Old Bourne Village [MA]

Description

Old Bourne Village is the historic heart of Bourne, Massachusetts, and consists of well over 20 historic structures, several of which are on the National Register of Historic Places. The village has several structures which are open to visitors year round, including a Blacksmith's shop and the Briggs-McDermott house. The village is operated by the Bourne Historical Society.

The village offers periodic guided tours, as well as self-guided tours year round. The website offers a brief history of all of the village's historic structures, as well as an events calendar for the Bourne Historical Society and basic visitor information.

Murfreesboro Historical Association [NC]

Description

The Murfreesboro Historical Association is dedicated to preserving the historical heritage of Murfreesboro, North Carolina. The society in particular works to aid in the preservation of Murfreesboro's historic district, which contains 12 museums, including the society's Brady C. Jefcoat museum, which serves as a local history museum.

The association offers guided tours of Murfreesboro museums, walking tours of the town, periodic town festivals, and exhibits. The website offers a brief history of Murfreesboro, visitor information, and an events calendar.

Philip Foster Farm [OR]

Description

The Philip Foster Farm was one of the first settlements in Oregon in the 1840's and served as a part of the Oregon Trail, the "last leg" for many westward travelers. The farm is an excellent example of 19th century agricultural life in Oregon. The site includes the farmhouse, a log cabin, an 1860's barn, gardens, etc.

The site offers on-site school tours for grades K-8 (Pioneer Life or Winter Traditions) as well as homeschoolers tours. Educational programs and educational outreach options are also available.

This is the Place Heritage Park [UT]

Description

Visitors can journey back in time at Old Deseret Village, a collection of more than 40 historic homes and buildings brought to life by historical interpreters. This is the Place Monument, located in the park, marks the end of the 1,300-mile Mormon trail.

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

Astors' Beechwood Mansion [RI]

Description

This Italianate house was built in 1857 to the designs of Alexander Jackson Downing and Calvert Vaux. Purchased by the Astor family in 1881, the house was the social center for New York society during the Gilded Age. The Beechwood Theatre Company portrays Mrs. Astor's family, friends, and domestic staff at the height of the Victorian Era at the mansion. They welcome visitors to the mansion, offering a spirited interpretation of Victorian society not found elsewhere.

The site offers tours, living history performances, and educational and recreational events (including living history events).

Mission San Luis [FL]

Description

The Mission San Luis recreates life at the time of Spanish settlement. The site depicts the ways of life of 17th-century Spanish settlers and the Apalachee people. Sights include the visitor's center, Apalachee council house, the Spanish Deputy Governor's home, and a Franciscan church and friary. Costumed living history interpreters show how the people interacted with each other, their material cultures, and the land.

The mission offers an introductory film, audio tours, exhibits, demonstrations, costumed living history interpreters, one- through three-hour interactive curriculum-based school tours, four curriculum-based school outreach programs, day camps, and workshops for adults. The film is captioned, audio tours are t-coil compatible, and arrangements can be made for a descriptive orientation for visually impaired visitors. Publications are available in Braille, and one exhibit was designed with the assistance of the Florida Division of Blind Services. Wheelchairs are available on request. The website offers pre- and post-visit lessons, vocabulary, and a teacher's guide

Aycock Birthplace [NC]

Description

Charles B. Aycock was born into a simple, rural home in 1859. In 1900 he was elected governor of North Carolina and dedicated his life to improving public education in the state. An 1893 one-room schoolhouse, moved to the site of his birthplace, underscores Aycock's commitment to education. This typical 19th-century family farm includes the main house, separate open-hearth kitchen, corn crib, and smokehouses.

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

Washburn-Norlands Living History Center [ME]

Description

The Washburn-Norlands Living History Center depicts 18th- and 19th-century rural life in the state of Maine. Norlands was originally the Washburn family home. This family included a Senator, Secretary of State, congressmen, governors, and founders of the Washburn-Crosby Gold Medal Flour Company. Structures include a one-room schoolhouse, mansion, meeting house, and library.

The site offers living history interpreters, period rooms, guided building tours, self-guided grounds tours, curriculum-based interactive programs for students, outreach programs for schools, hands-on activities, overnight programs, and picnic tables.

Belle of Louisville [KY]

Description

The Belle of Louisville site operates two vessels—the 1914 steamboat Belle of Louisville and the 1963 riverboat Spirit of Jefferson. Over the course of her history, the Belle of Louisville has served as a passenger ferry, excursion vessel, and World War II oil barge mover and troop nightclub. She is the oldest operating river steamboat. The Spirit of Jefferson has always been an excursion vessel.

The site offers cruises, curriculum-based sight-seeing excursions for students, and outreach programs for students. Field trips are available during the month of May, and are designed for kindergarten through eighth grade.

Allamuchy Mountain State Park and Waterloo Village [NJ]

Description

Waterloo Village takes the visitor through time from a 400-year old Lenape (Delaware) Indian village to a bustling port along the once prosperous Morris Canal. This early 19th-century restored village contains a working mill complex with gristmills and sawmills, a general store, blacksmith shop, and several historic houses.

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