American Police Hall of Fame and Museum [FL]

Description

The American Police Hall of Fame and Museum, founded in 1960, is the nation's first national police museum and memorial dedicated to law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. Through interactive displays, simulators, and artifacts displays, the Museum educates the public about the history and current trends of American law enforcement. The Museum also features a state-of-the-art 24-lane indoor gun range and helicopter rides.

The museum offers a memorial chapel, exhibits on law enforcement, helicopter rides, and periodic special events. The website offers visitor information, an exhibit map, a virtual tour, police history, a calendar of events, and information about the memorial.

Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site [LA]

Description

The Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site, located along the Bayou Teche in southern Louisiana, preserves the 1815 plantation home Maison Olivier and presents a reproduction of an early 1800s Acadian farmstead, including a family home, outdoor kitchen, slave quarters, and barn.

The historic site offers tours, exhibits, and occasional special events. The website offers a history of the historic site, as well as visitor information, a short virtual tour, and a listing of nearby attractions.

Fort Lauderdale Fire and Safety Museum [FL]

Description

The Fort Lauderdale Fire and Safety Museum is located in Fire Station 3 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The museum is currently under construction, but is open to the public on Saturdays, and chronicles the history of the Fort Lauderdale Fire Department while working to educate the public and schoolchildren in basic fire safety.

The museum is currently under construction, and only offers limited exhibits and hours. When completed, the museum will have exhibits focusing on both fire safety and the history of the fire department, and will offer tours and field trip programs. The website offers visitor information, a virtual tour of the museum, information regarding exhibits and museum collections, and information regarding upcoming events.

Caldwell Birthplace [GA]

Description

The Caldwell Birthplace is a historic house museum showcasing the birthplace of famous author Erskine Caldwell. In addition to being preserved in its condition at the time of Caldwell's birth, the museum offers books written by and about Erskine Caldwell, items that belonged to Caldwell or his parents, and photographs from various period of his life.

The museum is open on weekends and offers self-guided tours. The website offers visitor information and recent news regarding the museum.

Jacksonville Historical Society and Merrill House [FL]

Description

The Jacksonville Historical Society preserves the history of Jacksonville, Florida, and operates the 1886 Queen Anne-style Merrill House, which today serves as a historic house museum.

The society offers periodic guided tours of Jacksonville as well as a bookstore and a collection of photographs. The Merrill House is open year-round for tours and can accommodate groups by appointment. The website offers visitor information and histories of Jacksonville, the Merrill House, and the society, as well as special features which highlight particular aspects of Jacksonville's history.

Calvert Marine Museum [MD]

Description

The Calvert Marine Museum collects, preserves, and showcases the maritime history of southern Maryland, including the Patuxent River and Chesapeake Bay.

The museum offers exhibits on the people, culture, and environment of southern Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay; interpretive events and programs for students; in-class outreach presentations; and special events including lectures and performances. The website offers visitor information, a history of the museum, an events calendar, and a listing of all educational programs.

Town Creek Indian Mound [NC]

Description

For more than a thousand years, Indians farmed on lands later known as North Carolina. Around A.D. 1200, a new cultural tradition arrived in the Pee Dee River Valley. Termed "Pee Dee" by archaeologists, it was part of a widespread tradition known as "South Appalachian Mississippian." These Native Americans established a political and ceremonial center at the Town Creek and Little Rivers. Here, visitors can now see a reconstructed ceremonial center, featuring a temple mound and major temple, minor temple, and burial hut.

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

Winter Quarters State Historic Site [LA]

Description

Winter Quarters Plantation is one of the few true Southern-style plantations to survive the Civil War. The home was built in 1805, and eventually grew to over 2,000 acres, manned by 300 slaves. The home was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, and today serves as a historic house museum. The home is furnished with period furnishings, and contains copies of diaries and other personal records from the tenants.

The home offers tours, interpretive programs and events, and special tours for field trips. The website offers a history of the site, visitor information, links to nearby attractions, and a virtual tour.

Read House and Gardens [DE]

Description

The 1801 Read House, a mansion located on the Delaware River, is a fine example of the Federal architectural style. Most of the house is preserved in its original early 1800s state. However, some rooms have been redecorated in the style of the home during the 1920s.

The home offers visitors guided tours and exhibits year-round. Visitors can also explore the Read House Gardens, which are the oldest surviving gardens in New Castle. Group tours complete with costumed interpreters and demonstrations are available by appointment. The website offers a brief history of Read House as well as visitor information and an events calendar.

Jerusalem Mill at Gunpowder Falls State Park [MD]

Description

The Jerusalem Mill is over 228 years old, and operated continuously for two centuries. Today, the mill serves as the Gunpowder State Park headquarters and visitor center, and offers a variety of exhibits. In addition to the mill, visitors can also explore the surrounding village. Both the village and the mill are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The mill offers a variety of special events, including blacksmithing demonstrations and living history exhibits, and offers exhibits on park history. The website offers a brief history of the park and visitor information.