Fort Boonesborough State Park [KY]

Description

Fort Boonesborough was originally built in 1775 by Daniel Boone and his men to serve as a frontier outpost along the Kentucky River. Today, the fort has been completely reconstructed and functions as a living history museum, giving modern-day visitors a sense of what life was like for pioneers in Kentucky. In addition to the reconstructed fort, the park contains the Kentucky River Museum, which provides visitors with "insight into the lives of families who lived on the river and worked the locks and dams in the 1900s."

The park offers exhibits, tours for school groups, living history demonstrations, special school days throughout the year, and other educational and recreational events. The website offers visitor information, a photo gallery featuring 13 photographs of the park, and an events calendar.

William Whitley House State Historic Site [KY]

Description

The William Whitley House was one of the first brick houses built west of the Appalachian Mountains. Built in 1794, the house was frequented by many famous early Kentuckians, including George Rogers Clark and Daniel Boone. In addition, the house was the site of the first circular racetrack built in Kentucky. Now, the house has been restored to its condition in the 18th century, and features a gift shop in addition to the historical attractions.

The site offers visitor information, limited historical information, a photo gallery with seven photographs, and an events calendar.

Caesar's Creek Pioneer Village [OH]

Description

Caesar's Creek Pioneer Village is a living history museum, which consists of several restored log cabins. Topics covered include the Civil War and pioneer life.

The museum offers educational programs. Note that the museum is closed outside of special event hours. Check the event calender for school programs. Registration is required for participation.

Historical Society and Museum of Ocean Grove and Centennial Cottage

Description

The Society's Museum has a collection of approximately 15,000 artifacts and pieces relative to the history of Ocean Grove, the Holiness Movement, camp meetings, Methodism, Monmouth County, and 19th-century life. The Museum is dedicated to preserving the history of Ocean Grove, recording the history of camp meetings, and to recording aspects of the Victorian Age. The 1879 Centennial Cottage serves as the Society's living history museum. Visitors to the cottage gain an understanding of life in a 19th-century camp meeting and seaside resort community.

The society offers tours, lectures, and research library access; the museum and cottage offer exhibits, tours, and occasional recreational and educational events.

Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial [IN]

Description

The Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial consists of a visitor's center; the Lincoln Living History Farm; and the burial site of Nancy Hanks Lincoln (1784-1818), President Abraham Lincoln's mother, killed by milk sickness. The farm depicts 1820s pioneer life via costumed interpreters, farm animals, crops, herb gardens, and a reconstruction cabin. The farm is not original, but is based on facts known about Lincoln's childhood home and about life typical of the period. Demonstrations include arts, crafts, animal husbandry, farming, and gardening. Lincoln (1809-1865) lived in Indiana between 1816 and 1830, prior to moving to Illinois.

The site offers a 15-minute introductory film, exhibits, living history interpreters, trails, a traveling trunk, and Junior Ranger activities. The website offers audio files about several of Lincoln's family members, a teacher's guide, a lesson plan.

Geauga County Historical Society [OH]

Description

The Geauga County Historical Society is dedicated to the preservation of the historical heritage Geauga County. The Society's primary project in order to aid in the preservation of history is the Century Village Museum, which is a large living history site featuring 23 historic structures.

The society offers guided and self-guided tours of the Century Village Museum, educational tours of the village, special exhibitions, a research library, and a summer program. The website offers visitor information, a brief history of the society and village museum, and an events calendar.

Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site [TX]

Description

The 293-acre Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site is located on the site of the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence. The park is home to a reconstructed Independence Hall; the Star of the Republic Museum, which covers the history of the Republic of Texas (1836-1846); and Barrington Living History Farm, home of Dr. Anson Jones, the last President of the Republic of Texas. Numerous walking trails and a picnic area are also available in the park.

The visitor center offers interactive exhibits, snack food for purchase, and a gift shop. Daily guided tours of Independence Hall are offered as are scheduled group tours. Barrington Living History Farm offers tours of the Anson Jones home focusing on the politics, economics, and daily life of 1850s Texas. The Star of the Republic Museum offers exhibits, audiovisual presentations, educational programs, and houses an extensive research library. Age appropriate school tours are available at all three sites and align with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). An educator's packet for Barrington Living History Farm is available online as is www.txindependence.org , a new website created for 4th & 7th grade Texas history students.

Colonial National Historical Park [VA]

Description

The Colonial National Historical Park commemorates English Colonial and Revolutionary War–era America, beginning on the swampy marshes of Jamestown in 1607 and ended on the battle–scarred landscape of Yorktown in 1781. Although the primary draw is colonial history, the park spans the timelines from pre-colonization through Colonial Virginia, from the end of English Colonial America through the American Revolutionary War, and from America’s Independence to the Civil War.

The park offers introductory films; exhibits; guided tours; self-guided tours; tours by costumed interpreters; Junior Ranger activities; seasonal hands–on activities; seasonal costumed interpreters for specific educational programming; pot making in the "pinch pot" style of the local Native Americans; non–firing artillery and glass–blowing demonstrations; a Revolutionary War themed traveling trunk; and ranger-guided educational programming specifically for students, designed to meet state educational standards. The website provides lesson plans relevant to historic Jamestown and Yorktown.

Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site [NY]

Description

Theodore Roosevelt was born in a New York City Brownstone. The Historic Site consists of a reconstructed building that has been fully furnished to showcase the life of the Roosevelts during the gilded age and Theodore Roosevelt's birth. The building contains five period rooms and two museum galleries which contain a wealth of Roosevelt memorabilia, including family photographs, political cartoons and his Rough Rider uniform.

The historic site offers guided tours, historical interpreters, and a Theodore Roosevelt re-enactor. The website offers teaching resources including curriculum guides and field trip planning information.