Totem Bight State Historical Park [AK]

Description

The park preserves 14 reconstructions of Native totem poles and a reconstruction of a community house or clanhouse. A house of this size could have housed 30 to 50 people. Although it is doubtful a clanhouse existed on this site (originally a fish camp), this design is representative of the type in many Indian villages built in the early 19th century.

The park is open to the public.

Mapping the National Parks jmccartney Wed, 10/07/2009 - 14:46
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Graphic, Mapping the National Parks
Annotation

Funded by the Rockefeller Corporation and part of the Library of Congress American Memory Project, this site features approximately 200 maps that document the history, cultural aspects, and geological features of the areas that became the Acadia, Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains, and Yellowstone National Parks. The maps date from the 17th century to the present and include early European, exploration, geological, environmental, United States Geological Survey, and National Park Service maps.

The site is divided into four sections, one for each of the featured national parks. Each section includes a 1200-word essay describing the history of the area and the process by which it became a national park, illustrated with five to seven maps.

The site also includes a bibliography of over 200 scholarly works on related topics. Other links include a 750-word general history of the mapping of national parks and a "Learn More About It" section that offers links to 14 Library of Congress Special Presentations and related collections and exhibits. The collection is keyword searchable and can be browsed by geographic location, subject, creator, and title. This easily navigable site is ideal for students and teachers interested in cartography, the National Parks system, and conservation in America.

Alexandria Black History Museum [VA]

Description

The mission of the Black History Museum is to enrich the lives of Alexandria's residents and visitors, to foster tolerance and understanding among all cultures, and to stimulate appreciation of the diversity of the African American experience. The institutional complex is composed of the Museum, the Watson Reading Room, and the Alexandria African-American Heritage Park. The Museum, devoted to exhibiting local and regional history, incorporates the Robert H. Robinson Library as one of two exhibition galleries. The Robert H. Robinson Library was originally constructed in 1940 following a sit-in at the segregated Alexandria Library. The Reading Room, established in 1995, provides an environment for learning about the diversity of African American cultural traditions. A nine-acre green space and wetland, the Park offers a place for celebration, commemoration, and quiet reflection.

The museum offers exhibits, tours, educational programs, research library access, and occasional recreational and educational events.

Crater of Diamonds State Park [AR]

Description

In 1906, John Huddleston, the local farmer who owned this property, found the first diamonds here in Murfreesboro, AR, and started the diamond mining rush. After a series of ill-fated mining ventures followed by tourist attractions, the site became an Arkansas state park in 1972. Visitors today are invited to prospect in the park's diamond search area, a 37-acre plowed field that is the eroded surface of an ancient volcanic pipe that, 95 million years ago, brought to the surface the diamonds and some of the semiprecious stones lucky visitors find here today. Within the park boundary many remnants of old mining ventures remain including the Mine Shaft Building, the Guard House, mining plant foundations, old mining equipment, and smaller artifacts. Nowhere else is North American diamond mining history as evident or as well-preserved as here.

The site offers short films, exhibits, tours, educational programs, and occasional recreational and educational events.

Missouri Headwaters State Park [MT]

Description

This park encompasses the confluence of the Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin Rivers. Lewis and Clark anticipated this important headwaters all the way up the Missouri River. An easy three-mile drive off Interstate 90 at Three Forks, this undeveloped park provides outdoor interpretive signs, picnic spots, short hiking trails, a small campground, and—just as the Corps of Discovery found—plenty of mosquitoes!

The site offers occasional recreational and educational events.

Giant Springs State Park [MT]

Description

This historic freshwater springs site was discovered by the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1805— it is one of the largest freshwater springs in the world, flowing at a measured 156 million gallons of water per day. This day-use park gives visitors an opportunity to picnic by the Missouri River, visit the fish hatchery and visitor center, walk along the Rivers Edge Trail, view nearby Rainbow Falls overlook, or visit the neighboring Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center operated by the U.S. Forest Service.

The site offers exhibits and occasional recreational and educational events.

Fort Owen State Park [MT]

Description

Fort Owen's adobe and log remains preserve the site of the first permanent white settlement in Montana. Major John Owen established the fort as a regional trade center in 1850 and period furnishings and artifacts are displayed in the restored rooms of the east barracks. In 30 minutes, visitors can browse through a small museum housed in preserved and partially reconstructed structures.

The site offers exhibits and occasional recreational and educational events.

Johnsonville State Historic Park [TN]

Description

Johnsonville State Historic Park is named for Military Governor Andrew Johnson. This 600-acre park on the eastern side of Kentucky Lake overlooks the site of the Battle of Johnsonville. On November 4, 1864, at Johnsonville, Major General Nathan Bedford Forrest's cavalry took up artillery positions on the west bank of the Tennessee River. Calvary forces under Forrest sank four Federal gunboats downstream and destroyed a Union Army supply depot on the east bank at Johnsonville. Four of the original breastworks (rifle pits) are beautifully preserved. Two large forts in the park are open to visitors.

The park offers tours and educational programs.

Cordell Hull Birthplace and Museum [TN]

Description

The site consists of a representation of Hull's log cabin birthplace, an activities center, and a museum housing documents and artifacts. Also on the park is beautiful Bunkum Cave Trail leading to an overlook and the actual entrance of historic Bunkum Cave where Cordell Hull's father made moonshine years ago. The collection includes his Nobel Peace Prize that is on display.

The museum offers a short film, exhibits, and occasional recreational and educational events.

Pinson Mounds State Archaeological Park [TN]

Description

Pinson Mounds, one of two state archaeological parks, is a special park, set aside to protect the prehistoric remains found there. The Pinson Mounds grouping consists of at least 15 earthen mounds, a geometric enclosure, habitation areas, and related earthworks in an area that incorporates almost 1,200 acres.

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