Historic Saranac Lake and Saranac Laboratory [NY]

Description

Historic Saranac Lake maintains ownership of Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau's 1894 Saranac Laboratory, which was founded for the study of tuberculosis. The building survives as a tangible reminder of the possibility and optimism Trudeau sustained despite the struggle and loss of so many to this debilitating disease.

The organization offers educational programs and occasional recreational and educational events; the Laboratory is not yet open to the public, although restoration is in progress.

Lakeshore Museum Center [MI]

Description

The main Museum showcases exhibits on local natural and cultural history. The Hackley and Hume Historic Site preserves the homes of Muskegon's most famous lumber baron, Charles H. Hackley, and his business partner, Thomas Hume. The site envelops the visitor in a unique living space, bringing late 19th-century craftsmanship to life. The Fire Barn Museum serves as a living memorial to the brave men and women who have served as Muskegon County firefighters and exhibits firefighting equipment. The Scolnik House recreates the lifestyle of a Depression-era family.

The museum offers exhibits, educational programs, research library access, and occasional recreational and educational events; the Hackley and Hume Historic Site offers tours; the Fire Barn Museum offers exhibits; the Scolnik House offers tours.

County of Los Angeles Fire Museum [CA]

Description

One of the museum's first donated pieces was the famous Squad 51 from the hit television show Emergency! Since then, the collection has grown from a dozen or so antique fire engines to more than 40 dating back to the 1860s. Additionally, uniforms, badges, helmets, photographs, and many other artifacts are being resurrected and preserved as lucent examples of the County fire service.

The museum offers exhibits, but is only open to the public on a few days over the course of the year.

Nantucket Historical Association, Whaling Museum, and Historic Sites [MA]

Description

The Association operates several museums and historic sites, including the Whaling Museum, Hadwen House, Oldest House, Old Mill, Old Gaol, Quaker Meeting House, and the Hose-cart House. The Museum displays exhibits tracing the history of the New England whaling industry. The Hadwen House is a Greek Revival mansion built in 1845 by whaling merchant and silver retailer William Hadwen. Also called the Jethro Coffin House, the Oldest House is the oldest residence on Nantucket. Built as a wedding gift in 1686 for Jethro Coffin and Mary Gardner, it is the sole surviving structure from the island's original 17th-century English settlement. The Old Mill, built in 1746 by Nathan Wilbur, a Nantucket sailor who had spent time in Holland, is the oldest functioning mill in the country. The Old Gaol was opened in 1806; the wooden structure represents colonial architecture with exceptional reinforcements. The Quaker (Friends) Meeting House was erected in 1838 and originally served as a Friends School for the Wilburite Sect. The Fire Hose-cart House is the last remaining 19th-century firehouse on the island, dating from 1886.

The association offers tours, lectures, classes, research library access, and recreational and educational events; the Museum offers exhibits; the Hadwen House offers tours; the Oldest House offers tours; the Old Mill offers tours and demonstrations; the Old Gaol is open to the public; the Quaker Meeting House is open to the public and offers lectures; the Hose-cart House is open to the public.

Railtown 1897 State Historic Park [CA]

Description

Located in Jamestown, in the heart of California's Gold Country about 100 miles southeast of Sacramento, Railtown 1897 State Historic Park is home to the Historic Jamestown Shops and Roundhouse—an intact and still-functioning steam locomotive repair and maintenance facility, portions of which date back to 1897. This one-of-a-kind attraction combines industrial heritage and railroad history with the lore of Hollywood’s film industry. The Railtown 1897 Interpretive Center and the authentic roundhouse are among the Park's unique year-round offerings.

A second, individual website for the park can be found here.

The park offers train rides, exhibits, tours, and educational and recreational events.

St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum [FL]

Description

The Museum seeks to discover, preserve, present, and keep alive the story of the nation's oldest port, as symbolized by the working St. Augustine Lighthouse. Constructed of Alabama brick and Philadelphia iron in 1874, the lighthouse is St. Augustine's oldest surviving brick structure. In 1876, a brick lightkeeper's house was added to the site. Lightkeepers and their assistants lived and worked there until the tower was automated in 1955.

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

Ducktown Basin Museum and Burra Burra Mine Site [TN]

Description

The Burra Burra Mine site consists of 10 buildings located on 17 acres and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The mine was in operation from 1899 to 1959. The site was also the mining company's surface headquarters from 1902 to 1976. Buildings on the site include the mine office, shop building, change house, hoist house, and powder house. Copper mining took place in the Ducktown Basin, site of the Burra Burra Mine and several other mines, from 1850 to 1987. The Burra Burra Mine received its name from the basin's copper deposit, which in turn was named for a copper deposit of similar size in Australia. The museum interprets the basin's history through audiovisual and artifact exhibits and examples of the kinds of equipment used in the mines. The history of the Cherokee Nation, including its removal from the basin, is also presented.

The site offers exhibits.

Independence Seaport Museum [PA]

Description

Visitors to the Independence Seaport Museum can view its galleries of exhibits; the Workshop on the Water, a wooden boatbuilding workshop inside the Museum; and the Spanish-American War cruiser USS Olympia and the World War II submarine USS Becuna.

The museum offers exhibits, tours, classes, educational programs, film screenings, and recreational and educational programs.