Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial [CA]

Description

The Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial is the site of the greatest World War II era domestic disaster. On July 17, 1944, munitions ships being loaded for the Pacific theatre combusted, killing 320 men. The 202 African American men killed account for a full 15 percent of African American World War II deaths. The disaster brought attention to Navy munitions handling and the segregation of military units.

The memorial offers guided tours. Access to the site requires at least two weeks notice, providing time for Army clearance to be achieved.

Oklahoma Territorial Museum

Description

The Museum, through artifacts, photographs, and paintings tells the story of Oklahoma's territorial period. The facility covers approximately 10,000 square feet divided between two floors. The first floor presents exhibits embracing the first land run in the territories and the events leading up to the day, April 22, 1889. Exhibitions also cover the territorial lifestyle, including the homesteader and the urban aspect. Items related to territorial government, transportation, education, entertainment, and the statehood experience are presented in the second floor exhibits. Attached to the museum is the Historic Carnegie Library of Guthrie. Built in 1902, it hosted many important political and social events in early Oklahoma history and still houses its original furnishings.

The museum offers exhibits, tours, and educational and recreational events and programs.

Goliad State Park and Mission Espíritu Santo State Historic Site [TX]

Description

The park contains a refurnished replica of Mission Nuestra Senora del Espíritu Santo de Zuniga, reconstructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s. The mission was originally established in 1722 near Matagorda Bay and moved to its present site in 1749. This mission was the first large cattle ranch in Texas, supplying its own needs and those of Spanish colonial settlements as far away as Louisiana. The park also contains General Ignacio Zaragoza's Birthplace, Plaza, and Amphitheater, which are located near Presidio La Bahia. General Zaragoza assumed command of the rag-tag Mexican Army and welded it into a staunch fighting force, which met and defeated the French on May 5, 1862, in the Battle of Puebla, which led to Mexico's independence from France.

The site offers tours and occasional recreational and educational events.

Lewis and Clark National Historical Park [OR]

Description

The Lewis and Clark National Historical Park is comprised of 12 individual historic parks along a 40-mile stretch of Oregon and Washington Coast. Together, the parks tell the story of Lewis and Clark's momentous journey to the Pacific Ocean and back as well as offer historical information and exhibits regarding the Oregon and Washington coasts.

The park offers outdoor activities, exhibits, guided tours at all 12 parks, summer camps, resources for teachers such as traveling trunks and lesson plans, and field trip programs. The website offers lesson plans, curriculum guides, photographs of the 12 member parks, a schedule of events, visitor information, and historical information regarding all 12 parks and the Lewis and Clark expedition. In order to contact the website via email, use the "contact us" link located on the left side of the webpage.

Sequoyah's Cabin [OK]

Description

Sequoyah built this one-room log cabin in 1829 shortly after moving to Oklahoma. The cabin became the property of the Oklahoma Historical Society in 1936, and the cabin was enclosed in a stone cover building as a project of the Works Progress Administration.

The cabin offers tours.

Cedar Hill State Park and Penn Farm Agricultural History Center [TX]

Description

In 1854, John Anderson Penn settled in the rugged cedar-covered hills of southwest Dallas County—an area known as the Cedar Mountains. Today, remnants of the original Penn Farm survive intact in the confines of Cedar Hill State Park. Penn Farm Agricultural History Center pays tribute to the disappearing Texas family farm and affords a glimpse into agrarian history as farm machinery took the place of the horse and mule almost a century ago. It includes reconstructed and historic buildings from the mid-1800s through the mid-1900s.

The site offers tours and occasional recreational and educational events.

Fort Supply Historic Site [OK]

Description

The Oklahoma Historical Society's mission at the Fort Supply Historic Site is to educate the public about the history of Fort Supply and northwest Oklahoma through the preservation and interpretation of its historic resources. The five remaining buildings from the military period will be restored to their appearance of over 100 years ago. The 1875 Ordnance Sergeant's Quarters and the 1882 Civilian Employee Quarters are picket-style log buildings. These are rare examples of a common frontier construction method. The walls of these buildings consist of vertical logs. The 1879 Commanding Officer's Quarters and the duplex 1882 Officers' Quarters are the only frame houses left on "Officers' Row." The 1892 Guard House was the only brick building erected by the army at Fort Supply. It has been restored and furnished and contains the site's exhibit area. Each September Fort Supply hosts Cavalry Day, with costumed interpreters portraying military life on the frontier.

The site offers exhibits and occasional living history programs.

San Felipe State Historic Site [TX]

Description

Twelve acres of this park are set aside in honor of the area's past. Located on the Brazos River, adjoining the old ferry site and a part of the Commercio Plaza de San Felipe, this is the site of the township of San Felipe, the seat of government of the Anglo-American colonies in Texas. It was here Stephen F. Austin, the "Father of Texas," brought the first 297 families to colonize Texas under a contract with the Mexican Government. From 1824 to 1836, San Felipe de Austin was the social, economic, and political center, as well as the capital of the American colonies in Texas. Due to the many historic events that occurred here, the community acquired the reputation "Cradle of the Texas Liberty." San Felipe was the home of Austin and other famous early Texans; the home of Texas's first Anglo newspaper (the Texas Gazette, founded in 1829); the home of the postal system of Texas origination; and the setting for the beginning of the Texas Rangers.

The site offers tours.

Old Sacramento State Historic Park [CA]

Description

Old Sacramento State Historic Park is a cluster of noteworthy, early Gold Rush commercial structures. Historic buildings include the 1849 Eagle Theater; the 1853 B. F. Hastings Building, once home to the California Supreme Court; and the 1855 Big Four Building. Old Sacramento's historical significance comes from it being the western terminus of the Pony Express postal system, the first transcontinental railroad, and the transcontinental telegraph. With over 50 historic buildings, Old Sacramento has more buildings of historic value in its 28 acres than any area of similar size in the West.

A second website for the park can be found here.

The park offers exhibits, tours, educational programs, living history programs and events, and other educational and recreational events.

Planes of Fame Air Museum [CA]

Description

The Planes of Fame Air Museum was the first air museum located west of the Rocky Mountains. Founded in 1957, the museum now contains over 150 vintage aircraft. The museum is open year round, and also operates an annual air-show.

The museum offers exhibits, self-guided tours, monthly presentations, and an annual airshow. The website offers visitor information, an events calendar, and a brief history of the museum. In order to contact the museum via email, use the "contact the museum" link located at the top of the webpage under the "air museum info" tab.