Belcourt Castle [RI]

Description

Unique among the mansions of Newport, "Belcourt," a Louis-XIII-style hunting lodge, was designed by Richard Morris Hunt, "the Dean of American architects." The 60-room summer cottage cost 3 million dollars, employing 300 skilled European craftsmen between 1891 and 1894. Today, celebrating 50 years in the Tinney Family, Belcourt Castle is home to an extensive collection of art and antiques from over 30 countries spanning diverse cultures and centuries. The collection includes 13th-century European stained glass, 10th- to 20th-century furniture from around the world, 17th- to 20th-century paintings, Renaissance armor, and a gold coronation coach.

The site offers tours.

Dana-Thomas House

Description

The Dana-Thomas House, perhaps the best-preserved example of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright's "Prairie period" dwellings, was built for feminist socialite and heiress Susan Lawrence Dana (1862–1946). Constructed between 1902 and 1904, the house has been restored to appear as it might have been furnished shortly after being built. In 1974 the structure was entered on the National Register of Historic Places and in 1976 was designated a National Historic Landmark. One-hour guided tours begin at the carriage house visitor center, which contains a small exhibit area, an auditorium, and the Sumac Shop. Tours open with a 10-minute orientation video that provides background information on Frank Lloyd Wright, Susan Lawrence Dana, and construction of the Dana-Thomas House. Visitors see a stunning collection of elegant art glass, Arts and Crafts style furniture, dramatic lamps, and ceramics. Several items owned by Susan Lawrence Dana and her family are on display.

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

Sterne-Hoya House Museum and Library [TX]

Description

The Sterne-Hoya Museum and Library is located in the historic Adolphus Sterne home. The home now serves as a historic house museum, but also offers exhibits on local history, with a special interest in the Sterne and von der Hoya families. The home is furnished with period antiques and is located on the National Register of Historic Places.

The museum offers guided tours and exhibits on the history of rural, eastern Texas. The website offers visitor information.

Thomas Jefferson Foundation [VA]

Description

The Thomas Jefferson Foundation is dedicated to the preservation of Thomas Jefferson's home, Monticello. The foundation puts on a variety of events in the mansion, and also holds an extensive collection of materials available for researchers.

The home offers guided tours, field trip plans, traveling exhibits, summer camps, and resource packets for teachers. The website offers a brief history of the home, visitor information, and a calendar of events. In order to contact the website via email, use the "contact us" link located at the top of the webpage.

Historic Mobile Preservation Society [AL]

Description

The Historic Mobile Preservation Society was founded in 1935 in order to help preserve the history of Mobile, Alabama. The society's main attraction is the Oakleigh Historic Complex, which consists of a historic house museum, local history museum, and historic archives. The Oakleigh home is fitted with 19th century antique furniture, and is open to visitors year round. The society also owns the Cox-Deasy House, which is also operated as a historic house museum.

The society offers guided tours, research resources, and special events. The website offers a history of the Oakleigh home, resources for fourth grade teachers, and visitor information.

Litchfield Historical Society [CT]

Description

The Litchfield Historical Society offers three sites to explore: the History Museum, the Tapping Reeve House and Law School, and the Ingraham Library. The Museum displays artifacts from daily life of Litchfield County dating back to its earliest settlers. The Reeve House and Law School shows students what an authentic 19th century school house would have been like.

The site offers school groups education programs that cater to grades 3-12 and addition hands-on learning programs. Travelling trunk are available for rental to enhance a visit.

Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park [AZ]

Description

The Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park is located in the Tombstone, the seat of Cochise County. Built in 1882, the structure was designed in the Victorian style and once house the offices of the sheriff, recorder, treasurer, and board of supervisors, as well as the jail and courtrooms of Cochise County. Today, the structure serves as a museum of law enforcement in the wild west.

The courthouse offers guided tours and exhibits on law in the wild west and local history. The website offers visitor information, a calendar of events, and a history of the structure and of Tombstone.

Centre County Historical Society [PA]

Description

The Centre County Historical Society is the one of the oldest and largest of the country's historical organizations. The society is headquartered in the Centre Furnace Mansion, a former ironmaster's home that is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is open as a historic house museum. In addition to the mansion, the society owns the Boogersburg School, a one-room schoolhouse that holds educational programs year round.

The society offers guided tours of the mansion and school, field trip programs, educational programs in the Boogersburg School, and a historical archives and library. The website offers visitor information, histories of the mansion, school, and society, information regarding all programs offered by the society, and an events calendar.

Connecticut Landmarks [CT]

Description

Connecticut Landmarks was founded in 1936 as the Antiquarian & Landmarks Society. Today, Connecticut Landmarks owns and operates a statewide network of 12 historic house museums, which cover three centuries of New England history. Each museum takes visitors through a specific period in history and also provides exhibits on local history.

Connecticut Landmarks offers tours of its 12 historic properties, as well as educational programs and special events. The website offers visitor information, brief histories of all properties, information regarding educational programs for children and adults, as well as an events calendar.