International Motorsports Hall of Fame Museum [AL]

Description

The International Motorsports Hall of Fame is located in Talladega, Alabama, and serves both as a Hall of Fame and as a museum of motorsports. The Hall of Fame has been open since 1990 and currently has well over 100 inductees. The museum chronicles the history and technology of motorsports, and features an impressive collection of vintage and modern racing cars, including Richard Petty's Dodge Charger and the first vehicle to break the speed of sound on land.

The museum offers self-guided tours, exhibits, a research library, and tours of the adjacent Talladega Superspeedway. The website offers a photo gallery of the museum, brief biographies of all inductees, a virtual tour, a history of the Hall of Fame, and general visitor information.

Hermann-Grima House [LA]

Description

The Hermann-Grima House, built in 1831, is one of the most significant residences in New Orleans. The home accurately portrays the lifestyle of wealthy Creole families prior to the Civil War. The home is an impressive example of Federal architecture, and boasts the only horse stable and functional 1830s outdoor kitchen in the French Quarter.

The home offers guided tours, demonstrations, summer camps, field trip programs, teacher workshops, and special tours that focus on unique topics in local history. The website offers visitor information, virtual tours, lesson plans, information regarding all programs offered by the home, and a calendar of events.

Maryland Historical Society [MD]

Description

The Maryland Historical Society is dedicated to the preservation of the diverse historical heritage of the state of Maryland, and runs a museum of Maryland history in order to showcase the society's impressive collection. The museum is located in downtown Baltimore, and is open to the public year round.

The society offers exhibits, guided tours, field trip programs, in class presentations, traveling trunks, primary source kits, and a student research center. The website offers information regarding all society programs, visitor information, and an events calendar.

Bennett Place [NC]

Description

This simple farmhouse was situated between Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston's headquarters in Greensboro and Union General William T. Sherman's headquarters in Raleigh. In April 1865, the two commanders met at the Bennett Place, where they signed surrender papers for Southern armies in the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. It was the largest troop surrender of the American Civil War.

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

Dothan Landmark Park [AL]

Description

The Dothan Landmark Park presents the history of southeastern Alabama. Site features include a living history farm, set in the 1890s; a one-room schoolhouse; a historic church; and a historic general store. Exhibits discuss agriculture and wildlife.

The park offers exhibits, living history interpreters, nature trails, a planetarium, and a picnic site.

Historical Society of Carroll County and Museums [MD]

Description

The Historical Society of Carroll County seeks to preserve and share the history of Carroll County, Maryland. To this end, the society operates three historic structures—the 1807 Sherman-Fisher-Shellman House, the circa 1800 Kimmey House, and the circa 1820 Cockey's Tavern. The Kimmey House presents local historical artifacts. Collection artifacts date from the 18th century to present.

The Sherman-Fisher-Shellman House offers period rooms, styled to 1807 specifications. The Kimmey House offers a research library and exhibits.

Cockey's Tavern is currently closed for renovation.

Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site [KY]

Description

The Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site preserves the site of a Mississippian village and burial mounds. The Mississippians inhabited the village between 1100 and 1350. Exhibit topics include Mississippian artifacts, architecture, and burial practices. The village no longer exists, but the mounds are accessible. The Mississippians are also referred to as the Mound Builders.

The site offers exhibits, hands-on activities, museum tours, walking trails, educational programs, and a picnic site. The website offers pre-visit activities and guide sheets.

Historic Houston [TX]

Description

Historic Houston is dedicated to the preservation of Houston's historic and architectural heritage. In addition, Historic Houston is a leader is sustainable design, and has won several awards such as the "Outstanding Environmental Leadership Award."

Historic Houston offers an educational series of workshops, lectures, and classes that are open to the public and to school groups. The website offers general information about Historic Houston as well as information regarding the educational series.

LaGrange Plantation [MD]

Description

LaGrange Plantation is home to the Dorchester County Historical Society, which seeks to preserve and share the history of Dorchester County, Maryland. To this end, the society operates several museums and an archive. The circa 1760 Georgian Meredith House displays decorative arts pieces and artifacts pertaining to the seven Maryland governors from Dorchester County. The Nelid Museum presents local agricultural life from colonial times onward. The Goldsborough Stable presents transportation and trade artifacts. The workshop of Ron Rue, noted huntng decoy maker; a historic food storage structure and smokehouse; and a colonial-style herb garden are also on site.

The plantation offers exhibits, period rooms, and a historically styled garden. The website offers a video tour of the Nelid Museum.

Pond Spring: The General Joe Wheeler Home [AL]

Description

Once home to prehistoric Native Americans, Pond Spring is the post-Civil War home of General Joseph Wheeler, a Confederate major general, a U.S. congressman, and a Spanish-American War general. Following the Civil War, Wheeler became a national symbol for reunification and reconciliation. Wheeler's daughter, "Miss Annie Wheeler," served in three wars as a Red Cross nurse. The 50-acre site includes a dogtrot log house built around 1818, a circa-1830 Federal-style house, the 1880s Wheeler house, eight farm-related outbuildings, two family cemeteries, an African-American cemetery, a small Indian mound, a pond, a boxwood garden, and other garden areas.

The site offers tours by appointment.