Fort Bridger State Historic Site [WY]

Description

Established by Jim Bridger and Louis Vasquez in 1843 as an emigrant supply stop along the Oregon Trail. It was obtained by the Mormons in the early 1850s, and then became a military outpost in 1858. Today, there are several restored historical buildings from the military time period, a reconstruction of the trading post operated by Jim Bridger, and an interpretive archaeological site containing the base of the cobble rock wall built by the Mormons during their occupation of the fort. In addition, a museum containing artifacts from the various different historical time periods is housed in the 1888 stone barracks building.

The site offers exhibits.

Hartwick Pines Logging Museum [MI]

Description

The Hartwick Pines Logging Museum, located in a stand of virgin white pine, takes visitors back to the days of the 19th-century logging industry, through a visitors' center, logging camp buildings, and forest trails—one of which leads to the 300-year-old Monarch pine.

The museum offers exhibits, tours for school groups, and occasional 1860s-period baseball games.

Sutter's Fort State Historic Park [CA]

Description

In 1839 a Swiss immigrant named John Sutter received a land grant in the Sacramento Valley from the Mexican government. He used the land to create a flourishing agricultural empire and named it New Helvetia (New Switzerland.) This empire established Sacramento's earliest settlement and the first non-Indian settlement in California's Central Valley. In 1847, Sutter sent aid to the Donner Party, a group of immigrants trapped in a winter storm in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Word spread and Sutter became known for his hospitality and for providing temporary refuge to travelers. This reputation made New Helvetia the destination for early immigrants to California. Less than a decade after they were established, Sutter's properties were overrun by gold seekers and the fort is all that remains of New Helvetia. It has been restored to its former state based on an 1847 map published in Darmstadt, Germany and is open daily for tours.

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

Columbia Gorge Discovery Center [OR]

Description

The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center presents the natural and social history of the Columbia River Gorge and Wasco County, Oregon. Topics addressed include the history of the land, settlement history and daily life in the area, the material goods carried by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark on their exploratory voyage across the country (1803-1806), and the Ice Age. The collections include more than 26,000 artifacts with particular strong showings of Native American baskets, padlocks, furniture, and farming equipment. The center is located on 50 acres of land.

The center offers exhibits, films, a children's discovery area, an interpretive trail, collections and research library access, an educator's resource center, an educational program on birds of prey, guided student tours ranging between 45 minutes and one hour in length, self-guided student tours, and traveling trunks. Reservations are required for class programs and tours. The website offers interactive activities and electronic field trips.

Frank Phillips Home [OK]

Description

Frank Phillips, an ambitious barber-turned-bond salesman from Iowa, visited Bartlesville in 1903 to assess business possibilities in the surrounding oil fields. After a series of failures that nearly caused him to abandon the business, a string of 81 straight successful oil wells insured success. By 1909, he had completed construction of the Frank Phillips Home. From then until Frank's death in 1950, the home was the setting from which he, his family and friends, and the community that grew up around them, played a key role in the development of the oil industry in America. With few exceptions, the furniture, decorations, and even personal effects are original. As a consequence, the Home depicts the lives, tastes, fashions, and values of the Phillips and their world. As an example of the personal home of an Oklahoma oil millionaire, it is a window through which visitors can step back to those times, and experience the home life of one of America's oil men.

The house offers tours and educational and recreational programs and events.

Museum of the Mountain Man [WY]

Description

The Museum of the Mountain Man presents the early 1800s history of the fur trade and of "mountain men." The museum is located near the historic hub of the Rocky Mountain rendezvous system. These rendezvous were commercial and social gatherings where fur traders could equip themselves and catch up on the latest news. Collection highlight include a circa 1876-style furnished tipi, Jim Bridger's rifle, a 17th- or 18th-century Shoshone bow, other Native American artifacts, and a mountain man camp diorama.

The museum offers exhibits. Tours and groups require reservations, and appointments are necessary for winter visits.

Weaverville Joss House State Historic Park [CA]

Description

The temple is the oldest continuously used Chinese temple in California. On display are art objects, pictures, mining tools, and weapons used in the 1854 Tong War. This Taoist temple is still a place of worship and a fascinating look into the role played by Chinese immigrants in early California history. The temple was built in 1874 as a replacement for another that had burned. Many of the historical objects have been restored and the structure itself stabilized.

The park offers exhibits, tours, and educational and recreational events.

USS Midway Museum [CA]

Description

The USS Midway is the longest serving 20th-century U.S. Navy aircraft carrier. Collections include 25 restored aircraft, dating from World War II through Operation Desert Storm. The majority of exhibits display the various functions of the rooms and sections aboard the Midway.

The museum offers traditional and interactive exhibits; films; three flight simulators; music videos; hands-on aircraft; two audio tours—one of which is designed for students; guided tours; a one-hour narrated video tour; docents available to answer questions; youth overnight programs; and educational programs which meet state educational standards. Reservations are required for guided tours. The site is approximately 60 percent wheelchair accessible, and wheelchairs are available upon request. Student audio tours are available in English and Spanish.

Sonoma County Museum [CA]

Description

The Sonoma County Museum presents the 19th- and 20th-century history of Sonoma County, California; and provides a location for community gatherings. The museum is housed within the 1909 Renaissance Revival Santa Rosa Post Office and Federal Building, among the first 12 federally erected buildings in California. The museum collection consists of nearly 25,000 artifacts, including contemporary artworks.

The museum offers exhibits, 45-minute guided tours, 45- to 60-minute educational outreach programs, outreach slide presentations of past exhibits, and activities. The activities are intended for classroom use. Two weeks notice is required for school tours. The website offers more than 10 teacher's guides.