Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park [OH]

Description

The Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park celebrates the history and accomplishments of Wilber Wright (1867-1912), Orville Wright (1871-1948), and Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906). Other topics addressed include changes in Air Force aviation technology. Sights include two interpretive centers; the Wright brothers' printing office, styled to period; a Wright brothers' bicycle shop; the brothers' third airplane, built in 1905; the Huffman Prairie Flying Field; and Dunbar's final residence. The Wright brothers are best known for creating the world's first successful airplane, while Dunbar was an African American poet celebrated for his 1896 poem "Lyrics of a Lowly Life."

The park offers two introductory films; exhibits; period rooms; guided tours of the Wright Cycle Company building, Wright-Dunbar Village, and the Huffman Prairie Flying Field; guided bicycle tours; children's programs; curriculum-based educational programs; and Junior Ranger activities. Tours of the Wright Cycle Company building are available on request only, and reservations are required for groups. Reservations are required for all school programs. The website offers an interactive timeline.

Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site [NY]

Description

Eleanor Roosevelt chose Val-Kill for her retreat, her office, her home, and her "laboratory" for social change during the prominent and influential period of her life from 1924 until her death in 1962. During that time she formulated and carried out her social and political beliefs. This is the place most closely associated with one of the most prominent women of 20th-century America.

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

Fort Stanwix National Monument [NY]

Description

The Fort Stanwix National Monument presents the fort's Revolutionary War history and its impact on the history of New York settlement. Collections consist of more than 476,000 artifacts. Three trails circle the fort. One follows the Oneida Carrying Place, while the other two interpret the siege of 1777. During the seige, Colonel Peter Gansevoort maintained control of Stanwix despite the concentrated British, Loyalist, German, Canadian, and Native American troops which surrounded the structure, earning it the nickname of "the fort that never surrendered." This victory is one of several which eventually led to political alliances with The Netherlands and France. The fort is located on traditional Oneida lands. The Oneida Carrying Place is an over land route between Wood Creek and the Mohawk River.

The monument offers an orientation talk, three trails, exhibits, guided curriculum-based educational programs, self-guided fort tours, audio-visual displays, weapons demonstrations, guided tours, living history programs, an activity for three through six year olds, Junior Ranger activities, and an area for building model forts. Reservations are required for all guided programs. The website offers lesson plans, a 1777 campaign Revolutionary War map, a word match, a crossword puzzle, a word search, and suggested reading lists for students and teachers.

Boston National Historical Park [MA]

Description

The Boston National Historical Park interprets the pre- and early Revolutionary War history of the Boston area, as well as U.S. Navy history. Many of the sites at which rangers conduct programs are located along the Freedom Trail, which possesses a separate entry in this directory. Collections include more than 70,000 photographs and negatives, 13,000 architectural drawings, and shipyard records.

Between mid-April and November, the park offers 90-minute tours of the downtown portion of Boston's Freedom Trail. Lectures are offered at Faneuil Hall and the Bunker Hill Monument. Tours are offered of the World War II and Cold War destroyer, the USS Cassin Young. The park also offers a Freedom Trail slide show, exhibits, a 10 minute Naval Yard introductory video, Junior Ranger activities, 13 educational programs for students with pre-visit materials, and teacher workshops. The website offers a virtual tour of the USS Cassin Young, videos of Navy Yard structures which are not publicly accessible, suggested reading lists for students and teachers, and Web Ranger activities. The USS Cassin Young is not wheelchair accessible.

Alfred P. Sloan Museum [MI]

Description

The Alfred P. Sloan Museum of Flint Michigan presents local history, historic automobiles, and scientific principles. Historic topics are covered in the Hometown Gallery and Piersen Automotive Gallery. Collections include more than 125,000 artifacts including textiles, prehistoric objects, and more than 80 historic vehicles made in Flint.

The museum offers hands-on activities; exhibits; films; a vehicle conservation and restoration shop; archival access; arts and crafts workshops; group tours; group picture-puzzle scavenger hunts; more than 11 hands-on educational programs, ranging from autowork to the fur trade; a planetarium; and a lunchroom. Reservations are required for school groups. Separate reservations are required for use of the lunchroom by large groups.

Sedona Heritage Museum [AZ]

Description

The Sedona Heritage Museum is dedicated to preserving the history of Sedona, Arizona, from its founding in 1876 up to the present day. The museum is located in an old farmhouse, and serves as a museum of local history, with artifacts, documents, and pictures which document the history of the town.

The museum offers guided tours, exhibits, hands-on workshops for schoolchildren, and special events including periodic presentations. The website offers a history of Sedona, visitor information, and an events calendar.

William Whitley House State Historic Site [KY]

Description

The William Whitley House was one of the first brick houses built west of the Appalachian Mountains. Built in 1794, the house was frequented by many famous early Kentuckians, including George Rogers Clark and Daniel Boone. In addition, the house was the site of the first circular racetrack built in Kentucky. Now, the house has been restored to its condition in the 18th century, and features a gift shop in addition to the historical attractions.

The site offers visitor information, limited historical information, a photo gallery with seven photographs, and an events calendar.

Gum Springs Historical Society and Museum [VA]

Description

The Society's primary purpose is to authenticate the history of the Gum Springs Community by preserving its heritage, culture, artifacts, and traditions; to establish the Gum Springs Community as a historic landmark; to create and stimulate community awareness, appreciation, and involvement in the important activities of preserving culture, history, and tradition; and to establish a museum as a repository whereby the community may display artifacts that embody its cultural values and worldview. The Museum features a photographic exhibit of Gum Springs' residents and founding families. Many of these photos are close to 100 years old, and some are older.

The museum offers exhibits.