Hat Museum [OR]

Description

The Hat Museum presents over 900 hats. Collections include modern hats, novelty hats, men's hats, and hats from between 1880 and 1980. Historical hats have been selected to exemplify the most characteristic styles and details of their day. The 1910 Arts and Crafts Ladd-Reingold House, in which the museum is located, was the home of an early 1900s milliner.

The museum offers exhibits. Reservations are required.

Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park [AZ]

Description

The Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park preserves Arizona Territory's first prison, in use between 1876 and 1909. Visitors can see the solitary chamber and original strap iron holding cells. The site presents information on the prison itself, the prison lifestyle, and a selection of the 3,069 prisoners to have been housed there. The most common crime represented within the prison body was grand larceny. The site offered prisoners a library, an electrically powered ventilation system, and electric lighting.

The site offers exhibits, interpretive signs, junior ranger activities, and a picnic area.

Monterey State Historic Park [CA]

Description

Visitors to this park can step into the past on the "Monterey Walking Path of History" and view the site where Spanish explorers first landed in Monterey in 1602; see one of the nation's last remaining whalebone sidewalks; and walk the same streets that author Robert Louis Stevenson walked in 1879 as they explore this two-mile path and discover some of California's most historic homes, buildings, and gardens along the way. Monterey served as California's capital under Spanish, Mexican, and U.S. military rule. The U.S. flag was first officially raised in California here on July 7, 1846, bringing 600,000 square miles of land to the United States. Ten buildings, including the Custom House, the oldest government building in California, and several residences (now house museums with guided tours), are all part of the Path of History.

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

McFarland State Historic Park [AZ]

Description

McFarland State Historic Park contains an 1878 courthouse, which displays the transition between Sonoran and Anglo-American architecture. Between 1891 and 1938, the structure was used as a county hospital. The site also served as a jail in the late 1800s. The site interprets Arizona Territory history and law enforcement.

The park offers exhibits, period rooms, guided walking tours of the Florence historic district, archival access, courtroom talks for students, guided building tours for students, and picnic areas.

The park is currently closed while exhibits are being changed.

Healy House Museum and Dexter Cabin [CO]

Description

Visitors to two of Leadville's earliest houses can catch a glimpse of western life in a booming silver-mining camp. James V. Dexter's surprisingly plush 1879 log cabin was the Leadville residence of this mining investor and businessman. August R. Meyer's 1878 Greek Revival clapboard house (now called Healy House) was built for his bride, Emma. The home features lavish Victorian furnishings collected in Leadville, including objects belonging to silver tycoon Horace and Augusta Tabor, along with other Leadville pioneers. For many years it was a boarding house and by 1900 twenty-one people called this home. The boarders included Dan Healy, and his cousin, Nellie, who taught school, and several of the men employed by the railroads.

The sites offer tours and educational programs.

George Bush Presidential Library and Museum [TX]

Description

George H. W. Bush was the 41st President from 1988-1992, as well as the former director of the CIA. "Included in the museum's main exhibit are items ranging from a 1925 film of George H. W. Bush's first steps in Kennebunkport, Maine, documents that highlight his service at the CIA and United Nations, and records and correspondence from his tenure as the 41st President of the United States of America."

Tours are free for school groups and the museum offers a variety of educational programs for grades pre-K-12. Teacher resources are also provided online to download.

Fulton Mansion State Historic Site [TX]

Description

George and Harriet Fulton began construction in 1874 on their spacious and extravagant home overlooking the Aransas Bay. Completed in 1877, the house featured ornate trim work and furnishings and the latest technological conveniences including modern plumbing, central heating, and a gas lighting system. Restored in the early 1980s, the architectural landmark is open for visitors.

The site offers tours.

Aspen Historical Society [CO]

Description

The Aspen Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the rich cultural and historical heritage of the Aspen Valley, from its original Indian inhabitants up through its modern-day status as one of the world's premier skiing destinations. The society operates seven historic sites, ranging from mining ghost towns to historic house museums.

The society offers guided tours of its museums and historic sites, research resources, field trip programs, a traveling trunk program, and special events. The website offers visitor information, access to the society's archives, lesson plans for teachers, a calendar of events, and detailed historical information about Aspen.

San Benito County Historical Society, Museum, and Historical Park [CA]

Description

The San Benito County Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of San Benito County, California. To this end, the society operates a museum within a 1909 Prairie Style home, originally built for pharmacist George Wapple. The society also operates a historical park which houses historic vehicles and a variety of historic buildings—three homes, a bar, a school, a print shop, a jail, and a barn.

The museum offers exhibits and tours. Arrangements must be made with the museum for all tours. The park offers exhibits and guided tours. Appointments are required for tours. The society also offers research library access the second Monday of every month.