Historic Speedwell [NJ]

Description

Historic Speedwell presents mid-19th-century life through the estate of Stephen Vail (1780-1864), proprietor of Speedwell Iron Works. The site highlight is the factory building where Alfred Vail (1807-1859) and Samuel F.B. Morse (1791-1872) completed and publicly demonstrated the electromagnetic telegraph in 1838. Other structures include an operational waterwheel; the Vail Home, furnished to an 1844 to 1864 appearance; 1849 carriage house; several residences; and a historic granary.

The site offers period rooms; traditional and interactive exhibits; guided tours of the factory building, Vail home, and Wheelhouse; hands-on workshops; Scout programs; and educational programs.

National Soaring Museum [NY]

Description

The National Soaring Museum presents the history of non-motorized flight. It is one of two museums worldwide to focus on the subject. The museum collections include more than 80 sailplanes, dating to as early as the 1890s.

The museum offers exhibits, flight simulators, guided tours, self-guided tours, an educational overnight program, and a day camp. Reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance for group tours. Group guided tours are only available for groups of 20 or more.

Comstock House Historic Site [MN]

Description

The Comstock House Historic Site preserves the 1882 home of Solomon Comstock—founder of both the First National Bank and Moorhead State University and an early stakeholder in the creation of a Red River Valley railroad. The interior contains the original Queen Anne Eastlake furnishings.

The site offers period rooms and guided tours.

Belair Mansion and Stables [MD]

Description

Belair Mansion, built in 1745 as a plantation home, was originally owned by Samuel Ogle, provincial Governor of Maryland. The plantation specialized in tobacco, and the residence itself was created in the Georgian style. The museum collections consist of objects similar to those owned by the Ogle and Woodward families, resident in the mansion between the 18th and 20th centuries. The stables were used to house thoroughbreds as early as 1747, and the stable contains artifacts related to transportation and horse racing.

The museum offers period rooms and stables. Appointments are required for all groups of 10 or more. The website offers a video tour and audio podcast tour of the mansion.

North Carolina Railroad Museum

Description

The North Carolina Railroad Museum is an outdoor museum consisting of exhibits of historic railroad equipment. Many of the artifacts in the collection were made and/or used in North Carolina. Collection highlights include a 1/24-scale model railroad with over 1,000 feet of track; eight stationary historic locomotives, dating from 1941 to 1953; and eight operating historic railway cars.

The museum offers exhibits, locomotive rides, and a barbecue vendor.

Liberty State Park and Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal

Description

From 1892 through 1954, the CRRNJ Terminal stood with the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island to unfold one of this nation's most dramatic stories: the immigration of northern, southern, and eastern Europeans, among others, into the United States. After being greeted by the Statue of Liberty and processed at Ellis Island, these immigrants purchased tickets and boarded trains at the Terminal to their new homes.

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

Woodlawn Museum [ME]

Description

Woodlawn Museum is a historic home, containing its original furnishings. Collections include both European and American art, furniture, carriages, and sleighs. Completed in 1827, Woodlawn housed a major area timber and land dealing family.

The museum offers guided tours, period rooms, free croquet lessons, an annual lecture series, a hands-on historic game library, and gardens. All special events include children's activities. Reservations are required for school tours. Picnic lunches are welcome on grounds. The website offers children's activities.

Nevada County Historical Society and Museums [CA]

Description

The Nevada County Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Nevada County, California. To this end, the society operates the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum, North Star Mine Powerhouse and Pelton Wheel Museum, Firehouse Museum, and Searls Library. The railroad museum presents local transportation history. Collection highlights include seven historic railroad cars, dating from 1889 to circa 1940. The mining museum's collection highlights include a working Cornish pump; working stamp mill; and the largest Pelton wheel, a mechanism for supplying air to power the mines, ever made. The Firehouse Museum, housed in an 1861 structure, presents exhibits on the Maidu people, the Donner Party, Chinese-American daily life and religion between 1877 and 1938, and vernacular items dating from circa 1850 to present.

The society offers monthly speakers and both library and archive access. Research assistance is available for a fee. The railroad museum and firehouse museum offer exhibits. The mining museum offers self-guided tours, period dioramas, and exhibits. The website offers digital historical and genealogical databases.

LaGrange Plantation [MD]

Description

LaGrange Plantation is home to the Dorchester County Historical Society, which seeks to preserve and share the history of Dorchester County, Maryland. To this end, the society operates several museums and an archive. The circa 1760 Georgian Meredith House displays decorative arts pieces and artifacts pertaining to the seven Maryland governors from Dorchester County. The Nelid Museum presents local agricultural life from colonial times onward. The Goldsborough Stable presents transportation and trade artifacts. The workshop of Ron Rue, noted huntng decoy maker; a historic food storage structure and smokehouse; and a colonial-style herb garden are also on site.

The plantation offers exhibits, period rooms, and a historically styled garden. The website offers a video tour of the Nelid Museum.