Museum Guide News

Albacore Park, a nonprofit maritime museum and National Historic Landmark Site in Portsmouth, New Hampshire that famously offers walk-through tours of the decommissioned submarine, USS Albacore (AGSS-569), is currently undergoing its very first building expansion—a 1,500 square foot extension to its existing visitor center—since the museum originally opened in 1986. In support of this expansion, Albacore Park will be hosting a Gala dinner fundraiser on Saturday, October 26th, 2024 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. The Gala will be held at Atlantic Grill (located at 5 Pioneer Road, Rye, New Hampshire 03870) and will offer hors d'oeuvres, a sit-down dinner, a silent auction featuring a dazzling array of items generously donated by various local businesses, organizations, and artists on the Seacoast, and a very special guest speaker—Dr. Ali (Al) Naqvi, CEO and Professor from the American Institute of Artificial Intelligence. The USS Albacore’s motto, “Forerunner of the Future” represents the collaboration between science and technology that has always driven America forward. Dr. Al Naqvi is a pioneering leader in Artificial Intelligence whose mission is to responsibly revolutionize AI, while guiding governments, companies, and professionals through AI adoption. At the Albacore Park Gala, he will give an introduction to what AI really is and what it means in the context of the future, reminding us that the USS Albacore is a symbol of technological advancement and a model for how we should approach the development and use of AI. Tickets for the Albacore Park Gala are on sale now and can be purchased online by visiting AP2024.eventbrite.com. Guests will be asked to make their choice of entree upon ticket purchase. If you’re unable to attend this event but would still like to donate to Albacore Park’s expansion project, please visit them online at ussalbacore.org/donate.  

The Forney Museum of Transportation, in Denver, CO began as the private collection of Mr. J. D. Forney of Fort Collins, CO. https://www.forneymuseum.org/index.html From an early age Mr. Forney had an interest in cars, airplanes, and all modes of transportation. He was born in Enid, Oklahoma on January 27, 1905 Today the Forney Museum of Transportation is a one-of-a-kind collection of over 800 artifacts relating to historical transportation. It began 67 years ago with a single 1921 Kissel, but soon expanded to include vehicles of all kinds. Today it includes not just vehicles, but also buggies, motorcycles, steam locomotives, aircraft, carriages, rail equipment, fire apparatus, public transportation, sleighs, bicycles, toys & diecast models, vintage apparel and much, much more! Our collection highlights include: Union Pacific 'Big Boy' Steam Locomotive #4005, Amelia Earhart's 1923 Kissel 'Gold Bug' Kissel Car. We also feature the Forney Locomotive, Colorado & Southern Caboose, 1923 Hispano-Suiza, 1927 Rolls-Royce, 1913-53 Indian Motorcycle Collection, Denver & Rio Grande Dining Car, 1888 Denver Cable Car, 1923 Case Steam Tractor, 1817 Draisenne Bicycle, 500 Piece Matchbox Collection, and more! The Museum is fortunate enough to offer rotating exhibits every 3-4 months! The Forney Museum also has many scheduled events throughout the year, please click below and check them out! https://www.forneymuseum.org/events.html Located just 5 minutes from the heart of Downtown Denver, the Forney Museum is also an event venue in Denver. We provide your guests with a unique and memorable experience. Event Rental Venues in Central Space. Place your party right in the middle of our historic collection! This space can easily accommodate a dance floor, DJ, catering, and auction tables. The space will be sized to best fit your guest count- from 50 people up to 500 seated, and even more cocktail style. https://www.forneymuseum.org/MeetingRooms.html Next time in you're in Denver come check us out for a history in the transportation industry you’ve never seen before!  

