Douglas County Historical Society, Museum, and Country School [SD]

Description

The society's museum includes three buildings. The central building is located on the grounds of the Douglas County Courthouse in Armour and originally housed the offices of auditor and register of deeds in 1902. This building was placed on the National Register of Historic Sites in 1976; and exhibits museum collections including clothing, household items, farm tools, office equipment, American Indian artifacts, military items, photographs, and other memorabilia unique to the Douglas County area. In 1981, the Society moved an 1884 country school to county property just east of the museum. It still contains some of its original furnishings along with other school items. Each spring, all second graders in Douglas County are invited to attend "School Days" in the Country School. The third building, known as the "Railroad House," was added in 1988 and is furnished and decorated in the period of the early 1900s. Furnishings include items that were already owned by the museum, as well as items donated and loaned to complete decoration.

The museums offer exhibits and tours.

East Lyme Historical Society and Museums [CT]

Description

The East Lyme Historical Society operates the circa 1805 Little Boston Schoolhouse and circa 1660 Thomas Lee House. The latter is listed separately within this database. The schoolhouse remained in use through 1922, and has now been restored to its early 20th-century appearance. A barn with historical exhibits is located nearby.

The society offers a colonial day for fourth grade students, lectures, period rooms, exhibits, and picnic tables. The sites are open June through Labor Day, although tours may be arranged for other times of the year.

Washington County Historical Society and Museum [MD]

Description

The Washington County Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Washington County, MD. To this end, the society operates a museum within the Miller House, a late Federal townhouse dating to between 1818 and 1823, and the 1904 two-room Beaver Creek School. Exhibits in the Miller House include period rooms set to 1850s through 1870s appearances, clocks, dolls, Shenandoah Valley pottery, the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Civil War, and the C and O Canal. The house grounds also include a library and gardens. The Beaver Creek School contains period school, workshop, parlor, and cobbler shop settings; vintage toys; costumes and uniforms; an 1840s hand crank organ; and other artifacts.

The society offers exhibits, period rooms, a garden, and research library access.

Haggin Museum [CA]

Description

The Haggin Museum displays paintings by major artists and presents the history of the San Joaquin Valley, California. Artworks within the collection are both European and American in origin, and date from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Artists include Jean Béraud, Rosa Bonheur, William Bouguereau, Jean-Léon Gérôme, George Inness, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Albert Bierstadt.

The museum offers exhibits and summer art workshops.

Heritage Museum [OR]

Description

The Heritage Museum presents the history of Polk County and Independence, Oregon.

The museum offers exhibits, treasure hunts, tours, traveling exhibits, virtual exhibits, and a collections research kiosk for rental. Reservations are required for tours with five or more individuals. The museum is not currently wheelchair accessible.

North Lake Tahoe Historical Society and Museums [CA]

Description

The North Lake Tahoe Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of the Lake Tahoe area, California. To this end, the society operates the Gatekeeper's Museum, Marion Steinbach Indian Basket Museum, and 1909 Watson Cabin. The Gatekeeper's Museums functions as a museum of local history. Highlights include historic court ledgers and oral histories. The Marion Steinbach Indian Basket Museum presents baskets, costumes, dolls, pottery and other artifacts from 85 Native American tribes. The Watson Cabin is a living history museum of local pioneer life.

The society offers exhibits, period rooms, and living history demonstrations. Please call ahead if severe weather is forecasted, as the museums may not be open.

Ashland Historical Society Museum [WI]

Description

The Ashland Historical Society Museum presents a glimpse into the past of Ashland, WI. Exhibits on display address the Ashland Hotel, Boy and Girl Scouts, souvenir dishes, gas stations, historical and modern images of Downtown, Oredocks, and local schools.

The museum offers exhibits, archive access, and research services. A fee is charged for research conducted upon request. Individuals conducting private research must match their personal research time with research for the society. The website offers short articles on a variety of local history aspects and historical photographs.

Old Firehouse Museum [MA]

Description

The Old Firehouse Museum presents the history of South Hadley, Connecticut; local industries; and local firefighting between 1899 and 1973, the years in which the firehouse was in active use by the area fire department. Permanent exhibits include an 1890s period room and a firefighting display. Collection highlights include a 1926 Dodge Fire Engine and two 19th-century hand pumpers.

The museum offers a period room and exhibits. The website offers oral histories.

Island County Historic Society and Museum [WA]

Description

The Island County Historic Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Island County, Washington from the Ice Age through the mid-20th century. Topics given particular emphasis include maritime history, Pacific Northwest Native American cultures, military history, and the settlers of 1853. Collections and archives number more than 19,000 items. The society operates a museum of local history, located on the former site of the 1870 Mother Fay’s Hotel.

The society offers exhibits, one-hour to 90-minute guided tours for students, library access, and research assistance. Research assistance requires payment of a fee. Two weeks advance notice is required for all visits by more than five individuals. Some student tours include pre-visit curriculum materials.