Antique Powerland Museum [OR]

Description

The Antique Powerland Museum presents historical power equipment. The Pacific NW Truck Museum and Willow Creek Railroad are located on site. The Willow Creek Railroad is a hands-on operating miniature railroad. Visitors may sit on the cars. The Pacific NW Truck Museum presents the history of trucking, with particular emphasis on the Pacific Northwest. 60 historic trucks are on display.

The museum offers exhibits, street car rides, and miniature railroad rides. The museum is closed November through February. Group tours are available on request.

North Lake Tahoe Historical Society and Museums [CA]

Description

The North Lake Tahoe Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of the Lake Tahoe area, California. To this end, the society operates the Gatekeeper's Museum, Marion Steinbach Indian Basket Museum, and 1909 Watson Cabin. The Gatekeeper's Museums functions as a museum of local history. Highlights include historic court ledgers and oral histories. The Marion Steinbach Indian Basket Museum presents baskets, costumes, dolls, pottery and other artifacts from 85 Native American tribes. The Watson Cabin is a living history museum of local pioneer life.

The society offers exhibits, period rooms, and living history demonstrations. Please call ahead if severe weather is forecasted, as the museums may not be open.

Gingras Trading Post State Historic Site [ND]

Description

The Gingras Trading Post State Historic Site preserves the 1840s home and trading post of Métis legislator and businessman Antoine Blanc Gingras. Métis, meaning "mixed blood" or "mixed race," is a term used by people of combined Indian and European ancestry to describe themselves. Gingras's hand-hewn oak log store and home are among the few tangible remains of the fur trade in the Red River Valley. Both buildings on Gingras State Historic Site have been restored to their original appearance. Interpretive panels and exhibits about Gingras, Métis heritage, and the fur trade are located in the restored house.

The site offers exhibits.

Fort Okanogan State Park [WA]

Description

The 45-acre Fort Okanogan State Park is located on the site of the colony of Fort Okanogan, founded in 1811 by David Stuart of the Pacific Fur Company. The fort's name is derived from the name of the local Native American population, the Okinakane. In 1821, the fort changed ownership when purchased by the Hudson Bay Company. The site now includes an interpretive center. Topics addressed therein include the history of the fort and of the fur trade within the local area.

The park offers exhibits, group tours, trails, outdoor activities, and three picnic sites. Group tours are available by appointment only.

Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park [CA]

Description

Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park was the main residence of Rancho Petaluma, the agricultural empire that made General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo one of the most powerful men in the Mexican Province of California from 1834 to 1846. Vallejo ran his cattle, hide, and tallow business; raised sheep; bred horses; and grew numerous crops. The adobe contains authentic furniture and exhibits depicting early rancho life. The huge adobe building, the largest private rancho in California between 1834 and 1846, was the center of activity on one of the most prosperous private estates established during the Mexican period.

The park offers exhibits; tours; and occasional recreational and educational events, including living history events.

Island County Historic Society and Museum [WA]

Description

The Island County Historic Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Island County, Washington from the Ice Age through the mid-20th century. Topics given particular emphasis include maritime history, Pacific Northwest Native American cultures, military history, and the settlers of 1853. Collections and archives number more than 19,000 items. The society operates a museum of local history, located on the former site of the 1870 Mother Fay’s Hotel.

The society offers exhibits, one-hour to 90-minute guided tours for students, library access, and research assistance. Research assistance requires payment of a fee. Two weeks advance notice is required for all visits by more than five individuals. Some student tours include pre-visit curriculum materials.

Fort Assiniboine Historic Site, Northern Agricultural Research Center [MT]

Description

The Fort Assinniboine Historic Site preserves the site of what was once the largest military fort west of the Mississippi River, with 104 structures over 700,000 acres. Founded in 1879, the soldiers of Fort Assinniboine protected settlers from Sitting Bull's Lakota Sioux and other Native Americans. Other responsibilities included patrolling the U.S.-Canada border and preventing the Blackfoot Confederacy, Montana Indian Reservations, and Canadian Native Americans from acting against Euro-American settlers. The fort's location was selected as the nexus of several Native American trails. The site currently serves as an agricultural research center.

The site offers guided tours. Reservations are required for groups.

Suquamish Museum [WA]

Description

The Suquamish Museum presents the history and culture of the Puget Sound Salish Tribes—with particular emphasis granted the Suquamish Tribe. Collections include artifacts of daily life, more than 9,000 photographs and negatives, canoes, carvings, archival documents, and 150 oral histories.

The museum offers exhibits and guided tours. 48 hours notice is required for all guided tours.