Braintree Historical Society, Sylvanus Thayer Birthplace, and Museum [MA]

Description

The Braintree Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Braintree, MA and its people. To this end, the society operates the Gilbert Bean Museum of local history, a research library, and the Sylvanus Thayer Birthplace. The research library collections include town records dating from 1640 onward, archival materials, and a display of military artifacts. Thayer (1785-1872) advocated engineering education, and is known as the "father of West Point." His birthplace holds exhibits on the railway, military history, and coopers, as well as circa 1785 period rooms.

The society offers exhibits, period rooms, guided tours of the Thayer house, and research library access. Appointments are necessary for all visits, with the exception of Thayer house tours taking place April through November.

Willard House and Clock Museum [MA]

Description

The Willard House and Clock Museum is housed in the original 1718 home of clockmaker Joseph Willard. Willard's descendents went on to become some of America's most famous clockmakers and the museum houses many original creations of the family.

Upon making reservations, groups may visit the museum and tour for approx. an hour for a small fee.

Royal Arts Foundation- Belcourt Castle [RI]

Description

The Belcourt Castle was the home of built in 1894 by the famous American architect Richard Morris Hunt. It was designed as Louis XIII style hunting lodge to be a summer cottage during the Gilded Age. The mansion contains historical furnishings and memorabilia.

The Castle offers guided group tours for students that include showcase the Tinney family's (the current owners) antiques and the variety of architectural styles of the home. The tour covers the history of the Gilded Age and the home's illustrious residents O.H.P. Belmont, a representative of the Rothschild Banking empire and Congressman, and his wife Alva Vanderbilt, the former wife of William Kissam Vanderbilt.

Mount Independence State Historic Site [VT]

Description

The Mount Independence State Historic Site preserves the remains of Revolutionary War fortifications at Mount Independence. In the summer of 1776, between Mount Independence and Fort Ticonderoga, the area held 12,000 Continental troops. The sheer number caused the British to temporarily retreat to Canada rather than engaging in battle. However, by the spring of 1777, the number stationed at the posts had dwindled; and Mount Independence was captured by the British. Exhibits focus on life on Mount Independence.

The site offers exhibits, trails, fortification remnants, and interpretive signs.

Simsbury Historical Society and Phelps Tavern Museum [CT]

Description

The Phelps Tavern Museum presents a 1786-1849 tavern and inn within the Captain Elisha Phelps House. Key society collections include textiles, costumes, and horse-drawn vehicles. The site also includes a schoolhouse, gardens, and an exhibit hall.

The museum offers period rooms, interactive exhibits, group tours, school tours, gardens, and archive access. School tours must be reserved 30 days in advance. Groups of 12 or more and archive access are by appointment only.

Boston Fire Museum [MA]

Description

The Boston Fire Museum presents fire safety and the firefighting history of the greater Boston area. Collections include historic firefighting vehicles and equipment, fire alarms, and historical photographs. Highlights include Ross thawing devices and a circa 1792 Ephraim Thayer pumper. The museum is located within an 1891 firehouse.

The museum offers exhibits and group tours, and is open during the winter months.

Casey Farm

Description

This mid-18th-century homestead overlooking Narragansett Bay was the center of a plantation that produced food for local and foreign markets. Located near Newport, Casey Farm had access to material goods imported from England, enabling its early owners to live in a fashionable manner. Today, resident farm managers raise organically grown vegetables, herbs, and flowers for subscribing households in a Community Supported Agriculture program. The guided tour includes the farmyard and cemetery, where six generations of Caseys are buried.

The farm offers tours and educational and recreational programs.

The Mount [MA]

Description

The Mount is the Lennox, MA, estate of famed writer Edith Wharton. Wharton is most famous for her prolific works, and is the first woman to have been awarded the Pulitzer Prize for fiction. Wharton was also very interested in design and landscaping, and put a lot of personal work into the mansion and its fantastic gardens.

The Mount offers exhibits on Edith Wharton, guided tours, and special events. The website offers visitor information, a history of The Mount, a brief biography of Edith Wharton, and a calendar of events.

Hillborough Historical Society and Franklin Pierce Homestead [NH]

Description

Franklin Pierce (1804–1869), the seventh of nine children, spent a happy childhood in attractive surroundings of gardens and trees. The stately home has spacious rooms with vividly painted walls and exquisite stenciling. The house has a grand ballroom and a parlor decorated with imported French wallpaper—symbols of the elegance of the age.

The house offers tours and occasional recreational and educational events.