Each week, we'll be featuring a place of interest around Cleveland, site of Gay Games IX in 2014. Cleveland, Akron, and Northeast Ohio are great places to visit, and are also great places from which to experience some of the finest destinations in the USA and Canada.
This week we're featuring "living history museums", places that reconstitute what life was like in the past.
Century Village Museum
Burton, Ohio
The Geauga County Historical Society ensures that the history of Geauga County is preserved for the education and appreciation of present and future generations.
Our fully restored Century Village Museum, located in Burton, Ohio is an authentic representation of a Western Reserve Village from 1798 to the turn of the 19th century.
The Museum contains over twenty historically authentic buildings, more than 20,000 museum artifacts, and a working farm with a sugar bush for making maple syrup.
Century Village Museum provides guided tours, offers educational programs and hosts several festivals and special events each year including a Civil War Reenactment, Antique Power and Steam Show, Apple Butter Festival and Raccoon County Music Festival.
More info HERE.
Old Economy Village
Ambridge, Pennsylvania
Old Economy Village is a historic settlement lying on the banks of the Ohio River. The Village is the last of three settlements established by the Harmony Society in the United States. Established in 1824, it was designated a National Historic Landmark District in 1966 under the name of "Old Economy."
The Harmony Society was a Christian theosophy and pietist society founded in Iptingen, Germany, in 1785. Due to religious persecution by the Lutheran Church and the government in Württemberg, the Harmony Society moved to the United States in 1803–1804, initially purchasing 12 km² of land in Butler County, Pennsylvania. On February 15, 1805, they, together with about 400 followers, formally organized the Harmony Society, placing all their goods in common.
The Society lasted for 100 years – roughly from 1805 until 1905. Members of the society were sometimes called Harmonists, Harmonites, or Rappites. The Harmony Society is best known for its worldly successes, eventually building three successive communities, first at Harmony, Pennsylvania (1804–1814), then New Harmony, Indiana (1814–1824), finally settling in Economy.
The Harmonites named their last town Economy after the spiritual notion of the Divine Economy. Here under the business acumen and efficient management of Frederick Rapp, they enjoyed such prosperity that by 1829 they dominated the trade and the markets of Pittsburgh and down the Ohio River. They were accused of being a monopoly, and it was advocated that the society be dissolved by the State. At this time the community was not neglectful of matters pertaining to art and culture. Frederick Rapp purchased and installed a museum, containing fine paintings and many curios and antiquities; they had a deer park, a floral park, and a maze, or labyrinth; they also had a good orchestra, were fond of music, and gave much attention to its cultivation.
More info HERE.
Sainte Marie among the Iroquois
Liverpool, New York
Sainte Marie among the Iroquois Living History Museum is a re-creation of the French Mission that stood on the shores of Onondaga Lake from 1656-1658.
The Mission itself is surrounded by a high stockade and contains a chapel, refectory (dining hall), workshops and pens for animals. Outside the fort are gardens (vegetable and herb) and a baking oven.
Browse the museum and learn about the 17th century culture of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois), the French Jesuit missionaries and their meeting here. Visit the Interpretive Center and converse with the costumed interpreters about daily life in the 1650's. Demonstrations in carpentry, blacksmithing, cooking and other unique activities are available.
More info HERE .
Colonial Williamsburg
Williamsburg, Virginia
Colonial Williamsburg is the historic district of the city of Williamsburg, Virginia, USA. The district includes buildings dating from 1699 to 1780 which made up colonial Virginia's capital. For most of the 18th century, Williamsburg was the center of government, education and culture in the Colony of Virginia. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, James Monroe, James Madison, George Wythe, Peyton Randolph, and others molded democracy in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States here.
The motto of Colonial Williamsburg is "The future may learn from the past." The Historic Area is an interpretation of a Colonial American city, with exhibits including dozens of authentic or re-created colonial houses and relating to American Revolutionary War history. Prominent buildings include the Raleigh Tavern, the Capitol, The Governor's Palace (all reconstructed), and Bruton Parish Church (original). Rather than an effort to preserve antiquity, the combination of restoration and re-creation of the entire colonial town attempts to re-create the atmosphere and the ideals of 18th-century American people and revolutionary leaders. Interpreters work and dress as they did in the era, using colonial grammar and diction (although not colonial accents).
The 301-acre (122 ha) Historic Area is located immediately east of the College of William and Mary, which was founded at Middle Plantation in 1693. The new college was a key factor in the establishment of the town as capital of Virginia in 1698 and its renaming for King William III of England shortly thereafter. As the city was laid out, the school's Wren Building stood at the western end of Duke of Gloucester Street, where it stands today, opposite the Capitol where the burgesses, and later legislators, met.
Colonial Williamsburg is a Williamsburg tourist attraction. The site has been used for conferences by world leaders and heads of state, including U.S. Presidents. In 1983, the United States hosted the first World Economic Conference at Colonial Williamsburg. Colonial Williamsburg is within the Historic Triangle of Virginia area, which includes Jamestown and Yorktown.
More info HERE.
Paul Bunyon Logging Camp
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Paul Bunyan is a mythological lumberjack who is usually described as a giant as well as a lumberjack of unusual skill.
According to writer James Stevens, French Canadians gave birth to the tales during the Papineau Rebellion of 1837, when they revolted against the young English Queen. This would probably explain the origin of Bunyan's last name since "Bonyenne" is a colloquial French-Canadian expression of surprise and astonishment meaning "Good Grief" or "My Goodness".
Paul Bunyan has given his name to a living history museum in Eau Claire, Wisconsin:
Experience what life was like in an 1890s logging camp when you visit the Paul Bunyan Logging Camp Museum, established in 1934.
Begin your tour with a short film in our Dale Syth Theatre. Our Interpretive Center features logging artifacts and memorabilia depicting the rugged camp life.
Step back in time when you explore our authentic logging camp buildings including:
- Barn
- Blacksmith Shop
- Cook Shanty
- Bunkhouse
- Wanigan
- Foreman's Office
- Heavy Equipment Shed
Before searching for the perfect souvenir in our gift shop, you may want to take a stroll through the Big Cut Room to understand the impact logging had on our forests and wild life.
Kids of all ages will want to run to Paul's Tall Tales Room to play games and check out the interactive exhibits.
More info HERE.
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