Dorsey Mansion [NM]

Description

Completed in 1880, the Dorsey Mansion is the Victorian mansion of Stephen W. Dorsey (1842-1916), Arkansas Senator turned New Mexico cattle baron. The mansion played a major role in numerous property disputes. After attempting to convert the home into a tubercular sanatorium, Dorsey simply left the state.

Tours are currently closed.

Washington Trust for Historic Preservation [WA]

Description

The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation is first and foremost an advocacy group which works with state authorities to aid the preservation of historic buildings and structures in Washington. However, the trust also offers tours of the trust's landmark headquarters, the Stimson-Greeen Mansion, and the society's other historic property, the Dearborn House.

The website offers visitor information, as well as information regarding the programs offered by the trust.

Edmonds Historical Museum [WA]

Description

The Edmonds Historical Museum is located in Edmonds, Washington, just north of Seattle. The museum hosts a variety of exhibits on local history, as well as a historical archives and photo archive.

The museum offers exhibits on local history, guided tours, and occasional special events. The website offers visitor information, and a brief history of Edwards-South Snohomish county.

Umatilla County Historical Society [OR]

Description

The Umatilla County Historical Society is dedicated to the preservation and dissemination of the history of Umatilla County, Oregon, which has served as a crossroads for people of many different backgrounds, from Indians to East Coast emigrants. The society maintains a local history museum, which showcases Umatilla County's diverse history.

The society offers field trip programs, exhibits on local history, a Union Pacific Company Caboose, a one-room schoolhouse, traveling trunk exhibits, and public presentations. The website offer visitor information, information regarding all programs offered by the society, and a calendar of events. In order to contact the society via email, use the "contact us" link located on the left side of the webpage.

Monteith House Museum [OR]

Description

The Monteith House Museum stands as a monument to the early Oregon settlers. The Monteith brothers traveled to Oregon in 1847, and started the town of Albany, which is located in the heart of the Williamette valley in Oregon. The home served as much more than a simple home. The Monteith family allowed the home to be used for community meetings of all kinds during the early days of Albany. Today, the home is listed on the national register of historic places.

The house offers guided tours and exhibits that showcase Oregon's early history. The website offers a brief history of the home along with visitor information.

Fort Ross State Historic Park [CA]

Description

Fort Ross was a thriving Russian-American Company settlement from 1812 to 1841. This commercial company chartered by Russia's tsarist government controlled all Russian exploration, trade, and settlement in the North Pacific, and established permanent settlements in Alaska and California. Fort Ross was the southernmost settlement in the Russian colonization of the North American continent, and was established as an agricultural base to supply Alaska. Fort Ross was a successfully functioning multicultural settlement for some 30 years. Settlers included Russians, Native Alaskans and Californians, and Creoles (individuals of mixed Russian and native ancestry.) Along with the chapel, the structure of most historical interest at Fort Ross is the Rotchev House, an existing building renovated about 1836 for Alexander Rotchev, the last manager of Ross. It is the only surviving structure. Several other buildings have been reconstructed: the first Russian Orthodox chapel south of Alaska; the stockade; and four other buildings called the Kuskov House, the Officials Barracks, and two corner blockhouses.

The park offers exhibits, tours, educational programs, research library access, and occasional recreational and educational events.

Bodie State Historic Park [CA]

Description

Bodie State Historic Park is a genuine California gold-mining ghost town. Visitors can walk down the deserted streets of a town that once had a population of 10,000 people. The town was founded by Waterman S. Body (William Bodey), who had discovered small amounts of gold in hills north of Mono Lake. In 1877, the Standard Company struck pay dirt and a gold rush transformed Bodie from a town of 20 people to a boomtown. Only a small part of the town survives, preserved in a state of "arrested decay." Interiors remain as they were left and stocked with goods.

The park offers exhibits and tours.

Watts Towers of Simon Rodia State Historic Park [CA]

Description

The Watts Towers are a complex set of 17 separate sculptural pieces built on a residential lot in the community of Watts. Two of the towers rise to a height of nearly 100 feet. The sculptures are constructed from steel pipes and rods, wrapped with wire mesh; coated with mortar; and embedded with pieces of porcelain, tile, and glass. Using simple hand tools and cast off materials (broken glass, sea shells, generic pottery, and ceramic tile) Italian immigrant Simon Rodia spent 30 years (1921 to 1955) building a tribute to his adopted country and a monument to the spirit of individuals who make their dreams tangible. The Watts Towers are one of only nine works of folk art listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The site is one of only four US National Historic Landmarks in the city of Los Angeles. The Los Angeles City Cultural Affairs Department, through the Watts Towers Arts Center, provides diverse cultural enrichment programming through tours, lectures, changing exhibits, and studio workshops for both teachers and schoolchildren. Each year, thousands of people are attracted to the Towers' site for the Simon Rodia Watts Towers Jazz Festival and the Watt Towers Day of the Drum Festival.

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