Robert Toombs House Historic Site [GA]

Description

Robert Toombs is notable for his service during the mid-1800s as a U.S. Congressman and Senator. He is also known for the creation of the Georgia state constitution, which was not changed until 1945. The home is a beautiful piece of Southern architecture, and today serves as a historic house museum.

The home offers tours, a variety of exhibits, a short video portraying Toombs, and special events including lectures and special exhibits. The website offers a brief biography of Toombs, an events calendar, and visitor information.

Alabama Department of Archives and History [AL]

Description

The Alabama Department of Archives and History preserves the history of Alabama, maintaining an extensive archive of primary and secondary source material from and on the history of Alabama as well as a museum which features exhibits and hosts events regarding Alabama history.

The Department offers lecture series, guided tours of the museum and archives, and interactive media for children. The website offers educational resources including worksheets, interactive online activities, resources for teachers, and links to other online historical resources. The website also offers online exhibits, a virtual tour of the archives, and historical information about Alabama.

Charleston Museum and Historic Houses [SC]

Description

The Charleston Museum has the distinction of being America's first museum. The museum focuses on the history of Charleston and the South Carolina Lowcountry. In addition to the museum, the organization also maintains two historic houses, the 1803 Joseph Manigault House and the 1772 Heyward-Washington House.

The museum offers educational programs for elementary, middle, and high school students, as well as presentations tailored specifically to home-schooled children. The museum also offers a variety of exhibits, including traveling exhibits, and guided tours; the two historic house museums are also open for tours. The website offers online lesson plans, visitor information, an events calendar, information regarding the museum's educational programs, and histories of the two historic house museums.

Former Governors' Mansion State Historic Site [ND]

Description

The site consists of a large two-and-one-half story restored Victorian house and a carriage house. Constructed in 1884, it housed 21 chief executives between 1893 and 1960. Room exhibits feature the restoration process, architectural style changes, and furniture used by several governors.

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

Cherokee Strip Museum [OK]

Description

Located on five acres of land about an hour north of Oklahoma City, the Cherokee Strip Museum provides an opportunity to explore the remarkable events and people who made up the history of the Cherokee Outlet. The Cherokee Strip was created in 1835 in order to fulfill terms of an agreement by the US government and the Cherokee people to create an "outlet" for the Cherokee people out west. The museum chronicles the history of this territory.

The museum offers tours and exhibits, as well as the Rose Hill School, which offers a living history exhibition showing modern day schoolchildren what school was like in the days of the single-room schoolhouse. The site offers visitor information, a brief history of Cherokee outlet, as well as nine online exhibits and information about upcoming events.

Fort Ticonderoga National Historic Landmark [NY]

Description

Fort Ticonderoga is located in upstate New York, and is famous for its pivotal roles in the French and Indian War and, more importantly, the Revolutionary War. However, the fort is much more than a restored military fortress. A typical visit to the fort will include rich and varied offerings including costumed interpreters, 30-minute guided tours, a world class museum, daily musket demonstrations, and self-guided tours of the Fort.

The site offers a detailed history of the fort, an events calendar, visitor information, and information regarding major events and educational programs. The site also offers a page for educators detailing Fort Ticonderoga's participation in National History Day, which is on February 27th.

Stephen Decatur House Museum [DC]

Description

The Stephen Decatur House is one of the oldest surviving homes in Washington, DC and one of only three remaining residential buildings in the country designed by Benjamin Henry Latrobe, who has been called the father of American architecture. The home was completed in 1818, and has been home to many prominent figures over the course of its history both due to its neoclassical architecture as well as its location across from the White House. The location offers visitors a glimpse into nearly 200 years of Washington history through a variety of permanent and special exhibits. Currently, the house is undergoing an extensive renovation, though exhibits continue to be open for visitors.

The website offers brief biographies of all house owners, a history of the Lafayette Square neighborhood; information on all special events and programs, including educational tours and other programs designed for schoolchildren; an online museum shop; and visitor information.

The house offers exhibits, tours, educational programs, and occasional recreational and educational programs.

Knott House Museum [FL]

Description

The Knott House Museum was first built in the early 1800s, and opened as a museum in 1992. Today, visitors to the museum will take a step back in time as they enter the house, as the house is furnished in its original, Victorian-era furniture. Upstairs, visitors are treated to two exhibits on the history of Tallahassee and the Knott family's special role in that history.

The site offers a brief history of the Knott house as well as visitor information.

Jefferson Davis State Historic Site [KY]

Description

The Jefferson Davis State Historic Site marks the 1808 birthplace of the famous statesman, Jefferson Davis. Davis is most well known for serving as the first and only president of the Confederacy during the Civil War. The state historic site features a 351 foot tall monument to Davis as well as a visitor center, which features exhibits detailing Davis's political life before and after the Civil War, as well as historical artifacts and books regarding Kentucky and the Civil War.

The site offers an introductory film, exhibits, and a guided elevator tour. The website offers information regarding educational activities, specifically tours and field trips, visitor information, and very brief historical information about the life and times of Jefferson Davis.

Indian King Tavern Museum [NJ]

Description

The Indian King Tavern, built circa 1750 by a wealthy Philadelphia merchant and ship owner named Matthias Aspden, is a fine example of an early American public house and tavern. The tavern was originally built as a three-and-one-half story brick building. By 1764, it had been enlarged to 24 rooms with five cellars. On its north elevation, a two-story addition was constructed. Commonly referred to as "the ark," this part of the building was used in connection with tavern operations. Thomas Redman purchased the property in 1775. Redman, a Quaker, quickly raised the ire of local patriots with his outspoken pacifism. In January 1777, he was arrested and jailed for his frequent public pacifist readings. Shortly after his release from prison in May of that same year, he sold the tavern to Hugh Creighton. Creighton continued to operate the premises as a tavern and inn, retaining Thomas Smith, the innkeeper for previous owner Thomas Redman. Before long, Smith and the tavern's new owner found themselves at the center of political events that would forever change the course of history for the colony of New Jersey and the nation.

The museum offers tours.