Carillon Historical Park is a 65-acre open-air history museum that serves as the main campus for Dayton History, with over 30 buildings to visit. We share the amazing stories of how Dayton changed the world! The Historical Park is in existence due to the generosity of Colonel Edward Andrew Deeds (1874–1960) and Edith Walton Deeds (1869–1947). In the 1930s, while traveling in Bruges, Belgium, Edith, an accomplished musician, found inspiration in magnificent carillon music, and she dreamed of sharing this music with the people of Dayton. Edith’s dream became reality through the construction of Deeds Carillon—her most visible legacy to the community she loved. In 1950, Carillon Historical Park’s Museum complex opened with the purpose of showcasing the region’s industrial innovations, transportation achievements, and Dayton’s contributions to world progress. Since construction first began on Deeds Carillon in 1940, the dreams of Edith and Edward Deeds have evolved into a beautiful 65-acre campus—designed by the Olmsted Brothers (the famed landscape architects responsible for Central Park)—containing dozens of museum buildings and countless artifacts. The Dayton region’s remarkable story continues to inspire visitors from around the world. Here are the Things to Do and See at the Park! Heritage Center of Dayton Manufacturing & Entrepreneurship - learn about innovation and invention! By the turn of the century, Dayton had more patents, per capita, than any U.S. city, and one-sixth of the nation’s corporate executives had spent a portion of their career at legendary Dayton company National Cash Register (NCR). Beginning in the mid-1800s, Dayton established itself as a center of manufacturing and entrepreneurship. Early Settlement Area Walk into life as an American settler! Consisting of Newcom Tavern (Dayton’s oldest standing building, ca. 1796), the William Morris House (ca. 1815), the Hetzel Summer Kitchen (1817), Newcom House (ca. 1841), the Watervliet Shaker Building (ca. 1819), and Locust Grove School No. 12 (1896), Carillon Historical Park’s Early Settlement Area recalls the early days of Dayton—a city that would grow and evolve to eventually change the world. The Wright Brothers National Museum, come discover Dayton’s rich past and see the original Wright Flyer III! Dayton is the birth place of the Wright brothers. Come and learn about them! The Print Shop Visit our fully-operational 1930s letterpress print shop! The Carillon Historical Park Print Shop is the nation’s only fully operational 1930s letterpress job shop in a museum. With authentic 1930s printing equipment and furnishings, the Print Shop harkens to a time when Dayton had 77 printing companies, ranging from one-person operations to McCall’s, which produced 4 million magazines daily, including Newsweek, U.S. News & World Report, Reader’s Digest, Redbook, and Popular Science.The James F. Dicke Family Transportation Center Climb aboard one of the old trains in the world! The James F. Dicke Family Transportation Center houses the 1835 B&O #1, John Quincy Adams (the oldest existing American-built locomotive), a breathtaking Barney & Smith parlor railcar, an authentic Conestoga wagon, and many other exceptional transportation-themed artifacts. The Great 1913 Flood Exhibit  Learn about the Great 1913 Flood and how it shaped Dayton today! The Great 1913 Flood was Ohio’s worst natural disaster; waters reached 20 feet in low-lying areas and rushed up to 25 miles-per-hour. Gas lines broke, fires roared across town, and the Great Miami River swelled to more than a mile wide on either side. While over 1,400 horses died, the region only accounted for 361 human casualties, largely due to NCR’s massive relief efforts. History on the Hill & Moraine Trails Walk the trails and learn about the Moraine’s geological history! The History on the Hill Interpretive Center tells the story of the land on which Carillon Historical Park sits—its geological history, its settlement by the prehistoric Hopewell people, and its use as a segment of the Miami and Erie Canal. Featuring a number of exhilarating tunnel slides and the Archeology Adventure Zone, History on the Hill has become a popular spot for guests of all ages. Along with these historical exhibits and musuems the park is also filled with entertainment, special events and festivals year-round. Come and see the rich history of Dayton, OH and how it help shape our Country!  Open: Mon - Sat: 9:30am - 5:00pm, Sun: 12:00pm - 5:00pmhttps://www.daytonhistory.org/    

The AACA Museum, Inc. is America’s Transportation Experience!  We’re dedicated to the preservation and presentation of the motor vehicle history in a way that provides for the education and entertainment for our guests. The museum delivers a world-class automotive experience through innovative and interactive exhibits that appeal to all ages and illustrate the historical evolution and potential future impacts of one of the most culturally defining innovations of modern times – the automobile. The idea of presenting an automobile collector’s museum in Hershey, PA, originated with a committed group of automobile hobbyists. As their determination to move the project forward grew, their enthusiasm gained support throughout the region. In 1993, the AACA Museum, Inc. was incorporated as a Pennsylvania nonprofit educational institution! The new vision focused on presenting America’s intriguing automotive heritage to the public. The museum launched a $12 million capital campaign dedicated to building a world-class museum.  The vision of a world-class automotive heritage museum in Hershey became a reality. The 71,000-square-foot museum, officially named the AACA Museum, Inc., opened on June 26, 2003. Offering noteworthy exhibits and an ever-growing permanent collection, the museum welcomes guests of all ages to enjoy the wonders of invention, interactive educational displays, famous and one-of-a-kind vehicles, and family fun.  Today the AACA Museum at Hershey displays vintage automobiles in unique settings. Visitors can stroll through eight decades in time while traveling from New York to San Francisco. It’s a trip down “memory lane” as iconic settings reveal vehicles from generations of American motoring. The museum sponsors workshops and activities designed to raise public awareness and appreciation of the role that the automobile has played in shaping 20th century America. AACA Museum embraces the role of the collector in preserving automotive heritage. It is unique in that all the cars on display have been donated or offered for display by car experts and enthusiasts. The AACA Museum at Hershey ranks among the top automotive museums in the world and has been recognized by the Smithsonian as an Affiliate Museum. The museum is home to the Cammack Tucker Collection, the world’s most extensive collection of Tucker automobiles and memorabilia. AACA Museum also houses the Museum of Bus Transportation Collection. When traveling through Pennsylvania, make a point to stop and visit the AACA Museum and take a trip back in automobile and transportation history! https://www.aacamuseum.org/  

