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.

Ryerss Museum and Library [PA]

Description

The Ryerss Museum and Library served as the home of Joseph Ryerss and his family during the second half of the 19th century. The Ryerss were great collectors of international art and the home today includes an Asian gallery, a European gallery, as well as many of the Ryerss' personal items and restored living rooms.

The Museum offers group tours free of charge and a library for student and teacher research.

The Snyder Estate [NY]

Description

The Century House, also known as the Snyder Estate, is the former home of Andrew Snyder, and was a small family farm until the discovery of natural cement in the region in 1825. The area experienced impressive industrial growth up to the 1970s, and was the United State's largest producer of cement during that time.

The estate offers guided tours of the Century House, Widow Jane Mine, and Cement Industry Museum. The estate also offers field trip programs, outreach programs, and special events. The website offers visitor information, a history of the estate, and information regarding upcoming events.

Almanzo Wilder Home

Description

The Almanzo Wilder Home is the birthplace and childhood farm home of Almanzo Wilder, husband of the famous children’s' author Laura Ingalls Wilder. Her book Farmer Boy is set at this site. The site is set during the years the Wilder family would have lived there, from 1857-1875.

The farm offers tours and the Wilder Farm School Tour Program, in which students tour the house, barn, and grounds. The tour assumes the students have read Farmer Boy and is geared towards an older elementary school level.

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.

The Historical Society of Idaho Springs [CO]

Description

The Historical Society of Idaho Springs is dedicated to preserving the historic heritage of Idaho Springs, Colorado, one of the first mountain communities west of Denver on I-70. The town is also well known for being where the gold rush of 1859 began. The society runs the Heritage Museum, a local history museum, the Underhill Museum, which is a historic house museum, and provides walking tours of the community.

The society also offers exhibits in both of its museums as well as guided tours and special events. The website offers detailed historical information regarding Idaho Springs, a historic photo gallery, and an events calendar. In order to contact the site via email, use the "contact us" link located on the left side of the webpage.

Gunston Hall Plantation [VA]

Description

Visit the home of George Mason, the author of the Virginia Bill of Rights (the basis of the Constitution's Bill of Rights). Completed in 1759, Gunston Hall is a fine example of Virginia's colonial architecture in the Georgian style. The mansion's grounds and gardens were surveyed and designed by Mason himself and are available for visiting today.

The site welcomes field trips and offers school tours based on Virginia SOLs and on-site programs for all grades. Outreach programs are also available if a visit is impossible. Teacher resources and curriculum guides are available for purchase in the museum shop. Teacher workshops and lectures are also featured as well as an on-site research library.

Flavel House Museum [OR]

Description

The Flavel House is located in Astoria, Oregon, and is one of the best preserved examples of Queen Anne architecture in the Northwest. The house was built in 1885 for Captain George Flavel and his family. Captain Flavel had made his fortune through real estate investments and his job as a river bar pilot. Today, the Flavel House serves as a historic house museum, and is furnished to accurately portray the elegance of the Victorian period and the history of the Flavel family.

The home offers guided tours. The website offers a detailed history of the home as well as visitor information.

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.