South Dakota State Historical Society and Museum [SD]

Description

The South Dakota State Historical Society was first organized as the Old Settlers Association of Dakota Territory in 1862. Today, the society is an office within the Department of Tourism and Economic Development, and manages five programs—archaeology, archives, historic preservation, museum, and research and publishing. All programs with the exception of the State Archaeological Research Center are located in the Cultural Heritage Center building in Pierre.

The site offers library access, research information, visitor information regarding the museum, a listing of all exhibits with photographs and a brief synopsis, and on online store for society publications.

Castle Museum [MI]

Description

The 1898 Castle Federal building is located in downtown Saginaw, Michigan. The building was saved from demolition by the Saginaw County Historical Society, and was put on the National Register of Historic Places in the 1970s. Today, the building operates as a museum of Saginaw County history as well as a monument to its own architectural and functional history. The building houses a library and archives, offices, meeting spaces, an archaeological lab, and a repository, as well as ample exhibit space for the museum.

The museum offers summer camps and tours for students. The website offers visitor and historical information regarding the Castle building, an online museum store, a listing of current exhibits, and an events calendar.

Huntington Homestead Museum [CT]

Description

"The Huntington Homestead in Scotland, Connecticut, is the birthplace of Samuel Huntington, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a distinguished statesman during the Revolutionary War and early Republic. The remarkably well-preserved site includes an eighteenth century house on its original foundation surrounded by acres of farmland, bordered by Merrick Brook." The house now serves as a historic house museum, and is open to visitors from May through October.

The site offers historical information about the museum and Samuel Huntington, visitor information, an archives section featuring old newsletters and site information, an online museum store, and links to other resources, such as biographies of Samuel Huntington and online historical resources in Connecticut.

Westfield-Washington Historical Society and Museum [IN]

Description

The Westfield-Washington Historical Society (WWHS) is dedicated to promoting community and statewide awareness of history and encouraging historic preservation among the public. Currently, the main project of the society is to operate the Westfield-Washington Historical Museum, which opened in April, 2008, and is located in the old fire station.

The site offers an events calendar, visitor information for the museum, an "endangered" section featuring properties in need of preservation, and an online store.

Longmeadow Historical Society and Storrs House [MA]

Description

The Longmeadow Historical Society, founded in 1899 and one of the oldest historical societies in the country, is dedicated to preserving the history of Longmeadow, MA, and more specifically, the Storrs House. The society is headquartered in the historic 1786 Storrs House, and also helps to preserve the "East Village" and Olde Burying Yard. In addition, the society maintains a small genealogical library.

The society offers tours of the Storrs House, period rooms, and self-guided tours of the Olde Burying Yard. The website offers extensive historical information regarding Longmeadow, the Storrs House, the "East Village," and the Olde Burying Yard. In addition, the site offers an events calendar, and external links to other historical resources.

Booker T. Washington National Monument [VA]

Description

The Booker T. Washington National Monument is located just outside of Roanoke, VA, and consists of the cabin and surrounding grounds where Booker T. Washington was born. Washington's achievements, including founding the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School and his various literary works belie his inauspicious birth as a slave in southwestern Virginia. Visitors to the monument can enjoy a variety of exhibits documenting the life and times of Washington, as well as view first-hand the life of a slave.

The site offers detailed historical and visitor information regarding the monument, as well as a calendar of events and a listing of all educational programs offered. In order to contact the monument via email, use the "contact us" link on the left side of the webpage.

Drake House Museum [NJ]

Description

The Drake House Museum is located in Planfield, NJ, and is owned and operated by the Historical Society of Plainfield. On permanent display in the house are three Colonial era rooms, the kitchen, the Queen Anne dining room, and the Washington bedroom. In addition, the parlor and Harberger Library are interpreted as period Victorian rooms. Thus, visitors to the house can view the house as it was throughout the early history of New Jersey.

The site offers brief historic and visitor information, an events calendar, information about the "Traveling Trunk," a traveling exhibits that shows a virtual tour of the house as well as several house artifacts, and an online newsletter.

The museum is currently closed for renovation.

Howard County Historical Society and Museum [IN]

Description

The Howard County Historical Society is dedicated to maintaining and showcasing the history of Howard County, IN. To this end, the society owns and operates a county historical museum which is located in the Seiberling Mansion, a beautiful 1891 Queen Anne and Romanesque Revival structure which has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In addition to the museum, the society runs a local history archives, which features thousands of archives and manuscripts chronicling Howard County's history. The archives are open to the public by appointment.

The site offers visitor information, information for prospective researchers, information regarding building rental, an online version of the society's newsletter, and an events calendar.

Plainsboro Historical Society [NJ]

Description

"The Plainsboro Historical Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the history of Plainsboro Township. The society operates the Plainsboro Museum, which is located in the historic Wicoff House, maintains the Bethel Cemetery, and puts on a variety of educational programs. The museum focuses local history, ranging from high school and youth sports to local businesses.

The site offers detailed descriptions and photographs of all 18 exhibits currently on display, visitor information, and an events calendar.