Pearce-McAllister Cottage [CO]

Description

The Dutch Colonial Revival Pearce-McAllister Cottage, built in 1899, reflected the original owners' desires to have a cottage similar to those seen in the older districts of the eastern United States. The second owners, the McAllisters, remodeled the interior in the 1920s decor seen in the home. Today, the Pearce-McAllister Cottage is home to the Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls, and Toys, which manages the site, and has exhibits throughout the house. The collection encompasses more than 10,000 items dating from 1680 through today.

A second website, focusing more closely on the Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls, and Toys that occupies the cottage, can be found here.

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

Butte Citizens for Preservation and Revitalization [MT]

Description

In the summer of 1994 a group of residents of Butte, Montana, committed to the preservation and promotion of Butte's unique historical architecture, came together to form the Butte Citizens for Preservation and Revitalization. CPR provides grants to improve buildings, educational tours, lectures, preservation workshops, and other events, liason with local government, business, and civic organizations, and the labor to restore, renovate and salvage historical buildings in the nation's largest National Historic Landmark District, encompassing 5,991 historically significant resources.

The organization offers a variety of educationally themed events and programs, ranging from walking tours to traveling speakers. The organization has also put out a variety of publications, which are available for purchase on the website. The website offers information about all organization activities, including grants, advocacy, educational programs, an events calendar, and an online store.

Paynes Creek Historic State Park [FL]

Description

During the 1840s, tensions between the settlers and Seminole Indians prompted authorities to establish a trading post in Florida's interior, away from settlements. Built in early 1849, the post was attacked and destroyed by renegade Indians that summer. In late 1849 Fort Chokonikla was built nearby as the first outpost in a chain of forts established to control the Seminoles. The Seminoles never attacked the fort, but the Army was nearly defeated by mosquitoes. A museum at the visitor center depicts the lives of Florida's Seminole Indians and pioneers during the 19th century.

The park offers exhibits, tours, short film screenings, and educational programs.

Museum of Indian Arts and Culture [NM]

Description

The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, one of four museums in the Museum of New Mexico system, is a premier repository of Native art and material culture. It tells the stories of the people of the Southwest from prehistory through the present day. The museum serves the public through changing exhibitions, public lectures, field trips, artist residencies, and other educational programs.

The museum offers a variety of events and exhibits to the public, several thematic tours designed for schoolchildren, tours for adults and other museum guests, and research materials and collections for researchers. The website offers visitor information; a history of the museum; online resources, including podcasts and online exhibitions; information on upcoming events; and information regarding the programs and exhibits offered by the museum.

Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historic Site [TX]

Description

Governor Hogg bought this property in 1902. While he had initially thought of it as an investment, Hogg soon came to think fondly of the plantation as a second home for his scattered family. Hogg was convinced that the property contained oil in quantities equal to Spindletop, and he drilled several wells trying to find it. He died, however, in 1906, 14 years before his beliefs were vindicated. The West Columbia field was brought in during 1920 and proved very productive, becoming the cornerstone of the Hogg family wealth. Until 1958, the Hogg family leased the surface rights for farming and raising livestock, but usually kept the house and immediate outbuildings for weekend and vacation use. In 1958, Miss Ima Hogg, well-known Texas collector and philanthropist, refurbished and refurnished the house and kitchen building and donated the property to the state to commemorate her father and other Texas and American heroes.

The site offers tours.

Banning Residence Museum [CA]

Description

The Banning Residence Museum chronicles the history and cultural context General Phineas Banning (1830-1885). General Banning is known as "The Father of the Port of Los Angeles," and is known for being one of the founders of the town of Wilmington as well as for founding the stage and shipping companies which would jump start the busy Port of Los Angeles. Banning was given the title of General after being appointed a Brigadier General of the First Brigade of the militia after he ceded land to the Union Army in order to build a fort in Wilmington.

The house museum is carefully preserved in its 19th century state, and offers visitors a snapshot of the home life of General Phineaus Banning. The website offers a first-person narrative which gives a brief biography of General Banning, an events calendar, and an online store.

Goleta Valley Historical Society and Rancho La Patera [CA]

Description

The Society manages and preserves the five-acre Rancho La Patera, including the 1873 Stow House gardens. Today, the society presents the Ranch as a historic house museum and living history site where visitors can experience rural ranch and California life in the late 1800s.

The museum offers a variety of events, visitor tours, educational programs, and tours tailored for schoolchildren. The website offers a brief history of the ranch, information about upcoming events, an events calendar, visitor information, and a section for teachers which includes a field trip guide.

Kam Wah Chung and Co. Museum [OR]

Description

The Kam Wah Chung Museum preserves the history of the Chinese workforce in Oregon, and contains artifacts and displays that share some of the trials of everyday life of Chinese immigrants in Oregon. The building that houses the museum is the same building used by Chinese businessman Lung On and herbal doctor Ing Hay to administer herbal remedies to Chinese laborers in Western Oregon.

The museum is open from May first through October 30th each year, and offers exhibits and artifacts showcasing the history of Chinese laborers in Oregon. The site offers a brief history of the museum and visitor information.

California Foundry History Institute [CA]

Description

Established in 1997, the California Foundry History Institute (CFHI) is a non-profit educational organization incorporated in the state of California and dedicated to the collection and preservation of historical records pertaining to the history of the foundry industry in California. An important part of this work is the recording, preservation, indexing, and transcription of oral interviews with the men and women who have played a significant role in the development of the foundry industry in California. CFHI also collects and preserves documents, photographs, artifacts and ephemera related to the history of foundries in California. Much of this historical information can be seen at the two CFHI museums in Lodi and McClellan (near Sacramento). The McClellan museum participates in Sacramento County’s annual Museum Day where hundreds of visitors tour Sacramento’s museums.

The museums offer photographs, manuscripts, and examples of foundry technology for visitors to explore, along with guided tours for schoolchildren and regular visitors. The site offers a five minute introductory video, visitor information for the museums, an events calendar, and online access to the institute's archives.