Western Heritage Center [MT]

Description

The Western Heritage Center seeks to share the human history of the Yellowstone River Valley and the Northern Plains. The center ventures to do so through all relevant perspectives, including those of Native Americans, U.S. military men, Asians, Africans, Europeans, Russians, and French trappers. Permanent exhibits include the artistic works of J.K. Ralston (1896-1987), his studio cabin, and an overview of Montana's Native American tribes. The latter exhibit presents Crow and Northern Cheyenne oral histories gathered by the center. The site is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.

The museum offers exhibits, period rooms, student tours of exhibits, museum and historic site tours for a wide variety of groups, archive access, monthly presentations, traveling exhibits, and traveling trunks. Archive access is by appointment only. The website offers a virtual exhibit.

Phoenix Museum of History [AZ]

Description

The Phoenix Museum of History presents the historical development of Phoenix, AZ and the Salt River Valley. Exhibits topics include the first area general store, local people and places of note, and the Hohokam, among other subjects. Main interpretive focuses include archaeology, prehistory, family life, transportation, business, industry, and architecture.

The museum offers exhibits, curriculum-based program and tour options, a fourth grade outreach program, Scout programs, and research library access. Student programs must be scheduled at least four weeks in advance.

Chenango County Historical Society Museum [NY]

Description

The Chenango County Historical Society Museum presents the local history of Chenango County, NY. The museum is housed within the 1892 Ward School No. 2. Exhibits address Native American life, railways, the Chenango Canal, china, glassware, military history, costume, Victorian life, pioneer life, and local craft and medical trades. The site also includes an 1800 through 1850 period room and an 1854 schoolhouse.

The museum offers exhibits, a period room, research library access, and research assistance. The schoolhouse is open by request. Please call in cases of severe weather to ascertain that the museum is open. A fee is charged for genealogical research conducted upon request. Advance notice is requested for library use.

Beckman Mill Park [WI]

Description

The 50-acre Beckman Mill Park contains an 1840s cooperage; a fish ladder; dam; vintage saw mill, blacksmith shop, and creamery displays; and an 1868 grist mill with an operating water-powered Leffel turbine. The mill has been restored to its 1920s appearance. The fish ladder is a graded water passageway which allows fish to move between the two bodies of water separated by the dam.

The park offers exhibits, period rooms, guided mill tours, student tours, and bus group tours. Reservations are required for student and bus group tours.

Windham Textile and History Museum [CT]

Description

The Windham Textile and History Museum presents the history and influence of the U.S. textile industry. Particular focus is given to 1870 through 1920 cotton thread manufacturers in eastern Connecticut; the ethnicity, duties, and recreation of mill workers; and the role of mill managers and employees in U.S. industrialization. The museum is housed within two 1877 structures, once part of the Willimantic Linen Company complex.

The museum offers exhibits, 90-minute guided student tours, hands-on activities for students, slide presentations for students, outreach programs for students, and research library access. The library offers materials on mills, immigration, Connecticut history, and textiles. The website offers PowerPoint presentations for use in the classroom, short videos, and worksheets.

Gem County Historical Society and Historical Village Museum [ID]

Description

The Gem County Historical Society of Gem County, ID operates the Historical Village Museum. The museum complex contains a museum of the history of Emmett, ID; the circa 1900 cottage of the fifth governor of Idaho (1901-1903), Frank W. Hunt; the Little Red Schoolhouse; the Bunkhouse; and the Blacksmith Shop. The Hunt cottage contains its original furnishings. The Bunkhouse presents information on indigenous animal species and the local cattle and sheep industries. Topics addressed in the local history museum include Native American life, irrigation, the fruit industry, settlers, trappers, and miners. Collection highlights include a "coyote gun" and a broom maker dating to the 1880s.

The society offers exhibits, period rooms, and presentations and tours for students.

Compass Inn Museum [PA]

Description

The Compass Inn Museum presents daily life, transportation, and the evolution of common linguistic phrases through the 19th century. The museum consists of a restored 1799 inn, furnished in period style; barn; blacksmith shop; and reconstructed cook house. Highlights include a Conestoga wagon; farrier tools, used to shoe horses; and a 1700s open hearth and beehive oven.

The museum offers period rooms, 90-minute guided living history tours, student tours, and picnic benches. The museum is open May through October. Reservations are required for groups of 20 or more, and requested for groups of 10 or more. Student tours include a pre-visit package, a scavenger hunt, and optional hands-on activities.