November 2010

For five decades after World War II, eight men, all veterans and residents of Raleigh County, harbored a dream of having a Veterans Museum located in Beckley, WV. Crews of men, all veterans of the various wars, from WWII through Desert Storm, donated labor to renovate the building. A new roof and carpeting were installed, display cases, office furniture and a state of the art computer system were donated. The grounds around the building were cleared and a large sign painted and placed over the door identifying this building as the "Raleigh County 'All Wars' Veterans Museum" in 2000.

The museum houses artifacts and memoribillia from the nation's military from World War II up to Operation Desert Storm. It traces the military's history from the Revolutionary War to the present.

The MHS Museum features changing exhibitions and programs spanning more than five centuries of Maine life.

By exploring the Visitor Center, which includes a 26 minute film, exhibit area and 1.5 mile battlefield trail, visitors can learn why the battle occurred, who the Overmountain men were and how the outcome of the battle changed the course of the Revolutionary War.

Visitors may choose a guided or self-guided tour to learn about Camden's early history, with focus on the Colonial and Revolutionary eras. The 107-acre outdoor museum complex includes the town site of 18th century Camden, the restored and furnished 1785 John Craven House, Cunningham House circa 1830 (tour office and gift shop), two early 19th century logs cabins with exhibits, partially restored 1795 McCaa House, reconstructions of some of the military fortifications, the reconstructed and furnished Joseph Kershaw mansion, headquarters for Lord Cornwallis, a blacksmith exhibit and a .6-mile Nature Trail. Those wishing to stretch their legs will enjoy the Old Camden Trace, a 3.5 mile walk through Historic Camden, the Nature Trail, the 1758 Quaker Cemetery and numerous other landmarks of early Camden. Historic Camden is an affiliated area of the National Park Service.

IJHS collects Jewish organizational papers, artifacts and photographs, artifacts from synagogues no longer in existence, such as Children of Israel, which was in Des Moines. Personal and Family Artifacts like photographs, books, personal papers are also collected. The society also keeps a record of Holocaust Memorabilia.

This was once an all-black town settled by former slaves fleeing the south in 1877 after the Reconstruction Period had ended. This living community is the only remaining all Black Town west of the Mississippi River that was settled in the 1800’s on the western plains by former slaves. Five historic buildings represent this community. The park offers a Visitor’s Center with a short film and other exhibits and walking tours of the town of Niocdemus.

Yellowstone National Park spans an area of 3,468 square miles (8,983 km²), comprising lakes, canyons, rivers and mountain ranges. Located in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, the park is home to a large variety of wildlife including grizzly bears, wolves, bison, and elk. Preserved within Yellowstone National Park are Old Faithful and a collection of the world's most extraordinary geysers and hot springs, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

Located in the heart of New Orleans French Quarter, the park's visitor center offers diverse opportunities to learn about the history and culture of New Orleans jazz. Ranger-led demonstrations, walks and talks, video documentaries and live music spill forth from the visitor center five days a week. Visitors are encouraged to stop and listen to the music.

Reverend Samuel Adair and his wife, Florella were peaceful abolitionists who came to Kansas and settled near Osawatomie, an abolitionist community and a center of conflict during “Bleeding Kansas.” The Adair cabin was a station on the Underground Railroad and Florella’s half brother, John Brown, used this cabin as his headquarters. The cabin survived the Battle of Osawatomie where John Brown and 30 free-state defenders fought 250 proslavery militia in 1856, and stands on the battle site today. Learn more about the Adairs, John Brown, and others who struggled to survive the border war when you visit the John Brown Museum.

This auto-trail stretches nearly 300 miles along New Jersey’s shore and bays. Travel through the Trail’s five regions and the nation’s oldest operating lighthouse; the town where revolutionaries burned British tea; and the state’s official tall ship. Visitors tend to explore New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route by region: Sandy Hook Region is the northern most and is approximately 40 miles long; Barnegat Bay Region is near the center of New Jersey's Atlantic seaboard and is about 45 miles long; Absecon Region includes Atlantic City and Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge and is 20 miles long; Cape May Region is approximately 40 miles long and includes lighthouses, bird refuges, and the historic town of Cape May; and, Delsea Region is the most remote with over 60 miles of wetlands, history, and migratory bird stop-over points.