African American Firefighters Museum and Brown's Forge [CA]

Description

"The African American Fire Fighter Museum is a non-profit organization dedicated to collecting, conserving and sharing the heritage of African American firefighters." The museum is located in old Fire Station 30, which has been named a Los Angeles Historical-Cultural site. The museum offers a variety of exhibits on firefighting and firefighting equipment, but focuses on the "Old Stentorians," firefighters who served during the periods of segregation and desegregation.

The site offers historical information regarding firefighting and black firefighters, an online listing of publications, and visitor information.

Marin History Museum [CA]

Description

"Founded in 1935, the Marin History Museum celebrates the traditions of innovation and creativity of the people of Marin County. Through exhibitions and educational programs, the Museum inspires honor for the past, an understanding of the present, and an imagination of the future." The museum was opened in 1959, and today offers one changing exhibit per year focusing on the history and culture of Marin County. The museum also offers a variety of educational events and programs throughout the year.

The site offers historical information about the museum, visitor information, an events calendar, event information, and an online store.

California Foundry History Museum [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." The institute owns and operates two museums in the greater Sacramento area. Both museums offer impressive collections pertaining to California history and the history of the California foundry industry.

The site offers visitor information, a five minute long introductory movie, and a listing of all resources in the institute's archives.

William S. Hart Park [CA]

Description

The William S. Hart Park is located less than an hour from Los Angeles, CA, and is a historic house museum consisting of the former home and ranch of William Hart (1864-1946), a noted silent film director. The mansion contains original furnishings, an impressive collection of Western Art, and artifacts from early Hollywood and Native American tribes. Visitors to the mansion can also enjoy the rest of the ranch grounds, which have been fully restored to their state in the early 1900s.

The site offers visitor information, a brief biography of William Hart, and an events calendar.

Livermore Heritage Guild and Museums [CA]

Description

"The goal of the Livermore Heritage Guild is expressed by its motto, 'Help save yesterday for tomorrow.' The Guild is an information source for those who are interested in the history of Livermore and houses its collection in the historic Carnegie Library Building in downtown Livermore." The guild also runs the Duarte Garage Museum, a 1915 automotive garage, and the 1911 Carnegie Museum, originally built as a public library and now serving as the guild's headquarters.

The site features a slideshow of downtown Livermore, an events calendar, recent news, and an online museum store.

Pacific Southwest Railroad Museum [CA]

Description

"The Pacific Southwest Railway Museum Association is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of railroads as they existed in the Pacific Southwest." The museum hosts an impressive collection of railroad equipment, including locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, cabooses, and even support equipment.

The site offers a virtual tour, a history of southwestern railroads, a photo gallery of the museum's collection of railcars, and an events calendar.

Cooper-Molera Adobe [CA]

Description

The Cooper-Molera Adobe was fully restored in the 1980s and now shows visitors the full elegance and wealth of the John Rogers Cooper family. In addition to the home, the adobe also has two full acres which are open to visitors. Visitors can see the barns, vegetable and fruit gardens, and farm animals that the Cooper family owned.

The home offers guided tours. The website offers basic historical and visitor information.

Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park [CA]

Description

Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park is the site of a complex of buildings erected around the original Santa Cruz Mission. Part of the cluster, the Neary-Rodriguez Adobe was built in 1791 and is the last of the mission's many buildings to survive. The single-story adobe has been restored to its original appearance. Misión la Exaltacion de la Santa Cruz was the 12th mission built in California. It was completed during the 1790s. Damaged by several earthquakes, it collapsed in 1857.

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

Sugar Pine Point State Park and Hellman-Ehrman Mansion [CA]

Description

Ed Z'berg-Sugar Pine Point State Park contains nearly two miles of lake frontage, with dense forests of pine, fir, aspen, and juniper. Another attraction is the Hellman-Ehrman Mansion (also known as Pine Lodge), a summer home built in 1903 in a grove of pine and cedar. From the turn of the century until 1965, the lands of what is now Ed Z'berg-Sugar Pine Point State Park were owned by financier Isaias W. Hellman, and later by his daughter Florence Hellman. The mansion provides a view into the lifestyles of the wealthy on Lake Tahoe.

The mansion offers tours.

El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park [CA]

Description

This is the site of the oldest building in Santa Barbara and the second oldest in California. Visitors can step back and view this historic site surrounded by modern buildings. El Cuartel, the oldest existing building in Santa Barbara, is all that remains of the last of four Royal Presidios (Spanish military outposts) built in Alta California. The presidio in Santa Barbara was built in 1782. It served as the military and government headquarters for the lands between Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo until 1846. Two original buildings have been restored and five others reconstructed. Handmade adobe blocks were used to reconstruct the Padres' Quarters and Presidio Chapel.

The park offers exhibits and tours.