Pilgrim Memorial State Park [MA]

Description

The Pilgrim Memorial State Park commemorates the 1620 landing of European settlers in New England. Plymouth Rock, a boulder on the shore of Plymouth Harbor, has become a world-famous symbol of the courage and faith of the men and women who founded the first New England colony. A landscaped waterfront park provides views of Plymouth Harbor, in which the Mayflower II is anchored. There are no precise records of the Mayflower's construction, but the Mayflower II is a replica of the class of vessel most likely to have brought the first pilgrims to Massachusetts. Also in the park, the National Monument to the Forefathers honors the pilgrims of the Mayflower.

The park offers exhibits and living history interpreters aboard the Mayflower II.

Old Economy Village [PA]

Description

Old Economy Village interprets the history of the Harmony Society, a highly successful 19th-century religious communal society, and preserves and interprets the unique material culture of the Society during its period of residence in Beaver County, PA, for citizens of and visitors to the Commonwealth.

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

Gomez Mill House Museum [NY]

Description

The Gomez Mill House, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, is the oldest standing Jewish Dwelling in North America. Built in 1720, the home was originally intended as a trading post for local colonists. Today, the home is open to visitors as a historic house museum.

The home offers tours, exhibits, and special events, including educational activities and guest lecturers. The website offers visitor information, a history of the building, information on all past occupants, and information regarding upcoming events.

Town Creek Indian Mound [NC]

Description

For more than a thousand years, Indians farmed on lands later known as North Carolina. Around A.D. 1200, a new cultural tradition arrived in the Pee Dee River Valley. Termed "Pee Dee" by archaeologists, it was part of a widespread tradition known as "South Appalachian Mississippian." These Native Americans established a political and ceremonial center at the Town Creek and Little Rivers. Here, visitors can now see a reconstructed ceremonial center, featuring a temple mound and major temple, minor temple, and burial hut.

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

Enfield Shaker Museum [NH]

Description

The Enfield Shaker Museum is located in the "Great Stone Dwelling," the largest Shaker building in the world. Built in 1841, it served as a dwelling for Shakers until it was sold in 1927. Today, visitors can tour the building and its grounds for a view into Shaker life during the 19th century.

The museum offers exhibits, special programs, concerts, guided tours, and craft demonstrations, as well as a collection of Shaker furniture, tools, clothing, photographs, and agricultural implements. School tours may be customized for any grade level. The website offers visitor information, a history of the museum, a photo tour of the museum and surrounding village, and a calendar of events.

Mission Houses Museum [HI]

Description

Built between 1821 and 1841, the three mission houses that make up the Museum served as homes and workplaces for the first Christian missionaries to travel to the Hawaiian Islands. The Frame House (Ka Hale La'āu), was shipped around Cape Horn from Boston in 1820 and is the oldest wood house in Hawai'i. The Chamberlain House (Ka Hale Kamalani), built of coral blocks in 1831, was both a family home and storehouse for mission supplies. The third building, also of coral blocks, completed in 1841, today functions as the Printing Office (Ka Hale Pa'i). A working replica of the first printing press to be brought to Hawai'i is demonstrated there on a regular basis. In addition, the Museum grounds are the location of the Hawaiian Mission Children's Society (HMCS) library. Among the library's artifacts are the earliest books printed in the Hawaiian language. These books were used by missionaries and scholars alike in church and school.

The museum offers exhibits, tours, demonstrations, workshops, lectures, and other educational and recreational programs.

Western Historic Trails Center [IA]

Description

The Center prepares visitors for an adventure along the western historic trails. Here, they can receive an orientation for trips north following the Lewis and Clark Trail or for trips west following the routes of early travelers on the Oregon, Mormon, and California Trails. They can enter the Lied Historical Building on the Path of Names to enjoy educational exhibits, maps, films, and sculpture.

The site offers short films, exhibits, and occasional recreational and educational events (including living history events).

Museum of Indian Arts and Culture [NM]

Description

The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, one of four museums in the Museum of New Mexico system, is a premier repository of Native art and material culture. It tells the stories of the people of the Southwest from prehistory through the present day. The museum serves the public through changing exhibitions, public lectures, field trips, artist residencies, and other educational programs.

The museum offers a variety of events and exhibits to the public, several thematic tours designed for schoolchildren, tours for adults and other museum guests, and research materials and collections for researchers. The website offers visitor information; a history of the museum; online resources, including podcasts and online exhibitions; information on upcoming events; and information regarding the programs and exhibits offered by the museum.

Shaker Historical Museum [OH]

Description

The Shaker Museum is housed in a mansion overlooking Upper Shaker Lake. The museum exhibits a large collection of Shaker objects. Many are from North Union, a Shaker colony founded in 1822 and located in what is now the city of Shaker Heights. The museum also has a library with collections from both the 19th-century Shakers and 20th-century Shaker Heights. By 1850, North Union was a prosperous community of 200. At first it sold produce and handmade furniture to nearby communities. Cleveland's mass production industries eventually put them out of business. The colony disbanded in 1889.

The museum offers exhibits, tours, lectures, and research library access.

Lac qui Parle Mission [MN]

Description

The Lac qui Parle Mission was founded in 1826 on the Minnesota River. The mission only lasted 20 years before the missionaries were forced out by Dakota opposition. Luckily, the mission has stood the test of time, and today is much the same as it was during the site's brief existence as a mission. The location is notable for creating the Dakota alphabet and for the translation of the Bible into the Dakota's language.

The site offers brief historical and visitor information regarding the site.