Historic Houston [TX]

Description

Historic Houston is dedicated to the preservation of Houston's historic and architectural heritage. In addition, Historic Houston is a leader is sustainable design, and has won several awards such as the "Outstanding Environmental Leadership Award."

Historic Houston offers an educational series of workshops, lectures, and classes that are open to the public and to school groups. The website offers general information about Historic Houston as well as information regarding the educational series.

Herkimer Home State Historic Site [NY]

Description

The Herkimer Home is the old home of Revolutionary War hero General Nicholas Herkimer. The Georgian-style mansion and surrounding grounds look much the same as they did during the 18th century.

The home offers guided tours, re-enactments, field trip programs, hiking trails, demonstrations, and special events including summer camps and special presentations. The website offers visitor information and a brief history of the site.

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.

Historic Warehouse District Development Corporation [OH]

Description

The Historic Warehouse District Development Corporation seeks to bolster the vitality of Cleveland, Ohio's previous commercial center. Prior to the 1850s, this area served as Cleveland's residential section. Over time, it shifted to hold warehouses, small businesses, and offices for the iron, coal, railway, and shipping industries. By the 1920s, this section of the city had grown to include a garment district, rivaling the garment production of New York City at that time.

The Historic Warehouse District Development Corporation offers guided and self-guided neighborhood walking tours.

San Francisco Architectural Heritage [CA]

Description

San Francisco Architectural Heritage seeks to preserve and share the history of San Francisco's architectural structures. The society operates the Haas-Lilienthal House, built 1886. It is the only Queen Anne-style Victorian in the country to offer tours regularly. The interior is decorated in period style.

The organization offers Haas-Lilienthal House tours, neighborhood tours, and an educational program for students. This program consists of a teacher's workshop, a traveling trunk, a treasure hunt tour of a Victorian neighborhood, and a tour of the Haas-Lilienthal House. Teachers must be Heritage-trained to participate in the educational programming. The website offers interior photographs and floor plans of the Haas-Lilienthal House.

Farnsworth House [IL]

Description

The Farnsworth House is one of the most significant architectural works of the 20th century. The home, built in 1951, was conceived as a country retreat for Dr. Edith Farnsworth in 1945. The structure "represents the ultimate refinement of [architect] Mies van der Rohe's minimalist expression," and is "perhaps the fullest expression of modernist ideals," according to the home's website. Today, the home stands as a historic house museum and monument to architectural excellence.

The house offers guided tours, while the website offers a history of the house, a brief biography of Mies van der Rohe, and visitor information. In order to contact the website via email, use the "contact" link located at the bottom of the webpage.

Northwood Hills Neighborhood Association [FL]

Description

The Northwood Hills Neighborhood Association is dedicated to maintaining the history of the Northwood Hills Neighborhood as well as functioning as a typical neighborhood association. In particular, the association works with other local groups in order to preserve important historic structures.

The association offers tours of historic and architecturally significant homes. The website offers information regarding upcoming tours and events. In order to contact the association via email, use the "contact us" link located on the left side of the webpage.

Miami Design Preservation League [FL]

Description

The Miami Design Preservation League seeks to preserve and share the history of Miami's architecture, both within and outside of the Miami Beach Architectural Historic District. Miami is perhaps most widely known for its Art Deco architecture. However, the historic district includes Art Deco, Mediterranean Revival, and Miami Modern (MiMo) structures.

The league offers a film series, lectures, a gallery with exhibits related to the Art Deco movement, guided walking tours, iPod or cellphone self-guided walking tours, and guided bicycle or Segway tours.