Sherwood Forest Plantation [VA]

Description

Sherwood Forest Plantation was once home to John Tyler (1790-1862), the first United States Vice President to ascend to the Presidency. Tyler's term (1841-1845) began after then President William Henry Harrison (1773-1841) died. The plantation was originally owned by Harrison, but was later purchased by Tyler. During his life, Tyler also served as Virginia Governor, senator, and delegate; member of the House of Representatives; U.S. Senator; member of the Confederate Congress; and Chancellor of The College of William and Mary. The residence itself is Virginia Tidewater in style with Greek Revival additions. It sits on 25 acres containing gardens designed by landscape architect Andrew Jackson Downing (1815-1852), a gingko tree gifted by Commodore Matthew Perry (1794-1958) after his 1850s return from Japan, a 17th-century tobacco barn, milk house, smoke house, garden house, kitchen and laundry, and law office. The home is furnished with pieces which belonged to the Tyler family.

The site offers period rooms. Lunch boxes are available on request.

Eastern Cherokee, Southern Iroquois, and United Tribes of South Carolina

Description

Eastern Cherokee, Southern Iroquois, and United Tribes of South Carolina is an organization which seeks to preserve and share the history and culture of the Native American peoples of South Carolina. To this end, the organization is politically active and educational.

The society offers outreach music, dancing, and performance presentations; storytelling; demonstrations; outreach cultural, historical, and archaeological lectures; hands-on educational outreach programs; and curriculum guides. All of the aforementioned offerings are designed for or can be tailored to student needs.

North Carolina State Capitol

Description

This National Historic Landmark is one of the finest and best-preserved examples of the Greek Revival style of architecture in the United States. The Capitol features a domed rotunda and state senate and house chambers, meticulously restored to their 1840 appearance. Its granite walls housed all of North Carolina state government until 1888. The legislature met here until 1961. Today, the governor and his staff still occupy offices in the Capitol.

The site offers exhibits, tours, and occasional recreational and educational events.

Old State House [DE]

Description

The Georgian-style Old State House, completed in 1791, served as the headquarters of both the Delaware state and Kent County governments. The first floor contains an 18th-century style courtroom, and the second floor presents the former chambers of the state legislature. Artworks displayed include paintings by Denis A. Volozan (1765-1820) and Thomas Sully (1783-1872).

The house offers tours. Reservations are required for large groups.

Raynham Hall Museum [NY]

Description

The Raynham Hall Museum is a historic home depicting life between the 1770s and 1870s. Samuel Townsend, a prosperous international merchant, purchased the property in 1738. Townsend later served on the New York Provincial Congress. Between 1778 and 1779, the Queen's Rangers, led by English Lt. Col. John Graves Simcoe (1752-1806), made the Patriot family's home their headquarters. During this time, legend has it, Sally Townsend overheard Benedict Arnold's plan to surrender the West Point fort to the British; and informed the Culper Spy Ring about Benedict (1741-1801) and his accomplice Major John Andre (1750-1780). The site displays over 500 artifacts, including pieces owned by the Townsends and others made in Long Island.

The museum offers colonial and Victorian period rooms, colonial- and Victorian-style gardens, and children's summer workshops.

Historic Edenton [NC]

Description

Featuring 18th- and early 19th-century history, North Carolina's second oldest town Edenton was one of the fledgling nation's chief political, cultural, and commercial centers. The state's first colonial capital, it was established in the late 17th century and incorporated in 1722. Once its second largest port, Edenton provided slaves with a means of escape via the Maritime Underground Railroad before Emancipation. Today it features an extensive historic district with architectural styles spanning 250 years, such as the 1767 Chowan County Courthouse National Historic Landmark. Tours include historic sites such as the 1736 St. Paul's Church; the 1758 Cupola House; the 1782 Barker House; the Courthouse; and the 1773 James Iredell House.

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

Preserve Rhode Island and Governor Henry Lippitt House

Description

Preserve Rhode Island operates several historical sites, including the Governor Henry Lippitt House. Built for textile merchant Henry Lippitt, his wife Mary Ann Balch Lippitt, and their six children, the house was completed in 1865 and occupied by several generations of the Lippitt family for 114 years. Over the years, the Governor Henry Lippitt family made only a few changes respecting the historic integrity of their ancestor's legacy. The majority of the family's furnishings still exist in the house.

The organization offers occasional recreational and educational events; the House offers tours.

Haywood Hall [NC]

Description

Haywood Hall is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, and was built by John Haywood. Haywood served as North Carolina's state treasurer for 40 years, from 1786 until his death in 1827. Haywood was required to live in the state capital, and so built Haywood Hall in 1799. Today, the home is open as a historic house museum.

Haywood Hall offers guided tours and is available for rental for special events. The website offers a biography of John Haywood, a history of the home, and visitor information.

California State Capitol Museum

Description

Home of the California Legislature since 1869, the State Capitol underwent a major renovation that restored much of the building's original look. Visitors can tour the restored historic offices of the Secretary of State, Treasurer, and Governor of the State of California. The building features exhibits and tours—and possibly an opportunity to watch the legislators debate a bill or cast a vote.

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

Historic Hope Plantation [NC]

Description

The 45-acre Historic Hope Plantation preserves the circa 1803 home of North Carolina Governor David Stone (1770-1818). The main residence is Federal and Georgian in style, and contains both original and reproduction decorative arts. The plantation also contains the 1763 "hall and parlor" King-Bazemore House. The site depicts agricultural life between 1760 and 1840 in eastern North Carolina.

The plantation offers period rooms, exhibits, collections and research library access, nature trails, picnic facilities, and an annual fourth grade living history program. The website offers floor plans, fourth- and eighth-grade curricula, and a lesson plan.