History awaits you in Blacksburg, VA at Historic Smithfield. This historic plantation, was originally part of the Preston family and today, it stands as a preserved historic site and museum, showcasing colonial-era architecture and offering insights into the lifestyle of early settlers.  Historic Smithfield seeks to inspire a new generation of Americans through the stories and values of the Preston Family and all those who lived at Smithfield. These values are liberty, courage, leadership, education, and justice. Smithfield began operating independently of the APVA (now Virginia Antiquities) in 2018 when the Smithfield-Preston Foundation took full ownership of the property. It partners with Virginia Tech, which holds an historic preservation easement on the manor house, out buildings, and historic landscape. With the help of the Preservation Virginia and the Virginia Daughters of the American Revolution, the property was restored and opened to the public in 1964. The rooms of the house are furnished with eighteenth and nineteenth century decorative arts furniture, portraits and other items, while the basement level Museum contains a variety of artifacts found on-site, including Native Anerican relics. The landscape includes an eighteenth-century kitchen garden tended by volunteers.  Historic Smithfield uses the complx histories of the regions indigenous peoples, the Preston Family and the enslaved community to inform our present and future! They are open for tours April through the first week in December! Come visit soon and experience this Anerican rich and complex history in Blacksburg, VA ! https://www.historicsmithfield.org/  

The Permian Basin Petroleum Museum, is a fascinating institution dedicated to preserving the history and educating visitors about the petroleum industry in the Permian Basin region. A visit to the Museum is an amazing journey through over 230 million years of history. Located in the heart of the Permian Basin, the Petroleum Museum offers interactive education and entertainment for adventurers of all ages. It showcases exhibits on the geology of the area, the technology used in oil exploration and extraction, the impact of the industry on the local economy and culture, and the individuals who have shaped its history. Visitors can explore interactive displays, multimedia presentations, and artifacts that highlight the development of the oil industry in the Permian Basin, which has been a significant contributor to the energy sector in the United States for over a century. From the early wildcatters to the modern innovations in drilling techniques, the museum provides an exciting and comprehensive look at the evolution of the industry and its influence on the region and beyond. In addition to its permanent exhibits, the museum often hosts special events, educational programs, and temporary exhibitions that go deeper into various aspects of petroleum exploration, production, and its impact on society and the environment. We are also proud to be a Blue Star Museum! The Museum is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in the history of the oil industry or seeking to understand the role of energy in shaping the modern world. Please go to our website to see all our upcoming summer exhibits and more! https://petroleummuseum.org/  

The Sandy Historical Society Museums location was built on the exact site of the famous Barlow Road, which was the last leg of the Oregon Trail that brought thousands of pioneers in covered wagons over the Cascade Mountains to Western Oregon from the mid 1840s until the 1870s. The museums carefully curated exhibits conjure a history and peoples who endured hardship and travail to help bring civilization to our piece of Oregon Territory. The museum's two floors of exhibit space are devoted to the geography, the pioneers and settlers, and their role in the settling of the West. The main exhibit hall showcases the role of geography in influencing the immigrants to stay in this area rather than push towards the Columbia River. The exhibit hall includes a diorama, video, logging equipment and an excellent collection of photographs of the logging industry, which was the heart of the Sandy economy. From the kitchen to the parlor, the barnyard to the local shops, the displays in the top floor gallery (accessible by elevator) are meant to be a look back in time. The exhibits include a good selection of home goods that were at the core of home life - cast iron pots, kitchen implements and more. There is also the museum's Jonsrud Library with relevant history volumes and the family histories of Sandy-area families who have submitted them. The family histories also include photographs and obituaries that volunteers have contributed to the paper history. The Museum also has meeting facilities for rent, a visitor center, and a gift shop. Where there is a large variety of items from the area: souvenirs, hats, t-shirts and logo items. You are sure to find something to take home! Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 4PM. Sunday & Monday Closed Come visit us soon, as a visit to the Sandy Historical Society Museum is like stepping back in time. https://www.sandyhistory.com/museum  

