Lake of the Ozarks State Park [MO]

Description

Vistors can enjoy the solitude of an undeveloped cove, hidden along the shorelines of one of Missouri's largest lakes, Lake of the Ozarks. The 17,626-acre Lake of the Ozarks State Park offers this opportunity, along with a variety of recreational activities on the lake or on shore. The region lies near the middle Osage River, which was a vital resource to Native Americans, fur traders, and early homesteaders of central and western Missouri throughout the 17th to early 20th centuries; later in history, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) worked to build many of the foundation structures that still give the park its character today.

The site offers educational programs.

Campus Martius Museum [OH]

Description

The Campus Martius Museum highlights migration in Ohio's history. The museum is on the site of the fortification built by the Ohio Company of Associates, as their headquarters, in 1788 when they founded the first organized American settlement in the Northwest Territory. The restored Rufus Putnam house, part of the original fort, is now enclosed within a wing of the museum. Behind the museum is the Ohio Company's Land Office. Exhibits on the main floor of the museum focus on the early settlement of Marietta and Ohio and contain many of the original pioneer artifacts. The exhibits also explore the prehistoric Indian populations that occupied this area and relations with the historic Indians as the white settlers moved in. Other areas explore such topics as surveying of the land, early government in the old Northwest Territory, and life in early Marietta. A separate area exhibits a variety of material from the Marietta area down through the years, from items of household furnishings, to toys, to tools, to fire prevention equipment.

The museum offers exhibits, tours, and workshops and other educational programs.

Iron Mission State Park Museum [UT]

Description

Iron Mission State Park Museum tells the story of development in Iron County when in the 1850s, Brigham Young sent Mormon missionaries here to mine and process iron. Museum displays include horse-drawn vehicles used from 1850 to 1920 and a collection of pioneer artifacts. An iron industry exhibit features the only known remaining artifact from the original foundry—the town bell. In addition to the permanent collections, changing special exhibits highlight artists from the local region, as well as rarely seen artifacts from the museum's collections. Other items of interest include several historic cabins, a large collection of horse-drawn farm equipment, and a replicated pioneer household. In addition, Iron Mission now manages the historic ruins of Old Iron Town, an iron foundry west of Cedar City that operated in the 1860s—1870s.

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

Boone Station State Historic Site

Description

"Daniel Boone (1734-1820), known for his role in the exploring and settling of the Kentucky frontier decided that the settlement of Boonesborough had become far too crowded. In December 1779, Boone and his family established Boone’s Station. At its height, the community had 15 to 20 families, including the Boone, Barrow, Hays, Morgan, Muir, Scholl and, Stinson families.

Daniel Boone and his family endured many hardships while living at Boone's Station. Both his son Israel, and nephew Thomas Boone were killed at the Battle of Blue Licks in 1781. By 1781, Boone’s claim to Boone Station proved to be invalid. He and other members of the settlement continued to live there for a brief period. However, by 1791 Boone Station had ceased to exist. In 1795, Robert Frank purchased 500 acres that included the Station site.

Eventually Boone and his family moved to Missouri where the famous pioneer died in 1820. In 1845, the Governor, and General Assembly of Kentucky requested that the remains of Daniel Boone and his wife Rebecca Bryan Boone be reburied in Kentucky. They are buried in the State Cemetery in Frankfort, Kentucky."

Wyoming Pioneer Memorial Museum

Description

The museum collects, preserves, interprets, and displays historical and cultural materials related to the westward expansion, to Wyoming pioneers in particular, and to the west in general. Today, the 15,900-square-foot facility consists of the main building as well as the original cabin, two school houses, a rebuilt gristmill, and a shelter. The collections include pioneer and ranching memorabilia, textiles, and an extensive Native American artifact and decorative art display.

A second website for the museum can be found here.

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

The Village Green Heritage Center [CA]

Description

The Village Green Heritage Center presents the history of the Palm Springs area, California. The center is located in two historic structures. The 1884 McCallum Adobe, built for the area's first permanent settler of European descent, houses vernacular items, textiles, Native American artifacts, artworks, and photographs. The 1893 Little House, built of used railroad ties, is set to period.

The center offers period rooms and exhibits.

Territorial Statehouse State Park Museum [UT]

Description

Territorial Statehouse in Fillmore is Utah's oldest existing governmental building. In anticipation of Utah's statehood, early pioneer Brigham Young directed construction of the building as the state's capitol. Only the south wing was ever completed. The existing portion was finished in time for the December 1855 meeting of the Territorial Legislature, which was the only full session held in the old statehouse. In December 1858, the seat of government was returned to Salt Lake City. Today, the Statehouse reveals Utah pioneer culture and history, through artifacts and paintings. Two restored pioneer cabins and an 1867 stone schoolhouse are also located on the grounds.

The museum offers exhibits and occasional recreational and educational events.

Teaching the Donner Party as a Debate

Description

Eighth-grade American history educator Eric Langhorst discusses his techniques for exploring the fate of the Donner Party in the classroom, using the PBS documentary The Donner Party from PBS and in-class debate over the role of Lansford Hastings in the tragedy.

To listen to the podcast select "Direct link to Podcast #181 - Teaching the Donner Party as a Debate." The video clip shows the in-class debate.