Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site [HI]

Description

Built between 1790–91 by Kamehameha I, Pu'ukohola Heiau displays the skill of chiefs, men, women, and children under the astute leadership of Kamehameha I. With the assistance of two stranded European sailors, John Young and Isaac Davis, Kamehameha I extended his reign over all Hawaiian Islands. The remains of John Young’s homestead may be toured at the site.

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

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument [NM]

Description

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument consists of 1,100 acres containing the ruins of four mission churches, located at Quarai, Abó, and Gran Quivira, in addition to the partially excavated pueblo of Las Humanas, otherwise known as Gran Quivira. Originally inhabited by the American Indian trade communities of Tiwa- and Tompiro-speaking Puebloans, in the early 17th century Spanish Franciscans visited the area and found it ripe for their missionary efforts. As of 1677 the entire Salinas District was depopulated of both Indian and Spaniard alike.

The monument offers museums, three historic sites, and an interpretive trail.

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park [TX]

Description

The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is located along the San Antonio River and is comprised of four historic missions and the surrounding land. Visitors can enjoy sections of unaltered river, centuries old irrigation systems, church services in the historic missions, and exhibits in the historical park's museum.

The park offers curriculum-based programs for schoolchildren, tours, ranger led activities, and periodic special events including guest lectures. The website offers historical information regarding the park, visitor information, and resources for teachers including primary sources and online activities. In order to contact the park via email, use the "contact us" link located on the left side of the webpage.

Pipestone National Monument [MN]

Description

The Pipestone National Monument was established by Congress in 1937 in order to protect historic pipestone quarries, considered sacred by many American Indians. Today, visitors can tour the quarries, where American Indians continue to quarry stone for sacred pipes today.

The park offers tours and interpretive events during the spring, summer, and fall months. The website offers a history of the site as well as visitor information.

Whitman Mission National Historic Site [WA]

Description

The Whitman Mission was founded in present day Washington in 1836. The Mission was integrated tightly with the local Native American community. By the 1840s, the Whitman Mission had become an important stop for westward-bound immigrants, and in 1847 a wagon train brought measles to the mission. Unfortunately, while the white children recovered, the local Cayuse tribe was devastated. Shortly thereafter two Cayuse killed the Whitmans along with a dozen others, in what is known as the Whitman Massacre. The historical site contains a memorial to the Whitman Mission and dead Cayuse along with a visitor center where visitors can read about the history of the location and the early Pacific Northwest. Exhibits compare the lifestyle of the Whitmans and the Cayuse.

The site offers a 10-minute slide presentation, exhibits, outdoor activities, demonstrations for student groups, traveling trunks, Junior Ranger activities, and picnic shelters. The website offers in depth historical information regarding the mission, the Cayuse, and westward-bound emigrants. In addition, the site offers an events calendar, visitor information, craft instructions, and pre-visit activity suggestions. In order to contact the site via email, use the "contact us" link located on the left side of the webpage.

Tumacacori National Historical Park [AZ]

Description

Tumacacori National Historical Park protects three Spanish colonial mission ruins in southern Arizona. Each of the ruins has a modern adobe structure on it, and the Tumacacori ruin now is home to the park visitor center.

The park offers hiking, guided tours, ranger-led activities, presentations, field trip programs, and a traveling trunk program. The website offers historical and cultural information about the park, visitor information, and online curriculum materials. In order to contact the park, use the "contact us" link located on the left side of the webpage.

De Soto National Memorial [FL]

Description

The De Soto National Memorial commemorates Spaniard Hernando de Soto's (circa 1496-1542) 1539 arrival at Tampa Bay. Following the landing, de Soto and his men encountered, and in some cases fought, local Native American groups over the course of four years. Collections include historic arms and armor. Between December and April, the site offers re-enactments and demonstrations at Camp Uzita.

The park offers a 22-minute introductory film, exhibits, helmets and armor for guests to try on, guided walking tours, nature trails with interpretive signage and wayside exhibits, 40-minute outreach presentations, Junior Ranger activities, Junior Ranger camps, and a picnic area. The website offers a suggested reading list.

Pipe Spring National Monument [AZ]

Description

The Pipe Spring National Monument recounts the history of the American West, commemorating the American Indians and Mormon pioneers of Arizona. The grounds consist of the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians Visitor Center and Museum, an 1872 Mormon fort, historic buildings, farm animals, an orchard, garden, and ½ mile trail.

Group tours led by park rangers are available for school groups. Ranger talks and demonstrations on Indian crafts and pioneer lifestyles are also available at different times of the year.

Sitka National Historical Park [AK]

Description

The 113-acre Sitka National Historical Park commemorates the 1804 Battle of Sitka, the last major clash between the Tlingit and Russians. The site offers information on Tlingit culture, the Russian legacy within the United States, the battle, and the local environment. Key sights include a visitor's center and the 1843 Russian Bishop's House, one of a handful of remaining Russian colonial structures. Collections consist of more than 154,000 artifacts.

The park offers a 12-minute introductory film, exhibits, period rooms, demonstrations, Junior Ranger activities, beach exploration packs, curriculum-based education programs, and outreach programs. During the summer, ranger-led programs are also offered. The Russian Bishop's House is not wheelchair accessible. Visitors unable to enter the home can view an audiovisual program. The website offers historic photographs, an electronic field trip, a virtual tours of the Russian Bishop's House and totem pole trail, a teacher's guide, a salmon coloring book, interactive wildlife activities, a salmon jigsaw puzzle, and Web Ranger activities.

Touro Synagogue National Historic Site [RI]

Description

The Touro Synagogue was dedicated in 1762, and serves an active congregation today. The congregation was founded in 1658 by Sephardim who fled the Inquisition in Spain and Portugal and were searching for a haven from religious persecution in the Caribbean. Today, the synagogue celebrates not only their story, but serves to honor all who came to this shore seeking to worship freely.

A second website for the synagogue can be found here.

The site offers tours.