Members have the opportunity to share in many county and local historical programs and events.
The Chaska History Center has become a resource center for researching the history of Chaska and its people through exhibits, photographs, letters, diaries, maps, artifacts, documents and copies of the Chaska Herald newspaper. New programs include tours for student groups, a holiday house tour, and a digital cataloging system.
The five-acre site includes several large surviving mounds, an education center and a prairie demonstration plot. The State Historical Society of Iowa owns and preserves the Toolesboro Indian Mounds and Museum. The mounds are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated as a National Historic Landmark and State Preserve.
The Ella Sharp Museum of Art & History opened on October 3, 1965. Forty years later the museum is still meeting the challenge of bringing the visual arts and the area's history to visitors through exhibits, museum and outreach programs, and newer venues such as the worldwide web.
Harry S Truman National Historic Site opened to the public on May 15, 1984. In her will, Mrs. Truman donated the site to the United States. Today, the National Park Service preserves and interprets the home of President Truman. Completed in 1885 by Mrs. Truman's grandparents, the fourteen-room Victorian house provided a home to four generations of the family. When Mr. Truman became President, the house became the "Summer White House."
Benjamin Vaughan, the son of merchant-banker Samuel Vaughan, lived in this home from 1797 until his death in 1835. The Vaughan Homestead Foundation integrates various elements, such as the house and history, buildings, grounds, brook, woods, and river shoreline, into various kinds of programs and educational opportunities that benefit the residents and visitors of Hallowell and the Kennebec Valley of Maine.
George Washington Carver's favorite pastime was art. He painted landscapes and flowering plants. Students of all ages are invited to a Natural Dyes program at the park. Many activities offered at the park are related to George Washington Carver's work and interests. He had a "Secret Garden," a rock collection, and wood carvings. As early as his childhood on the farm George developed a deep respect for all nature including wildlife. Several nature programs are offered periodically at the park. Visitors can learn about ecosystems, animals, habitats, and behavior, and participate in wildlife viewing.
During the over 150 years that Old Capitol has served Iowa as a seat of government and education, it has become a symbol of pride and excellence for The University of Iowa, Iowa City and the state. When Old Capitol's cornerstone was laid on Independence Day in 1840, Iowa City became the first "permanent" capital of Iowa, where the last four Iowa territorial legislatures met. In Old Capitol, Iowa made the transition to statehood. Here, the first governor was inaugurated, the first six Iowa general assemblies met, and the state's constitution-still the fundamental law of the state-was drafted.
Kalaupapa National Historical Park was established on December 22, 1980. Now more than twenty-five years old, the park is dedicated to preserving the memories and experiences of the past so valuable lessons may be learned. The park's mission is to provide a well-maintained community ensuring the present patient residents of the Kalaupapa Settlement may live out their lives there. The park also supports the education of present and future generations concerning Hansen's disease or leprosy, a disease shrouded in fear and ignorance for centuries.
Access to the park is very restricted. Persons wishing to access the park must prearrange their visit with the Hawaii Department of Health at (808) 567-6924 or contact Damien tours at (808) 567-6171. Access to the park will be denied to anyone that has not made prior arrangements and obtained necessary authorization.
In addition to the fiber-optic display, Bentonville's remaining exhibits have received a major upgrade with an all-new layout—featuring new artifacts, new portraits of soldiers and commanders from both sides involved in the action, contemporary battle scenes, maps covering the second and third days of the battle, a campaign theater map, complete orders of battle for both sides, and an exhibit on the Harper House (Federal XIV Corps field hospital).
Rague’s architectural style is a fine example of Egyptian Revival architecture, fittingly built on the banks of the “Nile River” of America.
Total cost of Jail and Grounds were $45,000
The Dubuque County Jail is considered the most significant building in Iowa because of its rarity. Less then 50 Egyptian Revival structures were ever built in the United States, and the County Jail is one of only three remaining.