Monterey History and Art Association and Museum [CA]

Description

The Monterey History and Art Association is dedicated to preserving the history of Monterey, CA. To this end, the association has two main projects, preserving historic homes and structures in Monterey and operating the Monterey Maritime and History Museum. The museum opened in 1971 and today holds almost 6000 artifacts and 50,000 photographs and papers. The association also releases a quarterly newsletter, "The Beacon."

The site offers visitor information regarding the museum, an events calendar, historical and visitor information regarding the historic buildings owned by the association, .pdf files of recent newsletters, and information about educational programs and tours offered by the association.

California Department of Parks & Recreation, Office of Historic Preservation [CA]

Description

"The mission of the Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) and the State Historical Resources Commission (SHRC), in partnership with the people of California and governmental agencies, is to preserve and enhance California's irreplaceable historic heritage as a matter of public interest so that its vital legacy of cultural, educational, recreational, aesthetic, economic, social, and environmental benefits will be maintained and enriched for present and future generations." To accomplish this mission, the California OHP and SHRC have a number of programs designed to reward and encourage preservation efforts statewide, including "California Main Street," a program dedicated to revitalizing downtowns across the state, as well as a variety of preservation grants awarded to citizens and organizations focused on preserving historic structures or landmarks.

The site offers in depth information about all SHRC and OHP programs, visitor and historical information about all state parks and historic landmarks, past newsletters, information about training and workshops offered, and links to other resources, including the Tribal Historic Preservation office.

Discovery Museum [CA]

Description

"The Discovery Museum of Sacramento is a family-focused educational institution dedicated to enriching the lives of local residents and visitors to the Sacramento Region by encouraging the exploration of history, science, and space." The museum is split into two entities, the Challenger Learning Center, which is an interactive space mission simulator which consists of a realistic Mission Control Center and spacecraft, and the Science and Space Center, which is a traditional museum focusing on scientific discovery. The Challenger Learning Center is primarily a children's educational center, and is only open to public groups by appointment. The Science and Space Center features a variety of exhibits, including live animals and a planetarium.

The site offers an events calendar, visitor information for both locations, an online gift shop, and information on all programs offered by the Challenger Space Center.

Fort Tejon State Historic Park [CA]

Description

Fort Tejon is located in the Grapevine Canyon, the main route between California's great central valley and Southern California. The fort was established to protect and control the Indians who were living on the Sebastian Indian Reservation, and to protect both the Indians and white settlers from raids by the Paiutes, Chemeheui, Mojave, and other Indian groups of the desert regions to the southeast. Fort Tejon was first garrisoned by the United States Army on August 10, 1854 and was abandoned ten years later on September 11, 1864. There are restored adobes from the original fort, and the park's museum features exhibits on army life and local history.

The park offers exhibits, tours, educational programs, living history events, and other recreational and educational events.

Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation and Aviation Museum [CA]

Description

The Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation was founded in 1999, and has a mission to support the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar Command Museum. The Foundation does this mainly by providing volunteers and additional funding to support limited Department of Defense funding. The Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum is one of only four certified Marine Corps Command Museums, and is the only museum in the world dedicated to preserving the history of the U.S. Marine Corps aviation. The museum boasts a collection of over 40 vintage aircraft, an extensive research library, photos, video, and valuable memorabilia and artifacts.

The site offers visitor information, detailed information on the history and current operations of the foundation, a photo gallery featuring photographs of 20 vintage aircraft, an events calendar, and an online museum store. In order to contact the foundation via email, use the "contact" link on the left side of the webpage.

Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace Foundation [CA]

Description

The Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace Foundation serves three main functions. First, the Foundation aids in the operation of the presidential library for Richard Nixon. As such, the library offers an enormous amount of documents and information about the Nixon presidency, including all primary sources relevant to the administration. For research access and information, visit http://www.nixonlibrary.gov/, the official website of the Nixon Library. Secondly, the site serves as a historic house museum, and gives visitors a view of Richard Nixon aside from his presidency. Finally, the Foundation helps to raise interest and scholarship in the Nixon presidency by hosting events at the Nixon Library throughout the year.

The site offers an events calendar, a very short virtual tour of the museum, links to the the Nixon presidential library, an event planner, and limited information about current exhibits.

San Jose Fire Museum [CA]

Description

The San Jose Fire Museum chronicles the history of the San Jose Fire Department, which was founded in 1854 and is the oldest paid fire departments in the country. The museum houses over 27 pieces of antique firefighting equipment as well as a collection of photographs of early firefighters in the San Jose Fire Department. The museum is open to tours by appointment. Finally, the museum is working to save San Jose Fire Station One and convert it into a new, state of the art, fire museum.

The site offers an events calendar, an online gift shop, material for educators, including lesson plans and interactive online activities, visitor information, and general information about the museum. In order to contact the museum by email, use the "contact us" link on the main webpage.

Coronado Historical Association Museum of History & Art

Description

Coronado Island in the Bay of San Diego has a rich and storied history dating back to early Spanish explorers in the new world. The island was first surveyed in the early 17th century, but was not settled until 1846, when Mexico, newly independent from Spain, gave land grants to prospective settlers for Coronado Island. The Island then became a popular resort destination in the late 19th century, when the Hotel Del Coronado was built. Now, the southern portion of the island is owned by the United States Navy, and the northern part of the island is a popular suburb of San Diego. The Coronado museum gives visitors a taste of this rich history as well as art produced by local San Diego area artists.

The site offers visitor information, information about current, past, and upcoming exhibits, information on the art galleries currently available, an online store, and an events calendar.

Hollywood Heritage, Inc. [CA]

Description

Hollywood Heritage Inc. is dedicated to preserving Hollywood's past. Hollywood Heritage takes an active role in issues involving the historic structures along the Hollywood Boulevard Commercial and Entertainment National Register District as well as other structures in Hollywood. In addition to fighting for the preservation of historic Hollywood structures, Hollywood Heritage Inc. also runs a museum and hosts a variety of events in their headquarters, the Wattles Mansion.

The site offers press releases and information for activists regarding current preservation efforts. In addition, the site offers an archive of past newsletters, and an events calendar.

Del Mar Historical Society [CA]

Description

The Del Mar Historical Society works to collect, preserve, and chronicle the history of Del Mar, California. Del Mar's history is a tapestry of railroads, racehorses, fashionable hotels, sparkling beaches and glamorous Hollywood stars. The society puts out four newsletters a year and has an extensive collection of historical artifacts from Del Mar's history.

The site offers information about the society, an events calendar, a brief historical section about Del Mar, and an online store.