Fort William Henry Museum and Reconstruction [NY]

Description

The Fort William Henry Museum and Reconstruction presents the history of England's Fort William Henry in use along the southern edge of New York's Lake George between 1755 and 1757. Particular focus is given to warfare and weaponry.

The museum offers an introductory film, exhibits, tours led by costumed interpreters, group tours, student tours, student fort and Lake George history tours, Scout tours, ghost tours, musket and cannon firing, musket ball molding, Native American craft demonstrations, hands-on children's activities, and self-guided tours. Groups must consist of at least 15 people. Boxed lunches are available with advance notice. The website offers a scavenger hunt.

Colonial Williamsburg [VA]

Description

Colonial Williamsburg is the world's single largest living history museum. It consists of the reconstructed 18th-century British outpost of Williamsburg, VA. Through costumed interpreters and structures furnished to period, the museum shares the story of America and its people—Native American, African American, Caucasian, enslaved, indentured, and free—circa 1699 through 1780. The historic area includes political and residential sites, trade skill settings, a plantation, gardens, and animal breeds of circa 200 years ago. Museums on site include the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum.

The site offers exhibits, period rooms, living history interpreters, demonstrations, walking tours, dramatic performances, military exercises, fife and drum parades, ghost walks, mock witch trials, films, lectures, music programs, reenactments, a teacher institute in early American history, children's activities, curriculum-based tours for students, museum tours, conferences, forums, workshops, concession stands, and several dining locations with period-inspired food. The website offers audio tours, a virtual tour, virtual exhibits, information on historical structures and people, information on aspects of daily life, recipes, electronic field trips, lesson plans, teaching resources for purchase, slide shows, videos, audio clips, a daily vocabulary feature, podcasts, blogs, activities and games, and journal excerpts

Roth Living Farm Museum [PA]

Description

The Roth Living Farm Museum demonstrates farming as practiced between 1890 and 1910. Demonstrations include sheep shearing, milking, washing laundry, egg collecting, cheese making, butter churning, corn grinding, and planting. Animals on site include horses, chickens, sheep, goats, and cattle. The farm consists of an 1832 Georgian farmhouse, 19th-century barn, and 35 surrounding acres.

The museum offers traditional and interactive demonstrations, Scout programs, summer tours, and group tours and activities. Group tours and hands-on activities can be scheduled throughout the year.

North West Company Fur Post [MN]

Description

The North West Company Fur Post is a living history museum interpreting fur trading in the year 1804. That year, a trader from the North West Company erected a winter trading post on site. From there he conducted business with the Ojibwe before moving on again in late April. Topics addressed include Ojibwe culture, changes in Ojibwe culture which occurred after European contact, European barter systems, the fur trade and the global economy, trader life, women in the fur trade, communication between cultures, and archaeology. As the site is a reconstruction, it permits visitors a hands-on experience.

The post offers interactive exhibits, living history interpreters, period skill demonstrations, day camps, guided group tours, field trip programs, nature trails, interpretive signs, canoeing opportunities, and a picnic shelter. Field trips include a guided tour, an educational game, a fire making demonstration, and a craft activity. Canoes are not available on site. The website offers history articles.

1696 Thomas Massey House [PA]

Description

The 1696 Thomas Massey House was built by a Quaker who had come to America in 1683 as an indentured servant. After completing his servitude and prior to his death in 1707, Massey acquired 400 acres of land. Today, the home is furnished with 18th- and late 17th-century pieces.

The museum offers period rooms, tours, and group tours. Tours are available late April through October.

Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill [KY]

Description

The 3,000-acre Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill is the largest restored shaker community within the U.S. The site serves as both a nature park and outdoor living history museum. Interpretation topics include Shaker theology, farming techniques, and mid 19th-century life in Kentucky. Highlights include 14 original Shaker buildings, heritage animal breeds, and heirloom crops. The Shakers were a religious community who believed in racial, ethnic, and gender quality; and practiced celibacy. This Kentucky community was active between circa 1805 and the 1860s.

The site offers exhibits, self-guided tours, guided tours of the Centre Family Dwelling, craft demonstrations, costumed interpreters, talks, music performances, seasonal narrated riverboat rides, hands-on activities, naturalist programs, guided hikes, self-guided hikes, outdoor activities, restaurants, and a snack shop. Music performances, talks, and guided tours are available in April through October. Wheelchair access is limited.

Fort Walla Walla Museum [WA]

Description

The Fort Walla Walla Museum chronicles the early history of the town of Walla Walla, WA, and the Fort Walla Walla military site. The museum is comprised of four exhibit halls and 17 pioneer buildings. The museum also maintains the original military cemetery adjacent to the park's entrance.

The museum offers living history presentations, exhibits, guided tours, field trip programs, summer camps, and research resources. The website offers visitor information and a listing of upcoming events.

Chippokes Plantation State Park and Museum [VA]

Description

The 1,683-acre Chippokes Plantation State Park contains a working plantation site, founded circa 1619. The site's main residence is known as the Jones-Stewart Mansion. The plantation grounds house gardens and the Chippokes Farm and Forestry Museum, which presents circa 1850 Virginian farming life. Exhibits include farm building, soil preparation, planting, cultivating, harvesting, blacksmiths' tools, wheelwrights' tools, cobblers' tools, coopers' tools, farm animals, processing, preserving, small tools, and house ware. Many exhibits depict the evolution of tools used for a particular task. Collection highlights include a wooden tooth cultivator and a plow, designed to be pulled by oxen.

The park offers exhibits, mansion tours, an interpretive forestry trail, guided group museum tours, curriculum-based museum educational programs, recreational trails, outdoor activities, overnight facilities, a snack bar, and a picnic complex. Mansion tours and museum access are available April through October. Picnic shelters can be reserved. The snack bar operates Memorial Day through Labor Day. The museum can customize educational programs.

Historic Collinsville [TN]

Description

Historic Collinsville is a living history museum featuring several authentically restored log houses and outbuildings from the mid 1800s. The settlement is also home to a one-room schoolhouse, church, and a exhibit center which focuses on Collinsville-area wildlife and Native Americans.

The museum offers exhibits, guided tours, and field trip programs. The website offers visitor information regarding the museum.