Pierre Menard Home

Description

Pierre Menard (1766–1844), a successful French-Canadian businessman and fur trader, was presiding officer of the Illinois Territorial Legislature and from 1818 to 1822 served as the first lieutenant governor. His restored two-story ca. 1810 home is an example of French-Creole-style architecture, built into gently sloping land at the bottom of a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. The ground level contains a small museum and an audiovisual room. The second, or principal, floor represents living spaces used by the Menard family. Behind the home, accessed by a covered walkway, is a stone kitchen with a restored brick baking oven.

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

Pejepscot Historical Society and Museum [ME]

Description

The Pejepscot Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the historical heritage of the Pejepscot region of Maine, which consists of Brunswick, Topsham, and Harpswell Maine. The society was established in 1888, and maintains three museums, Pejepscot Museum, the Joshua Chamberlain Museum, and the Skolfield-Whittier House Museum, as well as a research collection.

The society offers guided tours of its three museums. The website offers a brief history of the society, a biography of Joshua Chamberlain, a virtual tour of the Skolfield-Whittier House, and visitor information regarding the society's museums.

Fulton Mansion State Historic Site [TX]

Description

George and Harriet Fulton began construction in 1874 on their spacious and extravagant home overlooking the Aransas Bay. Completed in 1877, the house featured ornate trim work and furnishings and the latest technological conveniences including modern plumbing, central heating, and a gas lighting system. Restored in the early 1980s, the architectural landmark is open for visitors.

The site offers tours.

Aspen Historical Society [CO]

Description

The Aspen Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the rich cultural and historical heritage of the Aspen Valley, from its original Indian inhabitants up through its modern-day status as one of the world's premier skiing destinations. The society operates seven historic sites, ranging from mining ghost towns to historic house museums.

The society offers guided tours of its museums and historic sites, research resources, field trip programs, a traveling trunk program, and special events. The website offers visitor information, access to the society's archives, lesson plans for teachers, a calendar of events, and detailed historical information about Aspen.

Bartholomew County Historical Society [IN]

Description

The Bartholomew County Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the historical heritage of Bartholomew County, IN. The society is headquartered in the McEwen-Samuels-Marr House, located in downtown Columbus, which also serves as a local history museum. The society also owns and operates the Historic Breeding Farm.

The society offers guided tours of its two historic properties and special events such as home tours. The website offers a photo gallery of history Bartholomew County, visitor information, a brief history of the society, and an events calendar.

Henry Whitfield State Museum

Description

In 1639, a group of Puritans led by their minister, Reverend Henry Whitfield, built the stone house in which this museum is housed. As well as serving as a home for the Whifield's, it was also a fort for the community. Its massive stone walls and chimneys, steeply-pitched roof, and casement windows reflect the style of post-medieval domestic architecture found in England—rare in 17th-century America and unique today. It is Connecticut's oldest house and New England's oldest stone house.

The museum offers exhibits, research library access, tours, and educational and recreational programs.

Hudson River Museum [NY]

Description

The Hudson River Museum presents the history and art of the Hudson River area, New York. The museum includes a Victorian-era home, Glenview, which is set to period; art exhibition space; a planetarium; and simulations of the environments along the Hudson River. Artists represented in the collection include Samuel Colman (1832-1920).

The museum offers one-hour Glenview tours for students, one-hour exhibit tours for students, one-hour environmental programs for students, one-hour planetarium shows for students, workshops which can be added to any of the aforementioned student programs, professional development programs, and exhibits.

Locust Grove: The Samuel Morse Historic Site [NY]

Description

The 180-acre Locust Grove is the estate of Samuel F.B. Morse (1791-1872), patent holder on the electromagnetic telegraph and creator of an early version of Morse code. The site contains an Italianate villa, housing a collection of European and American art and decorative arts. The grounds hold gardens. Exhibits include telegraph technology and paintings by Morse himself. Morse lived on the estate between 1847 and his death in 1872.

The site offers an introductory film, exhibits, period rooms, five curriculum-based educational programs, a summer day camp, guided tours of the villa, 100-minute group gardens and grounds tours, 2-hour group villa and gardens tours, and trails. Reservations are required for all group tours.

San Benito County Historical Society, Museum, and Historical Park [CA]

Description

The San Benito County Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of San Benito County, California. To this end, the society operates a museum within a 1909 Prairie Style home, originally built for pharmacist George Wapple. The society also operates a historical park which houses historic vehicles and a variety of historic buildings—three homes, a bar, a school, a print shop, a jail, and a barn.

The museum offers exhibits and tours. Arrangements must be made with the museum for all tours. The park offers exhibits and guided tours. Appointments are required for tours. The society also offers research library access the second Monday of every month.

Tannenbaum Historic Park [NC]

Description

The 7-acre Tannenbaum Historic Park preserves a portion of the farmstead of Joseph Hoskins, used to host British troops for the 1781 Battle of Guilford Courthouse. The site presents rural life prior to, during, and after the Revolutionary War via a heritage center, the 1813 Hoskins House, a restored 1830s barn, and a replica period blacksmith shop and kitchen.

The site offers period rooms and exhibits.