Salmon Brook Historical Society and Museums [CT]

Description

The Salmon Brook Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Granby, Connecticut. To this end, the society operates four museum buildings. The circa 1732 Abijah Rowe House has been restored to an early 1800s interior appearance. It also houses a collection of Victorian toys. The circa 1790 Weed-Enders House houses the society research library and a Victorian parlor. The circa 1870 Cooley School House has been furnished and styled to a 19th-century appearance. The circa 1914 Colton-Hayes Tobacco Barn offers a recreated Shaker meeting house; town microcosm; and exhibits on vernacular items, Native American artifacts, and the Civil War.

The society offers exhibits, period rooms, and library access. The museum buildings are open between June and September. Reservations are required for groups.

Polk County Historical Society and Museum [GA]

Description

The Society is headquartered in a building designed by noted Georgia architect Neel Reid. Erected in 1921, it was originally the Hawkes Children's Library. In 1980 the building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, the first structure in Polk County to receive this honor. The Society also operates a museum in the building. Of special interest is the Palladian window, a Neel Reid hallmark. Each year the collection of photographs, newspapers, documents, and artifacts on display has grown.

The museum offers exhibits.

Old State House Museum [AR]

Description

The Old State House Museum, housed within the 1842 Greek Revival former state capitol building, presents the history of the state of Arkansas and its residents. The structure served as the state capitol until 1911; both a Confederate and Union capitol; a medical school and research site; and a popular campaign site of Bill Clinton (born 1946), 42nd President of the United States. Period rooms include a 1901 through 1906 parlor, 1870 through 1900 parlor, a 1750 through 1800 library, an 1860 through 1870 Rococo Revival parlor, an 1836 through 1860 library, and 1836 through 1885 House of Representatives chamber. Permanent exhibits address 19th- and 20th-century women's lives, the building's construction, Bill Clinton, hands-on 1930s artifacts, early 19th-century life, Arkansas governors and their families, and 1819 through 1919 Arkansas political history.

The museum offers exhibits, period rooms, hourly guided tours, self-guided tours, eight thematic tours for students, outreach programs for students and adults, educational programs for students or adults, living history characters, a summer camp, teacher's workshops, and traveling trunks. Groups of 12 or more must make reservations for guided tours. Living history characters can be scheduled into tours with advance notice. The website offers virtual exhibits, lesson plans, activities, games, and crosswords.

American Sign Museum [OH]

Description

The American Sign Museum presents the history of the United States sign industry and the impacts thereof. Collections include more than 3,000 artifacts—signs, sign making tools, sketches, models, and other items. Signs range from classic gilt lettered pieces to neon and novelty signs.

The museum offers exhibits and guided tours. Admission can be scheduled outside of the museum's normal hours of operation. Please call ahead to ascertain that the museum will be open on the day you wish to visit.

Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism and Museums

Description

The Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism promotes the arts, film, historic preservation, museums, and tourism in Connecticut. The commission operates four museums—the Henry Whitfield State Museum, the Prudence Crandall Museum, the New-Gate Prison and Copper Mine, and the Sloane-Stanley Museum. The Henry Whitfield State Museum, Prudence Crandall Museum, and New-Gate Prison and Copper Mine are listed separately in this database. The Sloan-Stanley Museum presents U.S. craftsmanship heritage and the local iron industry. Displays include hand tools, the studio of artist Eric Sloane (1905-1985), a replica circa 1800 cabin, and the remains of a granite blast furnace located on site.

The Sloane-Stanley Museum offers exhibits.

Old Island Restoration Foundation and the Oldest House [FL]

Description

The Old Island Restoration Foundation is primarily concerned with architectural preservation within Key West, Florida. However, the organization also operates the 1829 Oldest House museum. The residence was once home to a customs inspector, lightship captain, and wrecker. Wreckers were men who would race to shipwrecks in order to save the crews and to collect a portion of the cargo as their own. The museum holds furnishings, maritime artifacts, wrecker artifacts, ship models, and items once lost at sea. The structure itself is the oldest in South Florida, hence the name.

The museum offers exhibits and gardens.

Underground Gold Miners Museum [CA]

Description

The Underground Gold Miners Museum presents the history of Alleghany, California and its mining district; the Sixteen to One Mine; and area geology. Areas of focus include underground hardrock mining technology and equipment, as well as the lives of California's underground gold miners. The Sixteen to One Mine remained an active gold mine between circa 1896 and 1965.

The museum offers exhibits, and is open for special events and by appointment only.

Fort Delaware Society and Museum [DE]

Description

The Fort Delaware Society operates the Fort Delaware Museum, Sutler Shop, and W. Emerson Wilson Research Library. Fort Delaware protected the Delaware River area between the War of 1812 and World War II. It is best known for its stint as a Civil War prison.

The society offers exhibits and archive and reading library access. The archives and library are open to the public between October and April.

Marathon County Historical Society and Yawkey House Museum [WI]

Description

The Marathon County Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Wisconsin—with particular emphasis on Marathon County. To this end, the society operates a local history exhibit area, research library, and the Yawkey House Museum. The Yawkey House is a 1901 Classical Revival residence now furnished in the style of 1915.

The society offers exhibits, 30-minute exhibit and museum guided tours, outreach presentations and slide shows, research library access, research assistance, relevant videos for rental, a junior historical society, and genealogy classes. Payment of a fee is required for research assistance. Reservations are required for museum group tours. The website offers historical photographs and biographies of past county residents.