Pilgrim Hall Museum [MA]

Description

The Pilgrim Hall Museum presents the possessions and history of the Pilgrims. Collection highlights include the only portrait featuring a Pilgrim to be painted from life, the Bible of William Bradford (1590-1657), and the sword of Myles Standish (c. 1584-1656). The museum also presents Wampanoag history and a wide variety of paintings depicting important historical U.S. events.

The museum offers exhibits, as well as guided tours for groups. Reservations are required for guided tours.

Old Economy Village [PA]

Description

The Old Economy Village is located in western Pennsylvania and is known for being the third, and most successful, home of the Harmonists, a utopian society known for its religious devotion and economic prosperity. In particular, the Harmonists were an economic force in the textile industry and agriculture. Today, the Old Economy Village stands as a historic village, and is open to visitors during the spring, summer, and fall months.

The Old Economy Village offers guided tours, exhibits and special events in the visitor center, and occasional historic trade workshops. The website offers visitor information, historical information and a calendar of events. In order to contact Old Economy Village via email, use the "email" link located on the left side of the webpage.

St. Ignatius Mission [MT]

Description

St. Ignatius Mission is an 1890s religious structure located in the present-day Flathead Indian Reservation. The mission contains 61 paintings by one of its brothers. Paintings include depictions of the Salish Lord. A museum presents artifacts related to both the mission and Native American peoples.

The mission offers exhibits.

Willamette Mission State Park [OR]

Description

The Willamette Mission State Park commemorates the location of the first mission created for Native Americans, founded 1834 by Reverend Jason Lee. The Wheatland Ferry, which carried the first covered wagon across the Willamette River in 1844, also has a landing in the park.

The park offers a monument, ghost structures (framed outlines) indicating the original buildings, and interpretive signage.

Historic Huguenot Street [NY]

Description

Historic Huguenot Street presents the story of 12 Huguenot refugees who travelled from southern Belgium and Northern France to the United States in 1678, where they bought land from the Esopus people and created a community in what is now New Paltz, New York. The six-acre site includes seven stone houses dating to the early 1700s, a burial ground, and a reconstructed 1717 stone church—all in their original setting. Architectural styles include Hudson Valley Dutch, early Georgian, Queen Anne, and Colonial Revival. Archives focus on local history and genealogical documentation.

The site offers exhibits, period rooms for the 1700s and circa 1915, guided tours tailored to group interest, summer archaeology and educational programming, historic craft activities, a colonial-themed overnight program, a variety of educational modules which meet New York educational standards, and library and archival access. The website offers an online library catalog.

The Oliver House Museum [NY]

Description

The Oliver House Museum is a historic house museum, focusing on the years 1852 through 1942. The 1852 Italianate structure contains artifacts from the family who resided in the home, as well as from the Yates County Genealogical & Historical Society collections. Topics covered by exhibits include Jemima Wilkinson (1752-1819), the first U.S. woman to found a religious movement (the Universal Friends), and Native Americans.

The museum offers guided tours and unguided exploration, period rooms, and exhibits.

Historic St. Mary's City [MD]

Description

Historic St. Mary's City presents the first capital of Maryland and fourth permanent British New World settlement via living history interpretation. Sites include the reconstructed 1676 State House, the square-rigger Maryland Dove, a working tobacco plantation, and a Yaocomaco Native American settlement. St. Mary's is an early example of government supported freedom of religion.

The museum offers exhibits, interpretive signage, an audio tour, self-guided tours, four hour school tours which complement state educational standards, hands-on activities, and picnic areas. Reservations are required for school and group tours. The website offers a virtual tour and children's activities.

Ephrata Cloister [PA]

Description

One of America's earliest religious communities, the Ephrata Cloister was founded in 1732 by German settlers seeking spiritual goals rather than earthly rewards. Gathered in unique European style buildings, the community consisted of celibate Brothers and Sisters, and a married congregation of families. At the zenith of the community in the 1740s and 1750s, about 300 members worked and worshiped at the Cloister.

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