Martha's Vineyard Preservation Trust [MA]

Description

The Martha's Vineyard Preservation Trust preserves the structures and history of Martha's Vineyard. The trust owns nine historic properties, including the 1672 Vincent House, the 1840 Dr. Daniel Fisher House, and 1843 Old Whaling Church.

The trust offers tours of the Vincent House, which is furnished to depict life and architecture on the island during the last four centuries, and the Fisher House and Whaling Church. The trust also operates the Flying Horses Carousel, open continuously since 1876. The website offers visitor information, historic information regarding the island, and virtual tours of several properties.

Lake Winnipesaukee Historical Society and Museum [NH]

Description

The Lake Winnipesaukee Historical Society preserves the history of Lake Winnipesaukee, maintaining a museum of local history, open during spring, summer, and fall.

The museum offers several exhibits on local history, including "Souvenirs from the Past," "The Steamboat Era," "Waterskiing," and "Summer Camps on Lake Winnipesaukee." The society also offers a variety of special events, including trips to other local history museums, lectures, presentation, and tours of the lake. The website offers a brief history of the lake, the society, and the museum, as well as an events calendar and visitor information.

Will Rogers State Historic Park [CA]

Description

In the early 1930s, Will Rogers was the most popular and highest paid actor in Hollywood. From his start in vaudeville theater with a trick roping act, he rose to worldwide fame as a columnist, philosopher, radio personality, and movie star. During the 1920s, he bought land in Santa Monica, where he developed a ranch. Eventually, the Rogers's owned 186 acres overlooking the Pacific Ocean, in what is now known as Pacific Palisades. The ranch became the place where Will Rogers could relax with his family and friends, pursuing his favorite pastimes of riding and roping. At his untimely death in a plane crash in 1935, Will Rogers's ranch consisted of a 31-room ranch house, a stable, corrals, riding ring, roping arena, polo field, golf course, and hiking trails. When his widow, Betty, died in 1944, the ranch became a state park.

The park offers exhibits, tours, educational programs, and educational and recreational events.

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.

California Surf Museum [CA]

Description

The California Surf Museum preserves and showcases the history of the sport of surfing.

The museum offers a large collection of surfing equipment, including vintage surfboards. The museum puts on a variety of events, including concerts and educational programs and videos. Tours are available to the public year round and to groups by request. The website offers basic visitor information and information regarding upcoming events.

Louis Armstrong House and Archives [NY]

Description

In 1943, Louis Armstrong and his wife, Lucille, settled in a modest house in Corona, Queens, where they lived for the remainder of their lives. Today, the furnishings and the house are preserved very much as they were during the Armstrongs’ lifetime.

Today, visitors are offered guided 40-minute tours, as well as occasional special events. Group tours (8 or more) must be scheduled in advance. The museum also holds several collections of artifacts that are available to researchers by appointment. The website offers visitor information, information regarding upcoming events and current exhibits, and a biography of Louis Armstrong. In order to contact the house via email, use the "contact" link located under the "about us" tab.

Pearce-McAllister Cottage [CO]

Description

The Dutch Colonial Revival Pearce-McAllister Cottage, built in 1899, reflected the original owners' desires to have a cottage similar to those seen in the older districts of the eastern United States. The second owners, the McAllisters, remodeled the interior in the 1920s decor seen in the home. Today, the Pearce-McAllister Cottage is home to the Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls, and Toys, which manages the site, and has exhibits throughout the house. The collection encompasses more than 10,000 items dating from 1680 through today.

A second website, focusing more closely on the Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls, and Toys that occupies the cottage, can be found here.

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

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame [MA]

Description

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame serves as the nation's main basketball Hall of Fame. Notable Hall of Famers include famed coach Phil Jackson, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Wilt Chamberlain.

The Hall of Fame offers visitors a series of exhibits designed to showcase the history of basketball as well as biographies and highlights of all Hall of Famers. The website offers a listing of all Hall of Famers with accompanying biographies, along with information about awards presented by the Hall, a biography of Coach Naismith, information on upcoming events, and a history of both basketball and the Hall.

Minnesota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame [MN]

Description

The Minnesota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame was first opened in 1992 in order to chronicle the history of amateur baseball in history since its beginning in 1857. The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to honor those who have dedicated their lives to amateur baseball progress, through playing the game as well as work in the community to keep amateur baseball alive and kicking. Members are not chosen solely by their statistics as a player, but also by their contribution to the game through volunteerism, fund raising, promotion, and general community involvement.

The Hall of Fame offers visitors a variety of exhibits and collections that showcase the history and progress of amateur baseball in Minnesota through the years. The site offers visitor information, online photographs and historical information regarding the Hall of Fame's uniform, equipment, and memorabilia collections, a listing of all Hall of Fame inductees, and an online store.

Kansas African American Museum [KS]

Description

The Kansas African American Museum is dedicated towards preserving the regional culture and lives of the African American population of Kansas. The museum was first created in 1974, and was put on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993. Now, the museum boasts a "varied collection of multi-media presentations, rare artifacts, African Art, original sculptures, paintings, musical scores, musical recordings and history of local musicians."

The museum offers exhibits. The website offers information about current exhibits, an online museum store, and information about upcoming events.