Joshua L. Chamberlain Museum [ME] Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 01/08/2008 - 13:36
Description

The Joshua L. Chamberlain Museum is located within the adulthood residence of Civil War officer Joshua Chamberlain (1828-1914). Best known for his strategic command of Little Round Top at the Battle of Gettysburg, Chamberlain also commanded the Union troops during the Confederate infantry's official surrender to the Union, served as President of Bowdoin College, and was elected Governor of Maine. Topics addressed include Chamberlain's family, career, and life story.

The museum offers guided tours of the museum and self-guided walking tours of Brunswick.

Sterling Historical Society and Little Red Schoolhouse Museum [NY]

Description

The Sterling Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Sterling, NY. To this end, the society operates the Little Red School House Museum. Housed within an 1825 schoolhouse, the museum contains exhibits on military history, area industry, and local artifacts, among other topics.

The society offers exhibits and an hour-and-15-minute narrated boat tour of Fair Haven's bay.

Caesar's Creek Pioneer Village [OH]

Description

Caesar's Creek Pioneer Village is a living history museum, which consists of several restored log cabins. Topics covered include the Civil War and pioneer life.

The museum offers educational programs. Note that the museum is closed outside of special event hours. Check the event calender for school programs. Registration is required for participation.

Fort Pitt Museum [PA]

Description

Situated in the recreated Monongahela Bastion at Point State Park, the Fort Pitt Museum commemorates the strategic importance of the Forks of the Ohio during the Great War for Empire in which British, French, Colonial, and Native American forces struggled for control of North America. Through exhibits and programs, the museum also addresses the important role of Fort Pitt during the American Revolution and the early development of the city of Pittsburgh. The site presents tours, exhibits, educational programs, and publications to broaden understanding of the significance of the area known as "the Point." In meeting this goal, Fort Pitt Museum closely examines the French and Indian War, the American Revolution, the various military fortifications established on the site, the many cultures that influenced the development of the region, and the importance of the fur trade and other early commerce.

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

Gathland State Park [MD]

Description

Gathland State Park was once the home of George Alfred Townsend, a noted Civil War journalist. Today, it is the site of a unique collection of buildings that Townsend both designed and constructed, some of which have been restored. In addition, the park is home to a monument dedicated to war correspondents and includes part of the the South Mountain battlefield. The Appalachian Trail also traverses the park.

The park offers tours, exhibits, occasional Civil War reenactments, and a variety of outdoor activities including hiking and backpacking. The website offers an events calendar, visitor information, and a history of the park.

Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial [CA]

Description

The Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial is the site of the greatest World War II era domestic disaster. On July 17, 1944, munitions ships being loaded for the Pacific theatre combusted, killing 320 men. The 202 African American men killed account for a full 15 percent of African American World War II deaths. The disaster brought attention to Navy munitions handling and the segregation of military units.

The memorial offers guided tours. Access to the site requires at least two weeks notice, providing time for Army clearance to be achieved.

Goliad State Park and Mission Espíritu Santo State Historic Site [TX]

Description

The park contains a refurnished replica of Mission Nuestra Senora del Espíritu Santo de Zuniga, reconstructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s. The mission was originally established in 1722 near Matagorda Bay and moved to its present site in 1749. This mission was the first large cattle ranch in Texas, supplying its own needs and those of Spanish colonial settlements as far away as Louisiana. The park also contains General Ignacio Zaragoza's Birthplace, Plaza, and Amphitheater, which are located near Presidio La Bahia. General Zaragoza assumed command of the rag-tag Mexican Army and welded it into a staunch fighting force, which met and defeated the French on May 5, 1862, in the Battle of Puebla, which led to Mexico's independence from France.

The site offers tours and occasional recreational and educational events.

Fort Supply Historic Site [OK]

Description

The Oklahoma Historical Society's mission at the Fort Supply Historic Site is to educate the public about the history of Fort Supply and northwest Oklahoma through the preservation and interpretation of its historic resources. The five remaining buildings from the military period will be restored to their appearance of over 100 years ago. The 1875 Ordnance Sergeant's Quarters and the 1882 Civilian Employee Quarters are picket-style log buildings. These are rare examples of a common frontier construction method. The walls of these buildings consist of vertical logs. The 1879 Commanding Officer's Quarters and the duplex 1882 Officers' Quarters are the only frame houses left on "Officers' Row." The 1892 Guard House was the only brick building erected by the army at Fort Supply. It has been restored and furnished and contains the site's exhibit area. Each September Fort Supply hosts Cavalry Day, with costumed interpreters portraying military life on the frontier.

The site offers exhibits and occasional living history programs.

Harry S Truman National Historic Site [MO]

Description

The Harry S Truman National Historic Site preserves the 1885 Queen Anne residence in which Harry S Truman lived between the ages of 22 and 88 (beginning in 1919); the Truman Farm Home in Grandview, Missouri, where Truman lived between 1906 and 1917; and several family homes. Collections consist of more than 53,000 artifacts. Truman (1884-1972) served as the 33rd President of the United States between 1945 and 1953. During this time he desegregated the military, approved nuclear weapon use on Japan, adopted the Marshall Plan, and witnessed the founding of the United Nations.

The site offers a 12-minute introductory slide presentation, tours of the Queen Anne residence, school tours of the Queen Anne residence, cell phone tours of the farm and Queen Anne sites, and Junior Ranger activities. Reservations are required for all school visits. The website offers four lesson plans, photo tours, an artifact of the month feature, and a list of the more than 1,100 books owned by Truman.

Planes of Fame Air Museum [CA]

Description

The Planes of Fame Air Museum was the first air museum located west of the Rocky Mountains. Founded in 1957, the museum now contains over 150 vintage aircraft. The museum is open year round, and also operates an annual air-show.

The museum offers exhibits, self-guided tours, monthly presentations, and an annual airshow. The website offers visitor information, an events calendar, and a brief history of the museum. In order to contact the museum via email, use the "contact the museum" link located at the top of the webpage under the "air museum info" tab.