Museums
Since the 18th century, western societies have enshrined their past in museums. Originally developed as cabinets of curiosity or cabinets of wonder (Wunderkammer) containing all manner of odd things (unicorns' horns besides geodes beside a preserved head of a monstrous calf), collections by the later 18th century took on regional and eventually national significance.
One of the reasons they did so was because they provided what came to be known as "object lesson history." Objects bring history alive in a way that words on a page or even pictures (static or moving) cannot. And even better, if students get to participate in activities, lasting impressions are formed.
Because museums offer a unique teaching perspective, we have involved a number of those living history museums that preserve, interpret and promote the past and its technologies.
You may also want to consult our State by State guide to historic museums and properties.
Our Museum Partners
 Ephrata Cloister |
 Saugus Iron Works |
 Centre Furnace/Centre County Historical Society |
 Historic Bethlehem |
 Hopewell Furnace |
 National Park Service/ Teaching with Historic Places |
Map and list of historic sites and museums by state.
Bibliographies
- Colonial American Mill Bibliography
For those needing references to more information on mills, milling, and the present state of mills in North America, please see the following. - Readings for Advanced Students and for Special Topics on Watermills and Windmills
Links
- Windmill and Watermill Resources on the Web
Links to sites on water- and windmills. - Watermill Interactive Desktop (PC freeware)
- Sarehole Mill near Birmingham, with lots of online content
- Viking Sled Project -- Example of getting students at the secondary level interested in hands-on activities involving medieval technology.
- SPOOM
- Blackstone River Valley Heritage Corridor
- West Point Foundry Archaeology Project at Cold Spring, NY
- Belgian Postmills
- Medieval Gastronomy from the Bibliothéque Nationale in Paris [in English]
- Mills in Manuscripts, Incunabula, and Rare Books [compilation in multiple languages]
