Scituate Historical Society [MA]

Description

The Scituate Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the history of Scituate, Massachusetts, and the Massachusetts Southern Shore. The society maintains nine historic sites throughout Scituate, including a local history museum, lighthouse, and several historic house museums.

The society offers guided tours and field trip programs in conjunction with all of its historic sites, school outreach programs, and exhibits on local and maritime history. The website offers visitor information, historical information regarding the society's historic structures, and information about upcoming events.

Rufus Porter Museum [ME]

Description

The Rufus Porter Museum is located in Bridgton, Maine, the site of some of Porter's most famous workers. Rufus Porter is notable for his fantastic works of landscape art, especially murals, and for being the founder of Scientific American.

The home offers guided tours and exhibitions of Rufus Porter's works. The website offers a biography of Porter, a history of the museum, visitor information, and an events calendar.

Pejepscot Historical Society and Museum [ME]

Description

The Pejepscot Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the historical heritage of the Pejepscot region of Maine, which consists of Brunswick, Topsham, and Harpswell Maine. The society was established in 1888, and maintains three museums, Pejepscot Museum, the Joshua Chamberlain Museum, and the Skolfield-Whittier House Museum, as well as a research collection.

The society offers guided tours of its three museums. The website offers a brief history of the society, a biography of Joshua Chamberlain, a virtual tour of the Skolfield-Whittier House, and visitor information regarding the society's museums.

Seacoast Fire Museum [NH]

Description

The Seacoast Fire Museum is located in Hampton, NH, along New Hampshire's coastline. The museum chronicles the history of the Seacoast Fireman's Union and features a 19th century fire pumper along with other antique firefighting equipment such as a Whiting Light.

The museum offers exhibits on firefighting history. The website offers historic photographs of the Seacoast Fireman's Union, photographs of the museum's exhibits, and basic visitor information.

Henry Whitfield State Museum

Description

In 1639, a group of Puritans led by their minister, Reverend Henry Whitfield, built the stone house in which this museum is housed. As well as serving as a home for the Whifield's, it was also a fort for the community. Its massive stone walls and chimneys, steeply-pitched roof, and casement windows reflect the style of post-medieval domestic architecture found in England—rare in 17th-century America and unique today. It is Connecticut's oldest house and New England's oldest stone house.

The museum offers exhibits, research library access, tours, and educational and recreational programs.

Bangor Museum and Center for History [ME]

Description

The Bangor Museum and Center for History presents the history of events which occurred within the boundaries of the modern state of Maine. Collections include more than 10,000 photographic artifacts; 800 examples of historical costume; and a strong collection of Civil war artifacts, which includes Union officer Joshua Chamberlain's sword, letters written by Hannibal Hamlin, and an apothecary chest. The museum also operates the Thomas A. Hill House and Civil War Museum. Display highlights include furniture and artifacts which belonged to Hannibal Hamlin (1809-1891), Vice President under Abraham Lincoln. The Greek Revival residence dates to 1835.

The museum offers ghost walking tours and Mount Hope Cemetery tours. The Thomas A. Hill House offers exhibits and guided tours led by costumed interpreters. The website offers a virtual tour of Bangor's historic architectural sites.

The main building is currently closed for renovations. The Thomas A. Hill House and Civil War Museum is still open to the public.

Connecticut River Museum [CT]

Description

Located on the waterfront in historic Essex, the Connecticut River Museum chronicles the history of New England's greatest river. The museum boasts a variety of galleries and exhibits that showcase the history of the river. In addition, the museum is home to research resources, including collections of historic artifacts and historical archives.

The museum offers tours, field trip programs, exhibits, and special events. The website offers visitor information, a history of the museum, an events calendar, and historic photo galleries.

Hamilton House [Maine]

Description

After railroads made the region accessible in the late 19th century, coastal Maine became a fashionable destination for wealthy summer people. Many of the newcomers bought and restored the fine old houses built during the prosperous years following the American Revolution. In 1898, Mrs. Emily Tyson and her stepdaughter, Elise, purchased the c. 1785 Hamilton House, built on a site overlooking the Salmon Falls River. The Tysons flung themselves into a lifelong project to restore the house to its former glory. Influenced by literary imagery, including the writings of their neighbor and friend, Sarah Orne Jewett, they decorated with a mixture of elegant antiques, painted murals, and simple country furnishings to create their own romantic interpretation of America's colonial past.

The house offers tours and educational and recreational programs.

Little Compton Historical Society and Wilbor House Museum [RI]

Description

Wilbor House, the Society's headquarters, stands on land purchased from the Sakonnet Indians in 1673. Built by Samuel Wilbore in about 1690, the original house consisted of only two rooms, one above the other, and a cramped stairway and attic. It was typical of 17th-century New England. Today, one unusual feature of Wilbor House is that it spans three centuries and contains rooms representative of each.

The house offers tours and occasional recreational and educational events.

Justin Smith Morrill Homestead [VT]

Description

The Justin Smith Morrill Homestead preserves the Greek Revival cottage of John Smith Morrill (1810-1898). During his life, Morrill worked as a blacksmith, merchant's clerk, Representative, and U.S. Senator. Unable to finish school himself, Morrill became the chief sponsor of the 1862 Land Grant Act. The act provided for a college in each state which would teach skills not previously available in the higher education system—practical science, agriculture, and engineering. These colleges also offered more traditional studies. Morrill's hobbies included architecture and landscape design.

The homestead offers period rooms, tours, gardens, and access to Morrill's library. Please call ahead to verify admission hours. Appointments are required for library access. The website offers suggested reading and a video virtual garden tour.