Alpine Historical Society [CA]

Description

The Alpine Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Alpine, California. To this end, the society operates two museums: the 1896 Dr. Nichol's House and the 1899 Adam and Caroline Beaty House. The former housed Alpine's first doctor, who was female. A small schoolhouse was later attached to this structure. Exhibits focus on a different topic each year.

The society offers exhibits, access to historical newspapers, and a local essay contest for students. The website offers historical photographs.

Fort Humboldt State Historic Park [CA]

Description

This remote military post was established in 1853 to assist in conflict resolution between Native Americans and gold-seekers and settlers who had begun flooding into the area after the discovery of gold in the northern mines. Fort Humboldt was formally abandoned in 1870 and rapidly fell into decay. Today, only the hospital building remains out of the original fourteen structures. It is now a historical museum dedicated to telling the story of the Fort and the Native American groups, including the Wiyot, Hoopa and Yurok of this region. In the 1980s the Surgeon's Quarters was reconstructed and there are plans for its establishment as a period house museum. In 2001 an historic herb and vegetable garden was recreated adjacent to the Hospital. The park also includes a Logging Museum and open air displays of historic 19th- through mid-20th-century logging equipment including the Dolbeer Steam Donkey, "Lucy"; the Bear Harbor Lumber Company's Gypsy Locomotive #1; and the Elk River Mill and Lumber Company's #1 "Falk" locomotive.

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

Willamette Mission State Park [OR]

Description

The Willamette Mission State Park commemorates the location of the first mission created for Native Americans, founded 1834 by Reverend Jason Lee. The Wheatland Ferry, which carried the first covered wagon across the Willamette River in 1844, also has a landing in the park.

The park offers a monument, ghost structures (framed outlines) indicating the original buildings, and interpretive signage.

Royal Mausoleum State Monument [HI]

Description

The Royal Mausoleum State Monument is the burial place of royalty of Hawaii's Kamehameha and Kalakaua Dynasties (1810-1872 and 1874-1893 respectively) and their retainers. The Kamehameha Dynasty is known for unifying the islands, creating a constitutional form of government, and granting all Hawaiians religious freedom. The Kalakaua Dynasty saw the end of the Hawaiian monarchy.

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

Issaquah Historical Society [WA]

Description

The Issaquah Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Issaquah, Washington and its immediate surroundings. The society operates two museums, the Gilman Town Hall Museum, which focuses on Issaquah history, and the Issaquah Depot Museum, which displays local railway history. The Gilman Town Hall Museum includes the 1914 town jail cells; research center; and a wide selection of artifacts, including an early water pipe, a Native American fur trade knife, and historical graffiti. The structure started as the town hall in the 1890s. The depot museum collections include a vintage caboose, railroad cars, and historical photographs; and is housed in an 1888 railway depot.

The Gilman Town Hall Museum offers exhibits and guided tours by appointment. The Issaquah Depot Museum offers exhibits and guided tours by appointment. A corresponding depot activity booklet can be downloaded from the website. The society offers educational kits for elementary education, which include appropriate lesson plans.

Casa Navarro State Historic Site [TX]

Description

The half-acre Casa Navarro State Historic Site preserves the restored home of Tejano patriot José Antonio Navarro (1795–1871). Today, visitors can tour Navarro's adobe home furnished with period antiques, read copies of his writing, and discuss questions of history with informed interpreters. Casa Navarro is the only historic site in San Antonio dedicated to the interpretation of the Mexican history and heritage of Texas, as seen through the life of Navarro, a prominent San Antonio merchant, rancher, and statesman. According to the site, "Navarro served as a member of the Texas legislatures under Mexico, the Republic of Texas, and the State of Texas. Representing San Antonio Tejanos, he signed the Texas Declaration of Independence in 1836. Navarro was the first Tejano to write about the history of Texas. He was an influential political figure during the momentous 55 years when the destiny of Texas was forged, from 1810 to 1865. Navarro is best known as 'the strongest defender of the rights of his people.'"

The site offers period rooms, tours, copies of Navarro's writings, and on-site docents.

Whaley House Museum [CA]

Description

The Whaley House Museum is an 1857 century Greek Revival residence, theater, county courthouse, and general store. The building's owner, Thomas Whaley, had originally traveled from New York to California with the Gold Rush before setting up operation of joint venture general store. The execution of Yankee Jim Robinson, who attempted grand larceny, took place on the grounds in 1852. The site interpretation targets 1868 to 1871.

The museum offers orientation presentations with question and answer sessions, self-guided tours, guided tours, ghost tours, and docents to address questions. Reservations are required for group and guided tours. The site is partially wheelchair accessible. The website offers transcriptions of historical documentation.

Working Waterfront Maritime Museum [WA]

Description

The Working Waterfront Maritime Museum, housed in the last intact remaining timber frame warehouse section in the area, presents the history of Tacoma's working waterfront. Collections include Andrew Foss rowboats, Willits canoes, and photographs by maritime photographer Wilhelm Hester (born 1872).

The museum offers interactive exhibits and group tours, which can be customized to account for group interests. Reservations are required for group tours.

Eisenhower Birthplace State Historic Site [TX]

Description

Eisenhower Birthplace State Historic Site features the modest two-story frame house in the railroad town of Denison where Dwight D. Eisenhower was born in 1890. Eisenhower's father worked for the railroad and the birthplace contains family possessions and period antiques demonstrating the lifestyle of a late 19th-century working family. The site includes six acres of scenic woods and creek bottomland intersected by an abandoned rail track turned into a hiking path. The visitor center is a historic structure filled with hundreds of items relating to Eisenhower and his role in U.S. and world history.

The site offers exhibits and tours.