Derby Historical Society [CT]

Description

The Derby Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the histories of Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton, Connecticut. To this end, the society operates the General David Humphreys House. David Humphreys (1752-1818) was a personal friend of George Washington; and became the first U.S. ambassador, assigned to Portugal. The house has been furnished in the style of mid 18th century.

The society offers walking tours and an educational role-playing program designed for fifth graders, the Day in 1972 Program.

Fraunces Tavern Museum [NY]

Description

The Fraunces Tavern Museum commemorates the historical use of the Fraunces tavern, originally built as a residence in 1719. After being remade into a tavern in 1762, the structure served as the early Departments of War, the Treasury, and Foreign Affairs, as well as the site of George Washington's 1783 farewell address to the officers of the Continental Army. The museum currently includes the original tavern and four 19th-century buildings. Exhibits include Revolutionary War topics; an 18th-century public dining room, site of Washington's farewell address; and the Clinton Room, named after New York's first governor of American citizenship, George Clinton. Collection highlights include one of George Washington's false teeth.

The museum offers period rooms, exhibits, educational programs on early American taverns and the Revolutionary War, and lectures.

John Paul Jones House Museum [NH]

Description

The John Paul Jones House Museum structure was built as a residence in 1758. After the death of her husband, the owner of the home rented it out to gentlemen boarders. Revolutionary War hero John Paul Jones (1747-1792) stayed in the home on two separate occasions: while waiting for the Ranger to sail in 1777 and while awaiting the readiness of the U.S.S. America in 1781. The house collection includes period decorative arts, costume and wedding gowns, firearms, toys, and documents.

The museum offers period rooms, exhibits, and tours covering Jones' life.

Putnam Memorial State Park [CT]

Description

This was the site of the Continental Army's 1779 winter encampment under the command of General Israel Putnam. The site consists of the remains of the encampment, reconstructed log buildings, and a museum.

The site offers exhibits, tours, educational programs, and occasional recreational and educational events (including living history events).

Prescott Farm [RI]

Description

Prescott Farm presents Revolutionary War era rural life in Aquidneck Island, Rhode Island. The site consists of public access areas, as well as several historic structures rented to tenant stewards. Historically, General Richard Prescott, commander of the 4,000-strong British occupying force on Aquidneck Island, took the house owned by Loyalist John Overing (the circa 1730 Nichols-Overing House) as his rural headquarters. On July 10, 1777, American Colonel William Barton, under cover of darkness, led a party of 30 or more men in longboats to the farm, where they absconded with Prescott and his aid. Structures on site include the 1812 Robert Sherman Windmill; the Hicks House, built circa 1715 and now called The Country Store; the mid–1700's guard house; and the Sweet-Anthony House, built circa 1730. Prescott Farm’s kitchen and herb gardens are living laboratories that showcase period horticulture as well as contemporary gardening practices. The plant varieties grown in the gardens represent what many Aquidneck Islanders may have used for food, medicine and other utilitarian purposes in the colonial era.

The farm offers exhibits, guided tours, and educational programming.

Historic Smithfield Plantation [VA]

Description

William Preston was about 45 years old when he moved his family to Smithfield in March of 1774. He and his wife had seven children at that time; five more children were born at Smithfield. Colonel Preston began at once to make Smithfield a productive and profitable plantation. Smithfield was first opened to the public in 1964; and today is a living document of the past.

The site offers tours, living history demonstrations, workshops, classes, and other occasional educational and recreational events.

Rural Hill: Center of Scottish Heritage [NC]

Description

Rural Hill consists of the 265-acre farmlands of John Davidson, Revolutionary War soldier and son of Scottish immigrants. The site contains a reconstruction of the Davidson home, as well as two historic schoolhouses (built 1890 and circa 1898) and the original ash house, chicken shed, granary, barn, well house, and smoke house. Today, the property operates as a working farm.

The center offers educational programs, walking trails, hayrides, and guided tours on period farm life and Rural Hill's involvement in the American Revolution. The website offers activities and suggested reading for educators.

Cliveden of the National Trust [PA]

Description

The Cliveden National Trust Historic Site is located in the Germantown neighborhood in Philadelphia. The house served seven generations of Philadelphia's Chew family, and housed British troops during the Revolutionary War.

Today, the home serves as a historic house museum, and offers field trip programs for schoolchildren grades 3–8, and exhibits on the history of Philadelphia. The website offers a history of Cliveden, research information, a calendar of events, electronic educational resources, and visitor information.

Bennington Battlefield State Historic Site [NY]

Description

The Bennington Battlefield State Historic Site commemorates the Revolutionary War battle between the British and American forces which was fought over American storehouses in Bennington. The State Historic Site consists of the battlefield, which has been kept in much the same condition as it was in during the battle, and a small visitor center.

The State Historic Site offers guided tours of the battlefield, exhibits in the visitor information center, and periodic special events, which include lectures and reenactments. The website offers a brief history of the site, as well as visitor information and an events calendar.

Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site [NY]

Description

In 1776 56 loyalists signed the Declaration of Dependence at the Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site.

The Manor Hall currently serves both as a local and national history museum. Highlights of the Hall include the building itself, a collection of Presidential portraits, and exhibits on local history. The website offers a brief history of the site, visitor information, and information regarding upcoming events.