Jefferson County Historical Society and Museum [New York]

Description

The Society operates a museum in the historic Paddock Mansion in downtown Watertown, New York. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, the mansion was formerly the home of local banker Edwin L. Paddock and his wife, Olive. The home was designed in the Eastlake tradition by architect John Hose, and combined Tuscan Villa elements "for him" and Swiss Chalet "for her." It was built between 1876 and 1878 by John Griffin. Mrs. Olive Paddock bequeathed the home to the Society in 1922, and it was opened as a museum in 1924. The museum contains both Paddock family and local history exhibits, spread throughout three floors and within three outbuildings.

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

Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site [SC]

Description

Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site presents the 1859 Greek Revival residence of Representative, Senator, and Governor James Henry Hammond (1807-1864). Hammond is perhaps best known for his words "Cotton is King!," describing the economy of the southern United States. The site includes Hammond's home, heirloom gardens, a lane of 145-year-old magnolia trees, the preserved slave quarters, and 369 acres of surrounding land.

The site offers house tours, lectures, and third- and eighth-grade programs in accordance with state educational standards.

Hanford Mills Museum [NY]

Description

The more than 70-acre Hanford Mills Museum presents the history of millwork and its cultural and technological influences on society. The site includes the 1843 Hanford Mill, as well as a woodworking shop, hardware shop, gristmill, feed mill, sawmill, and water wheel used to create electrical power. In total, 16 historic structures are located on site. The Hanford Mill is one of the last remaining mills from the 19th century.

The museum offers a 15-minute film; exhibits; tours; nature trails; children's summer apprentice workshops; and educational programs on the historic mill, the science of the mill, ice harvesting, community relationships, the process of creating a product from raw lumber, industrialization, and the harvesting and processing of grain. The website offers a glossary, descriptions of programs and corresponding state educational standards, historic photographs, and resource links, pre- and post-visit activities.

Somerset Place State Historic Site [NC]

Description

One of the upper South's largest antebellum plantations, Somerset Place was home from 1785–1865 to 850 enslaved people, three generations of owners, and around 50 white and two black employees. It once included more than 100,000 wooded, swampy acres bordering Lake Phelps, where such crops as rice were cultivated. Today, the 31-acre site offers a realistic view of 19th-century life on a large North Carolina plantation through seven original buildings and meshes the lifestyles of all of the plantation's residents in one concise chronological social history.

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

Bidwell House Museum [MA]

Description

Built in 1750, the Bidwell House served as a parsonage for the town's first minister, Reverend Adonijah Bidwell. The Museum contains artifacts from the daily life of its 18th and 19th century inhabitants.

The Museum offers educational programs for school groups of all ages.

Van Wickle House [NJ]

Description

The Van Wickle House was built in 1722 by the son of a wealthy Dutch carpenter. The home is a fabulous example of the Dutch architecture common to the New Jersey and New York area. Today, the home stands as a historic house museum, and is also frequently rented for community activities.

The home offers guided tours. The website offers a history of the home and visitor information.

Dorothy G. Page Museum and Historic Town Site [AK]

Description

The Dorothy G. Page Museum presents the history of the Wasilla, Knik, and Willow Creek areas, Alaska. Exhibit topics include mining; the Knik Trading Co.; the postal system; the Den'iana Athabascans, the local Native American population; and Joe Reddington Sr. and Dorothy G. Page, founders of the Iditarod. Eight historic structures display the 1917 beginnings of Wasilla.

The museum offers exhibits and tours. Reservations are required for tours.

History Center of Olmsted County and Mayowood Estate [MN]

Description

The History Center of Olmstead County presents the history of Olmstead County, Minnesota. To this end, the center operates as a museum. The museum includes rooms devoted to the decorative arts; a hands-on children's cabin; and exhibits on topics which include IBM, St. Mary's Hospital, the 1883 Rochester tornado, and historical medicine. Artifact collections include textiles, military, decorative arts, Native American, agricultural and mechanical, and medical items. The center also operates the Mayowood Estate historic house museum. Erected in 1911 as the home of Dr. Charles H. Mayo, cofounder of the Mayo Clinic, Mayowood now contains period rooms.

The museum offers exhibits, educational programs, hands-on activities, museum tours, traveling trunks, and library access. Reservations are required for tours. The center also organizes baseball games, played in 1860s style. The Mayowood Estate offers period rooms and guided tours. The website offers virtual exhibits.

Van Buren County Historical Society and Museums [IA]

Description

The Van Buren County Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Van Buren County, Iowa. To this end, the society operates 1845 Pearson House, a residence and Underground Railroad site, the second floor of which served as a Methodist Church; the 1847 Ellis School; the Keosauqua Log Cabin; the Selma Cabin; and the Historical Society Museum. The museum is housed in the circa 1875 Twombly Building, which previously served as a post office, bakery, grocery store, newspaper headquarters, and clothing store.

The society offers period rooms and exhibits.

Monmouth Battlefield State Park and Craig House [NJ]

Description

One of the largest battles of the American Revolution took place in the fields and forests that now make up Monmouth Battlefield State Park. The park preserves a splendid rural 18th-century landscape of hilly farmland and hedgerows that encompasses miles of hiking and horseback riding trails, picnic areas, a restored Revolutionary War farmhouse (the Craig House), and a visitors center. During the Battle of Monmouth, the Craig House was the home of John and Ann Craig and their three children and was used as a hospital by the British forces in June of 1778.

A second website for the park can be found here.

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