California State Military Museum

Description

The California State Military Museum is the official state military museum, under the U.S. Army. Today, the museum houses over 30,000 artifacts, a library with over 10,000 volumes, and archives. These collections include items of importance to state and national military history of all military branches, ranging in time from prior to the Spanish American War to World War II.

The museum offers exhibits, a research library, an image library with a number of online selections, and guided tours for school groups.

James Madison's Montpelier [VA]

Description

The Montpelier Foundation's primary mission is to present the lasting legacy of James Madison (1751–1836) as Father of the U.S. Constitution, architect of the Bill of Rights, and fourth president of the United States. The Montpelier estate, home of Madison for the majority of his life, features the Madison mansion, historic buildings, gardens, forests, a freedman's cabin and farm, and the site of a Civil War encampment.

The Montpelier Foundation offers exhibits, an archaeological lab and sites, hands-on activities, an introductory film, guided tours of the Madison mansion, self-guided landscape tours, a variety of other thematic guided tours, limited transportation grants, and educational programming with suggested grade levels (including in-class outreach presentations).

Schriver House Museum [PA]

Description

The Schriver House Museum aims to provide a unique perspective often overlooked by interpreters of the Battle of Gettysburg—namely the civilian experience, offering an authentic glimpse of what life was like during the war years. Guides in period attire tell the Shriver family's story within their restored home, originally built in 1860. The property temporarily housed Union soldiers and includes a garret used by Confederate sharpshooters during the Battle of Gettysburg and a cellar where locals gathered to escape the fighting. Collections include photographs and documents concerning the Shriver family and artifacts discovered during the architectural restoration. A mid-19th century "in town" garden is situated directly behind the Shriver's home.

The museum offers exhibits and tours guided by docents in period attire.

Pickett's Mill Battlefield Historic Site [GA]

Description

On May 27, 1864, the Federal Army, having been stopped in its advance on Atlanta two days earlier by the Battle of New Hope Church, attempted to outflank the Confederate position. Some 14,000 Federal troops were selected for the task, and General Howard was given command. After a five-hour march, Howard's force reached the vicinity of Pickett's Mill and prepared to attack. Waiting were 10,000 Confederate troops under the command of General Cleburne. The Federal assault began at 5 p.m. and continued into the night. Daybreak found the Confederates still in possession of the field. The Federals had lost 1,600 men compared to the Confederate loss of 500. The Confederate victory resulted in a one-week delay of the Federal advance on Atlanta. Pickett's Mill is one of the best preserved Civil War battlefields in the nation. Visitors can travel roads used by Federal and Confederate troops, see earthworks constructed by these men, and walk through the same ravine where hundreds died. An 1850's cabin is located on site, and a research library offers maps, books, microfilm, newspapers, and other materials.

The site offers an introductory film, exhibits, 4 miles of trails, a list of Georgia educational standards met by the topic of the site (available online), special event first person and narrative demonstrations performed as living history, a student quiz (available online), guided tours, educational activities, and a research library.

Chemung County History Museum [NY]

Description

The Chemung County History Museum presents the history of the Chemung River Valley, New York and Pennsylvania. Library highlights include information on celebrated author Mark Twain's (1835-1910) life in Elmira, New York and research, official documentation, and personal accounts of the Elmira Prison Camp. The camp was in use between 1864 and 1865 and housed Confederate prisoners of the Civil War.

The museum offers exhibits, educational programs, guided walking tours, outreach programs, traveling trunks, a National History Day competition, an annual Civil War lecture series, and research library access. Library access is free to members and students. The website offers historical photographs.

Mansfield State Historic Site [LA]

Description

Mansfield State Historic Site commemorates a series of Civil War skirmishes which culminated in the April 9, 1864 Battle of Pleasant Hill. The resulting Confederate victory prevented the Union from entering Texas and upset the Union's main objectives at that point in the war—the capture of Texas and the Confederate Trans-Mississippi Headquarters in Shreveport, Louisiana.

The site offers guided tours, exhibits, battle re-enactments, educational programs, living history events, and a picnic area.

Museum and White House of the Confederacy [VA]

Description

The Museum of the Confederacy is located in Richmond, Virginia, and is housed in the Civil War residence of Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederacy. The home serves as both a historic house museum and general museum of the Confederacy.

The museum offers a variety of exhibits that showcase the history of the Confederacy, living history programs during the summer months, and tours for adults and children. The website offers teacher resources, including lesson plans and field trip information; visitor information; and a calendar of events.

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum [IL]

Description

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum presents the history of President Abraham Lincoln and the state of Illinois. The non-circulating Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library's mission is the collection and preservation of archival resources related to state history. Holdings include more than 5,000 newspaper titles, 400,000 photographs, 5,000 broadsides, 7,000 audio tapes, 1,000 World War II oral histories, 10,000,000 manuscripts, and 1,500 letters signed by Lincoln. The museum focuses on Lincoln's life, divided between his presidency and the preceding years.

The museum offers traditional and interactive exhibits, full-scale dioramas, a 17-minute film, storytelling, a 15-minute holograph presentation, a children's area, library tours, research library access, a high school summer internship program, and catered box lunches. Appointments are necessary for research in the Manuscripts, Audiovisual, and Lincoln Collections. Advance notice is required for all school groups, box lunches, and for library tours. Wheelchairs are available for use on the premises. Theater presentation scripts are available in French, German, Spanish, and Japanese. The website offers a list of relevant state educational standards, seven teacher resource guides, information on the Horace Mann-Abraham Lincoln Fellowship for educators, and an educator's pass.

Robert Toombs House Historic Site [GA]

Description

Robert Toombs is notable for his service during the mid-1800s as a U.S. Congressman and Senator. He is also known for the creation of the Georgia state constitution, which was not changed until 1945. The home is a beautiful piece of Southern architecture, and today serves as a historic house museum.

The home offers tours, a variety of exhibits, a short video portraying Toombs, and special events including lectures and special exhibits. The website offers a brief biography of Toombs, an events calendar, and visitor information.

Slifer House Museum [PA]

Description

Eli Slifer is notable for serving in the position of Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania during the Civil War. It was during this period that the Slifer house was completed. Slifer lived in this home until his death in 1888. Today, the house and the surrounding grounds are owned by Albright Care Services, and offer visitors a view into the history of Pennsylvania as well as a variety of events, including tours and a summer camp.

The museum offers tours and occasional educational and recreational events.