November 2010

This little known site of arduous WWII battles is located on a rich and remote archipelago stretching from Alaska to Siberia. 

Perched on Mount Ballyhoo in Dutch Harbor, Alaska, the concrete remains of the Aleutian World War II National Historic Area speak silently of a time of war. This magical place was the stage for two American tragedies: here, servicemen fought both the Japanese and the extreme weather, as hundreds of native Unangan people were interned a thousand miles away, longing to return to their island homes. 

In 1996, Congress designated the site a national historic area, commemorating the defense of Dutch Harbor during World War II and Aleutian contributions to the American war effort. The Aleuts helped defend against a year-long Japanese campaign against the western Aleutian islands. 

Located on the campus of Scott High School in Huntsville Tennessee, the Museum of Scott County is a 3,000 square foot log cabin. The museum was student built, is student ran, and is student maintained. The students have worked hard to collect artifacts of Scott County and bring real life animation to past historical events.

The original Franciscan mission, Nuestra Señora de la Concepción del Socorro, was founded in 1682 by the Franciscan order, to serve displaced American Indians (the Piro, Tano and Jemez) from New Mexico, who fled during the Pueblo Revolt.

The Socorro Mission, constructed of adobe surfaced with stucco, is particularly notable for its interior. The finely painted and decorated beams, or vigas, are from the 18th-century mission and were reused when the present church was constructed. The massing, details and use of decorative elements of the Socorro Mission show strong relationships to the building traditions of 17th-century Spanish New Mexico.

The church was partially destroyed during a disastrous fire in 1907, but was reconstructed with the addition of a three-story tower incorporating Mission Revival decorations.

A society dedicated to collecting, preserving, interpreting, and making accessible materials representing Lancaster County history.

The society manages a libray with extensive genealogical records and archives as well as a museum with permanent and temporary exhibitions detailing the changing face of Lancaster County over 200 years. The collections of the Lancaster County Historical Society provide rich resources relating to the history of Lancaster County and the families who lived here.

A significant collection of books on Lancaster County history and its communities as well as hundreds of thousands of primary source materials from the founding of the county in 1729 are located within the society's archives. Collecting and interpreting history has always been at the center of the Lancaster County Historical Society's mission. With the help of many dedicated volunteers, the society has produced many exhibits, encampments and educational programs. The Lancaster County Historical Society continues to bring history alive to those who seek a deeper understanding of Lancaster County and its place in the world.

The Detroit Historical Museum, established in 1928, is one of America’s oldest and largest museums dedicated to metropolitan history. The leaders of the Detroit Historical Society founded the Detroit Historical Museum and for the next 20 years the society operated the museum and preserved the region’s rich history through the collection and conservation of artifacts. In 1945, the society transferred ownership of the museum and the collections to the city of Detroit, and the society focused on fundraising and marketing activities for the Detroit Historical Museum and, later, the Dossin Great Lakes Museum.

The Hermitage mansion has been meticulously restored to its 1837 appearance and today looks much as it did when Andrew Jackson returned to it after finishing his second term as President. After the home was damaged by fire in 1834, Jackson had it remodeled in the Greek Revival style. Today, six wallpapers installed after the fire still hang on the walls and the majority of the furniture in the home was purchased by the Jackson family to replace pieces damaged in the fire.

Personal objects, like Jackson’s swords and books, also adorn the home along with the Jackson family’s collection of portraits. When you arrive at the Hermitage mansion costumed historical interpreters greet you and prepare you for your tour. Inside historical interpreters stationed throughout the house tell you about Jackson, his family, and his home and answer any questions you have. On average, the Hermitage mansion tour lasts twenty minutes.

The history of Alcatraz is surprising to those that only know the Hollywood version. Civil War fortress, infamous federal prison, bird sanctuary, first lighthouse on the West Coast, and the birthplace of the American Indian Red Power movement are a few of the stories of the Rock.

The museum is housed in the recently restored Texas and Pacific Railway Depot (built in 1912). A short handicapped accessible tunnel under two sets of tracks, leads to the AMTRAK waiting room and entrance to the museum. The surrounding grounds are attractively landscaped and feature an old Union Pacific Railroad caboose.

The museum is dedicated to the memory of thousands of former Texas and Pacific Railway employees and the important role they played in the economic development of Marshall and the State of Texas. It is replete with photos and artifacts dating from the 1870's. Exhibits include a replica of an old railroad agent's office complete with an old typewriter, electric fan and a working telegraph key. There is a 1920's era panoramic photo of the entire commercial and industrial area featuring the vast Texas and Pacific Railway shops. Another display includes working model trains that wend through models of historic Marshall buildings. The story of the T & P hospital, located in Marshall and serving the entire system, is told.

Explore the decks of this floating National Historic Landmark. Walk Elissa's decks and imagine the days when daring sailors challenged the world's oceans. In the adjacent museum and theater, witness the story of Elissa's dramatic rescue from the scrapyard and her meticulous restoration.

Located in the historic port of Galveston, the Texas Seaport Museum also tells the story of a rich legacy of seaborne commerce and immigration. Look for ancestors with a one-of-a-kind computer database containing the names of more than 133,000 immigrants who entered the United States through Galveston,"'The Ellis Island of the West"'. Join the Museum's staff and volunteers as they bring the past to life through special exhibits and educational programs.