restoration. A mid-19th century "in town" garden is situated directly behind the Shriver's home.

The museum offers exhibits and tours guided by docents in period attire.

Pickett's Mill Battlefield Historic Site [GA]

Description

On May 27, 1864, the Federal Army, having been stopped in its advance on Atlanta two days earlier by the Battle of New Hope Church, attempted to outflank the Confederate position. Some 14,000 Federal troops were selected for the task, and General Howard was given command. After a five-hour march, Howard's force reached the vicinity of Pickett's Mill and prepared to attack. Waiting were 10,000 Confederate troops under the command of General Cleburne. The Federal assault began at 5 p.m. and continued into the night. Daybreak found the Confederates still in possession of the field. The Federals had lost 1,600 men compared to the Confederate loss of 500. The Confederate victory resulted in a one-week delay of the Federal advance on Atlanta. Pickett's Mill is one of the best preserved Civil War battlefields in the nation. Visitors can travel roads used by Federal and Confederate troops, see earthworks constructed by these men, and walk through the same ravine where hundreds died. An 1850's cabin is located on site, and a research library offers maps, books, microfilm, newspapers, and other materials.

The site offers an introductory film, exhibits, 4 miles of trails, a list of Georgia educational standards met by the topic of the site (available online), special event first person and narrative demonstrations performed as living history, a student quiz (available online), guided tours, educational activities, and a research library.

Historical Society for Southeast New Mexico

Description

Housed in a 1912 cattle rancher's home, the Historical Society for Southeast New Mexico offers a regional history museum. Many of the original furnishings still fill the rooms, and the prairie style house contains a fully recreated turn-of-the-century kitchen. Artifacts of note include an Edison Amberola phonograph and a buggy foot warmer, and exhibits include information on famous and infamous regional figures. The archives, located next door to the museum, contain over 11,000 photographs, thousands of books and manuscripts, obituaries, newspaper articles dating back to the early 1900's, and other Pecos Valley memorabilia.

The society offers museum exhibits, archival access, and a self-guided historic district tour.

Pío Pico State Historic Park [CA]

Description

Pío de Jesus Pico is one of California's most remarkable historical figures. He witnessed, shaped, and influenced nearly a century of California history in the 1800s. Pío Pico was the governor of California in 1832 and again in 1846 before and during the Mexican-American War. His adobe home at "El Ranchito" has been completely restored to how it appeared in the 1880s, letting visitors experience and celebrate his life and times. The five-acre park encompasses historic gardens and the beautiful restored adobe home of Pío Pico. A bell marks the original El Camino Real, which passed directly in front of the park during Pío Pico's time. The park was once part of Pío Pico’s 9,000 acre ranch, Rancho Paso de Bartolo. Visitors can enjoy the park with picnics, bird watching, and exploring the parks features, including a 15-room adobe with interpretive displays, an horno (bread oven), a dovecote, and a children's archaeological sand box.

The park offers exhibits; tours; educational programs; and recreational and educational events, including living history events.

Tillamook Air Museum [OR]

Description

The Tillamook Air Museum, housed in a WWII blimp hangar, is one of the top five privately owned aircraft collections in the United States. Collection highlights include over 30 war planes—a P–38 Lightning, F4U–Corsair, P51–Mustang, PBY Catalina, and SBD Dauntless dive bomber—pieces of the Hindenburg, and a WWII Luftwaffe flight jacket.

The museum offers exhibits, a jet simulator, and a cafe.

The Fort at No.4 Living History Museum [NH]

Description

The Fort at No.4 Living History Museum presents the experience of life as a settler in the 1740s, the time during which the original fort was settled. Daily demonstrations include hearth cooking, musket firing, and military drills. The site includes 12 reconstructed homes; a reconstructed great chamber and watch tower; and exhibits on the Abenaki, members of the Algonquin. Smaller divisions of the Abenaki include the Sokoki, Panacook, and Cowasck.

The museum offers tours by guides in period dress, exhibits, hands-on activities, demonstrations, docents depicting actual period figures, and period rooms. The website offers printable student activities, lesson plans, curriculum resources, and a post–visit activity.