Iron Mission State Park Museum [UT]

Description

Iron Mission State Park Museum tells the story of development in Iron County when in the 1850s, Brigham Young sent Mormon missionaries here to mine and process iron. Museum displays include horse-drawn vehicles used from 1850 to 1920 and a collection of pioneer artifacts. An iron industry exhibit features the only known remaining artifact from the original foundry—the town bell. In addition to the permanent collections, changing special exhibits highlight artists from the local region, as well as rarely seen artifacts from the museum's collections. Other items of interest include several historic cabins, a large collection of horse-drawn farm equipment, and a replicated pioneer household. In addition, Iron Mission now manages the historic ruins of Old Iron Town, an iron foundry west of Cedar City that operated in the 1860s—1870s.

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

Rachel Carson Homestead [PA]

Description

The Rachel Carson Homestead preserves the farmhouse in which Rachel Carson (1907-1964), famed author and environmentalist, was born. Carson is best known for her 1962 book, Silent Spring which cautions against use of chemical pesticides without further research into the ways in which chemicals may alter the environment and/or human health. The site also includes a nature trail and organic garden.

The homestead offers one-hour guided tours of the house and grounds, a 1/4-mile trail with interpretive signage, a garden, summer camps, hands-on educational programs which correspond to state educational standards, and Scout programs. Reservations are required for tours of the house and for all groups of 15 or more. The website offers lesson plans and a suggested reading list.

Buckeye Furnace [OH]

Description

Buckeye Furnace is a reconstructed charcoal-fired iron blast furnace with original stack, typical of those operating in southeastern Ohio's Hanging Rock Iron Region more than a century ago. Visitors to this 270-acre site can see the furnace, originally built in 1852, which went out of blast for the last time in 1894. Attached to the furnace is the reconstructed casting shed. Above the furnace is the charging loft where iron ore, limestone, and charcoal were loaded into the furnace, and the engine house which contained a steam-powered compressor. The reconstructed company store serves as a visitor orientation area.

The site offers exhibits, tours, and educational programs.

Museum of Ceramics [OH]

Description

The East Liverpool Museum of Ceramics houses an extensive collection of the wares produced by "America's Crockery City." Related displays on the social, political, and economic history of this town show the impact of industry on the community. Ceramic manufacturing was more important in East Liverpool during the late 19th century than is steel production in Pittsburgh or automobile manufacturing in Detroit today. Located in the former city post office, the museum is a graphic example of the adaptive use of old buildings. The exhibits in the museum depict the growth and development of East Liverpool and its ceramic industry from 1840 to 1930, the period when the city's potteries produced over 50% of the ceramics manufactured in the United States. Through the skillful use of photographs, artifacts, and life-size dioramas, the exhibits vividly the products and life of one of Ohio's most unique cities.

A second website for the museum can be found here.

The museum offers a short film, exhibits, tours, lectures, educational programs, and occasional recreational and educational events.

Penn Station

Description

Greg Young and Tom Meyers explore the story of Pennsylvania Station, which involves more than just nostalgia for the long-gone temple of transportation designed by McKim, Meade, and White. In this podcast, find out why the original Penn Station was built to look so classical, why it was then torn down, and what strange behaviors the tunnels that connect it to New Jersey exhibit every night.

Woolworth Building

Description

According to the Bowery Boys' website, "F.W. Woolworth was the self-made king of retail's newfangled "five and dime" store and his pockets were overflowing with cash. Meanwhile, in New York, the contest to build the tallest building was underway. The two combine to create one of Manhattan's most handsome buildings, cutting a Gothic profile designed by America's hottest architect of the early century. So what does it all have to do with sneakers and gym clothes?"

Taking It to the Streets

Description

From the BackStory website:

"Historian Peter Norton speaks with 20th Century History Guy Brian Balogh about how automobile companies in the 1920s managed to re-define streets as a space for cars, rather than pedestrians. And he explains the little-known history of the term 'jaywalker.'"

Faces of Science: African Americans in the Sciences

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Photo, Roger Arliner Young, Zoologist
Annotation

This site contains biographical profiles of over 200 African American men and women who have contributed to the advancement of science and engineering. The site provides brief (roughly 250 word) biographies of scholars from fields such as biology, chemistry, physics, zoology, and veterinary medicine, as well as inventors. Among the scientists included in the site are prominent figures like George Washington Carver, scientist and inventor of numerous industrial applications for agricultural products, and astronomer and mathematician Benjamin Banneker.

Each entry also includes a bibliography of sources for further biographical information. The site is indexed by scientist name and profession, and there are special sections for the biographies of 20 women scientists and 14 of the first African Americans to receive PhDs in science. Though there are no primary documents on this site, it is a good place to find general information on prominent African American scientists throughout American history.

Dox Thrash: An African American Master Printmaker Rediscovered

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Graphite and brown pencil, "Self-portrait," Dox Thrash, Early 1930s
Annotation

The art of Dox Thrash (1893-1965) is exhibited in more than 60 images—mostly reproductions of his prints, but also including drawings and photographs of the artist at work. Born in Griffin, GA, Thrash spent most of his life in Philadelphia, which he expressively documented in his artworks. The exhibit proceeds along a timeline from birth to death that allows visitors to read a biographical narrative placing his life in appropriate historical context and to view images relevant to each period. Texts and images also can be downloaded in PDF format. Thrash's prints illuminated aspects of African American community life in Philadelphia with scenes of street life, workers, domestic scenes, and leisure activities. Thrash also portrayed scenes drawn from his experience as a soldier in World War I, life on the road, and the lynching of blacks.

In addition to his artistic creations, Thrash invented a new and influential printmaking technique—the carborundum process—in the 1930s as he worked in the WPA Graphic Arts Workshop. The exhibit provides descriptions and images of nine techniques Thrash used, and also includes four audio files of the curator discussing the process of putting the exhibit together. Valuable for students of the history of art and for those interested in expressive depictions of African American life and culture in Philadelphia.

John D. Murray Fire Museum [NY]

Description

The John D. Murray Fire Museum presents the history of the City of Oswego fire department, founded in 1876. Collections include three historic fire engines from between 1925 and 1952.

The museum offers exhibits. The museum is open between the beginning of June and Labor Day. Please call to make an appointment if you are unable to visit during the posted hours.