Beatty Museum & Historical Society [NV]

Description

The Beatty Museum and Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the historical heritage of the Bullfrog Mining District and Southern Nye County. The museum chronicles the history of the area, from its prehistoric origins through the Bullfrog gold rush.

The museum offers guided tours and exhibits of local history. The website offers visitor information, a history of the area, and online research resources.

American Journeys

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Image for American Journeys
Annotation

These 181 firsthand accounts of North American and Canadian exploration range from Viking stories such as The Saga of Eric the Red from circa 1,000 CE to journal entries written in the early 19th century on a trapping expedition in the Southwest. Documents include the Original Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, 1804–1806. Materials include rare books, original manuscripts, and classic travel narratives.

Users can browse the full archive or by expedition, settlement, geographic region, and U.S. state or Canadian province. Each document is individually searchable and accompanied by a short background essay and a reference map. There are also 150 images available, including woodcuts, drawings, paintings, and photographs. Highlights follows the collection chronologically and connects moments in American history with eyewitness accounts.

Independence Mine State Historical Park [AK]

Description

The Independence Mine State Historic Park commemorates the early history of Alaska, which first became populated during the gold rushes of the late 129th century. Gold was first discovered in the Independence Mine area in 1886, and within 20 years two major mines were operating in the area. Today, large portions of the mines are open to visitors year round.

The State Historical Park offers self-guided as well as guided tours, a visitor center, and a museum. The website offers visitor information and a history of the park.

The Miller Place - Mount Sinai Historical Society [NY]

Description

The Miller Place - Mount Sinai Historical Society has two historical properties that can be toured in the summer or by appointment at other times of the year. The Miller House was built in 1720 on land bought by Andrew Miller Sr., an English immigrant who worked as a cooper, in 1670. The other property, the 1820 Daniel Hawkins House was home of the Hawkins family from Setauket and is located just east of the Miller house.

Tours are available upon appointment. There is no specific educational programming for school groups so the teacher will have to work with the museum to design a field trip.

Winterville Mounds [MS]

Description

The Winterville Mounds comprise the remains of a religious and ceremonial center used by an unidentified Native American population between circa 1000 and 1450. After 1450, the site appears to have been entirely abandoned. The people who made use of the mounds were a scattered farming culture located throughout the Yazoo-Mississippi River Delta basin. A few high-ranking individuals appear to have lived near the mounds.

The site offers exhibits.

Erie County Historical Society and Museum [PA]

Description

The Erie County Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the unique historical heritage of Erie, Pennsylvania, and the surrounding area. The society runs two museums, the Battles Museums of Rural Life and the Museum of Erie County History, and also operates two historic house museums, the Cashier's House and the Watson-Curtze Mansion. Finally, the society owns and operates the Erie Planetarium, a prime attraction for school groups and visitors of all ages.

The society offers guided tours, exhibits, traveling exhibits, school outreach programs featuring 60-90 minute presentations, planetarium shows, and special events. The website offers visitor information, histories of the society and its attractions, a calendar of events, and information regarding the educational programs offered by the society.

Douglas County Museum of Natural & Cultural History [OR]

Description

Douglas County traverses an amazing variety of terrain, from the snowcapped peaks of the Cascade mountains to the Pacific Ocean. The Douglas County Museum of Natural & Cultural History chronicles human history in Douglas County, from the Umpqua tribe which first settled the area 10,000 years ago until the present day, and also pays special attention to the history of mining, fishing, farming, and logging, all of which have been an integral part of the Douglas County economy.

The museum offers exhibits, guided tours, outreach programs, and special events such as presentations and lectures. The website offers visitor information, a history of the museum, information regarding museum programs, and an events calendar.

Historic Forestville [MN]

Description

Historic Forestville presents life in 1899 Forestville, Minnesota. Once a bustling trade center, in 1868 the Southern Minnesota Railroad built tracks elsewhere, bypassing the town and significantly impacting its economy. 31 years later, the town's 50 residents all worked for Thomas Meighen (1855-1936); and were paid in housing and store credit. The historic town is interpreted via living history docents, who depict the Meighens and their employees. Five historic structures remain on site: the store, Meighen home, barn, carriage barn, and granary. All crops on site are heirloom varieties and are open pollinated.

The site offers one-hour tours guided by living history figures, costumed interpreters, demonstrations, heirloom crops, and summer camps. The website offers historic photographs and a suggested reading list.

Saline Area Historical Society [MI]

Description

Saline was first settled due to its natural salt springs. Local Native American tribes had harvested salt from the salt springs for centuries before the French discovered the springs in the 18th century. The local river was dubbed the Saline River after the French word for salt.

The society hosts several exhibits and lectures throughout the year, and also offers walking tours of Saline, Michigan, and a giftshop. The website offers visitor information, a brief history of Saline, information about the events and exhibits offered by the society, an events calendar, and online access to the gift shop.

Calico Ghost Town [CA]

Description

"Calico was developed in 1881 during the largest silver strike in California. Located at the side of towering King Mountain, the town was named for the variety of colors in the mountain that were "as purty as a gal's calico skirt." Calico boomed during 1881-1896; but the end came to the silver rush in 1896 and by 1904 Calico had become a ghost town." Today, Calico is a fully restored living history location and contains a museum. Visitors to Calico can tour the historic structures that have been restored to their late 1800s state and interact with trained historical interpreters.

The site offers visitor information, an events calendar, museum information, and an area map.