Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture [SC]

Description

The Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture presents the history of African Americans in the South Carolina Lowcountry and in Charleston, South Carolina. Topics include slavery, emancipation, segregation, large-scale relocations, civil rights, and modern issues. The center includes a museum space and a research library, which boasts nearly 4,000 artifacts. Permanent exhibits address 19th-century social studies education, Gullah culture, and the work of master blacksmith Phillip Simmons. Approximately 40 percent of all Africans brought to the United States as slaves were brought ashore in the Charleston area.

The center offers exhibits, a period room, tours, research library access, research assistance, and oral histories. Reservations are required for all tour groups with five or more people.

Mission San Luis [FL]

Description

The Mission San Luis recreates life at the time of Spanish settlement. The site depicts the ways of life of 17th-century Spanish settlers and the Apalachee people. Sights include the visitor's center, Apalachee council house, the Spanish Deputy Governor's home, and a Franciscan church and friary. Costumed living history interpreters show how the people interacted with each other, their material cultures, and the land.

The mission offers an introductory film, audio tours, exhibits, demonstrations, costumed living history interpreters, one- through three-hour interactive curriculum-based school tours, four curriculum-based school outreach programs, day camps, and workshops for adults. The film is captioned, audio tours are t-coil compatible, and arrangements can be made for a descriptive orientation for visually impaired visitors. Publications are available in Braille, and one exhibit was designed with the assistance of the Florida Division of Blind Services. Wheelchairs are available on request. The website offers pre- and post-visit lessons, vocabulary, and a teacher's guide

Aycock Birthplace [NC]

Description

Charles B. Aycock was born into a simple, rural home in 1859. In 1900 he was elected governor of North Carolina and dedicated his life to improving public education in the state. An 1893 one-room schoolhouse, moved to the site of his birthplace, underscores Aycock's commitment to education. This typical 19th-century family farm includes the main house, separate open-hearth kitchen, corn crib, and smokehouses.

The site offers a short film, exhibits, tours, demonstrations, educational programs, and occasional recreational and educational events (including living history events).

Ashland: The Henry Clay Estate [KY]

Description

The Ashland estate consists of an 18-room mansion, outbuildings, exhibit space, formal gardens, and walking trails. Henry Clay (1777-1852) temporarily quelled the regionalism which eventually led to attempted secession, helped negotiate the Treaty of Ghent, served as Speaker of the House, supported South American governments, and introduced the Amicus Brief. Clay was also a Senator, Secretary of State, lawyer, farmer, and horseman. The structure itself was completed circa 1812, in the Federal style. Rebuilt in 1857 by later family members, the home is still similar to its original appearance but now includes Italianate, Victorian, and Greek Revival elements.

The estate offers one-hour guided mansion tours, period rooms, thematic and general guided tours for students, exhibits, self-guided outbuilding tours, gardens, trails, and a cafe. It is advisable to schedule as far in advance as possible for school visits. The website offers pre-visit handouts, a trivia game, and suggested reading lists for students.

West Volusia Historical Society, Museums, and Memorial Garden [FL]

Description

The West Volusia Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of West Volusia County, Florida. To this end, the society operates the 1886 DeLand House Museum, Robert M. Conrad Research and Educational Center, the 1922 DeLand Memorial Hospital, and the Lue Gim Gong Memorial Gardens. The hospital was used for medical purposes until 1948. A separate building behind the main structure served the local African American population. The hospital addresses medical history and African American life, as well as housing collections of elephant figurines, historic toys, and military artifacts. The grounds include two gardens, one of which is devoted to offering a sensory experience for visually and physically impaired visitors. The Lue Gim Gong Memorial Gardens honor Lue Gim Gong (1860-1925), creator of a number of grapefruit and orange varieties.

The DeLand House Museum offers period rooms. The Conrad Center offers exhibits, oral histories, and a research library. The DeLand Memorial Hospital offers period rooms, exhibits, and gardens. The society also offers outreach speakers, a memorial to Lue Gim Gong, and access to his grave site.

Hemingway Home and Museum [FL]

Description

The Hemingway Home and Museum commemorates the life of Pulitzer and Nobel Prize-winning author and journalist Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961). The 1851 Spanish Colonial home served as Hemingway's personal residence for more than ten years. A Farewell to Arms was completed in Key West for publication in 1929. Many of the home furnishings and hunting trophies on display belonged to Hemingway, and the more than 60 cats are descended from his own pets. Hemingway's work is characterized by simple sentences, understatement, and stoic characters. Examples of his writings include The Old Man and the Sea and For Whom the Bell Tolls.

The site offers period rooms, guided tours, and an abundance of cats.

Howard County Center of African American Culture [MD]

Description

The Howard County Center of African American Culture presents local and national African American history. The site includes both period rooms depicting typical 19th-century African American residential settings in Howard County, Maryland and exhibits celebrating the inventions and artwork created by African Americans.

The center offers period rooms and exhibits.

Historic Dumfries Virginia and the Weems-Botts Museum

Description

Historic Dumphries Virginia seeks to preserve and share the history of Dumfries, Virginia. To this end, the organization operates the Weems-Botts Museum. This museum preserves the at least 250-year-old home of Parson Weems, the author who popularized a number of legends about George Washington, including the cherry tree tale. The home later served as the residence of Benjamin Botts, who successfully defended Aaron Burr during his treason trial.

The museum offers period rooms and research opportunities. A fee is required in order to pursue research.

Women's Basketball Hall of Fame [TN]

Description

The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame presents the history and modern state of women's basketball—at all levels of play and prominence. Collection highlights include the 1901 rulebook and a jersey worn by Georgeann Wells, first female player to score a dunk at the collegiate level.

The hall offers exhibits, a 15-minute introductory video, self-guided tours, audio recordings of famous coaches giving pre-game and halftime talks, basketball courts, an athletic playground, and a hall of honor. Educational programs are offered for kindergarten through fifth grade students; and focus on nutrition, sportsmanship, and exercise.