Canyon County Historical Society and Museums

Description

The Society operates two museums, the Nampa Train Depot Museum and Our Memories Indian Creek Museum. The Depot Museum is housed in a 1903 train depot and displays exhibits exploring agriculture, Thomas Edison, railroads, shaving implements, and other subjects. The Our Memories Museum provides visitors a tour back into the past with rooms depicting various scenes from yesteryear.

The museums offer exhibits and tours.

Edison Birthplace Museum [OH]

Description

Thomas Alva Edison, inventor of the phonograph, the incandescent light bulb, and many other devices that make modern life fuller and simpler, was born in Milan, OH, in 1847. The Edison Birthplace Museum features a collection of rare Edisonia, including examples of many of Edison's early inventions, documents, and family mementos.

The museum offers exhibits and tours.

Douglas County Historical Society and Watkins Community Museum of History [Kansas]

Description

The Douglas County Historical Society is responsible for the operation, preservation, and development of collections in the Watkins Community Museum of History. The Museum is housed in a building that was once the Land Mortgage Company and Watkins National Bank, constructed between 1885 and 1888; it displays exhibits on early settlement, toys, sports, and other local history topics.

The museum offers exhibits, tours, workshops, and educational and recreational events.

Guilford Keeping Society, Thomas Griswold House Museum, and Medad Stone Tavern [CT]

Description

The Society collects, preserves and shares the history and heritage of Guilford, CT, for present and future generations. The Society also maintains and operates the Thomas Griswold House Museum, which includes a c. 1774 New England saltbox house, an early blacksmith shop, a large barn filled with farm implements, two corn cribs, and a Victorian three-seat privy or outhouse. It further operates the Medad Stone Tavern, built in 1803 by Medad Stone.

The society offers research library access, classes, tours, and educational and recreational events; the buildings offer exhibits.

Cracker Country [FL]

Description

Cracker Country, a rural Florida outdoor living history museum was established so that future generations might better understand and appreciate Florida's rural heritage. From the rustic cypress log corn crib to the grand old two-story Carlton house, Cracker Country features 13 original buildings dating from 1870—1912. These buildings were moved to their present location from throughout the state, then restored and furnished with antiques of the period.

The site offers exhibits, tours, and demonstrations.

Columbia County Historical Society, Museum, and Historic Houses [New York]

Description

The Society is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the history of Columbia County, NY. The Society owns and operates three historic properties, open to the public during the summer season, and a museum, open year-round. The Columbia County Museum, open to the public since 1985, was originally built as a Masonic Temple in 1916. Today it houses the Society offices, research library, collections storage, and exhibit space. Volunteers and staff organize educational programs and aid in genealogical research as well as many other activities. The Society also operates the 1820s James Vanderpoel House and the 1737 Luykas Van Alen House.

The museums offer exhibits, tours, and research library access; the society offers lectures and educational and recreational programs.

Lake County Historical Society and Historic Sites [MN]

Description

Organized in 1925, the mission of the Lake County Historical Society is to preserve the history of Lake County, MN, through the preservation, study and interpretation of artifacts, documents, photographs, and historic sites. The Society also maintains several historic sites. The Two Harbors Light Station constructed in 1892 is the oldest operating light station in Minnesota and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The lighthouse museum explores the development of Agate Bay. The 3M Museum includes the original office and headquarters of Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing (3M). It was here, in 1902, that five businessmen embarked on a mining venture which laid the foundation for a successful global corporation. Exhibits include Attorney John Dwan's recreated office; a history of the company including photos, artifacts, and documents; a "lab" area representing research and development, product diversification, and growth; and a "hands on" interactive program of technology applications. The Depot Museum is in the 1907 headquarters of the Duluth and Iron Range Railroad, and highlights the early pioneering history of Lake County. Exhibits range from McDougal archaeological dig artifacts and a Paleo-Indian display to the first shipment of iron ore from Minnesota.

The Two Harbors Light Station offers exhibits and tours; the 3M Museum offers exhibits; and the Depot Museum offers short films and exhibits.