The American GI Museum is located in College Station, Texas and is a tribute to the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. It's a place where visitors can learn about the history of American military involvement, from World War I all the way to the present day. The museum features exhibits that showcase uniforms, equipment, vehicles, and personal artifacts from various conflicts, providing insight into the experiences of soldiers throughout history. The Museum highlights a unique collection of military vehicles from various periods and its collection is fully functional.  Each vehicle has been meticulously restored to its original condition so that it both looks and runs just like it did when it first came off the assembly line.  The museum’s insistence on maintaining such a well restored collection comes from its mission of educating future generations.  At the museum’s annual “Living History Weekend” the public is invited to come experience the rumble of tanks, the whine of engines, the shots of small arms fire, and the blasts of tank and artillery cannons with impressive pyrotechnics simulating authentic firing. We also have an amazing collection of original World War II posters. We are very proud to be able to preserve these pieces of our nation’s past! Each poster tells a different story and holds a significant message. It's a great destination for both history enthusiasts, families and those with a connection to the military. Located in College Station, Texas the museum is part of a vibrant cultural, academic and recreational setting in the city. Come visit us, as well as enjoy all that College Station, TX has to offer. Hours:  Wednesday – Saturday: 10AM – 5PM and Sunday: 12PM – 5PM"Group tours by appointment: Wednesday - Friday" Located: 19124 Highway 6 South College Station, Texas - 979-690-0501 https://americangimuseum.org/

  Did you know that the only museum and research center dedicated to Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War west of the Mississippi River is located in Redlands, California?  The Lincoln Memorial Shrine was made possible by the philanthropy of Robert and Alma Watchorn in 1932. Since its inception, the Shrine has become a leading institution for the study of Lincoln and the Civil War on the west coast.  Thousands of letters and diaries written by those involved in the national crisis have been collected, as well as artwork and artifacts.  In addition to the over five dozen documents written or signed by Abraham Lincoln and a variety of artifacts that help tell the story of the Civil War, a Carrara marble bust of Lincoln by sculptor George Gray Barnard is the centerpiece of the museum. Numerous events are held at the Shrine each year. From presentations by noted historians to Civil War Christmas Carols, the largest event is the annual Open House, which will take place on Saturday, February 3, 2024, 11am-3pm at the Lincoln Shrine. The Open House features exhibitions, live music, artillery and cavalry demonstrations, and an appearance by President Lincoln himself! For more information and additional events, visit www.lincolnshrine.org. The Lincoln Memorial Shrine is open Tuesday-Sunday, 1-5pm and closed major holidays, but is always open on February 12th, Abraham Lincoln’s birthday.  For more information, Lincoln Dinner reservations, or to schedule group tours, please contact the Shrine at (909) 798-7632 or email heritage@akspl.org.  

Civil War Connections at the American Swedish Historical Museum Though one might not immediately connect the American Swedish Historical Museum in Philadelphia with the Civil War, the museum is actually home to two important Civil War collections. The John Ericsson Gallery at ASHM features a striking mural, A Crisis in our National History, John Ericsson Saves the Northern Fleet, which depicts a fictionalized meeting between Swedish American inventor John Ericsson (1803-1889) and a committee formed by Abraham Lincoln to develop a plan for an armored warship. Though the mural likely dramatizes Ericsson’s warship design submission, the Navy did adopt Ericsson’s design for what became the Monitor. The Monitor famously went on to repel the Confederate Merrimac at the Battle of Hampton Roads in 1862, saving the rest of the Union fleet. The John Ericsson Room at ASHM showcases many of Ericsson’s engineering designs and sketches, as well as objects related to the Monitor and Merrimac. Outside, a pair of large cannons flank the American Swedish Historical Museum. Originally on board the wooden, steam-powered USS Osceola and USS Ticonderoga during the Civil War, these cannons were put into storage in the latter half of the nineteenth century before finally arriving in Philadelphia in 1938. This type of cannon, called a Dahlgren gun, was designed by Rear Admiral John A. Dahlgren, the son of a Swedish Consul in Philadelphia, hence why the cannons have found a home at the American Swedish Historical Museum. Dahlgren guns, nicknamed “soda bottles” for their distinctive shape, came as a significant advance in naval cannons that made the weapons both safer and more powerful. Visit the American Swedish Historical Museum to view these collections and many others. The museum is located at 1900 Pattison Avenue Philadelphia, PA and is open from 10am-4pm Tuesday-Friday and 12-4pm Saturday-Sunday. Veterans and military receive discounted admission