Historic Home of 1800s Governor in Lafayette, LA: Alexandre Mouton

Alexandre Mouton was a statesman and governor in Louisiana. His Lafayette home, known now as the Lafayette Museum as well as the Alexandre Mouton House, has been restored to its 1848 grandeur. This makes it a key Lafayette attraction for visitors.

Linda’s Pick of the Exhibits

My favorite exhibit is typically one that’s unique and expands my knowledge of a place’s history — in the Mouton House, that was the Nun’s Room. It helped remind me of the diverse cultural and religious influences throughout Lafayette’s history. While Jean Mouton, who built the original parts of the Mouton house, was Acadian, Lafayette had many other influences.

The room honors the Mt. Carmel sisters who lived across the street for over 100 years. The Carmelite order traces back to Mount Carmel in northwestern Israel about 1155. Their rule was written between 1206 and 1214 by St. Albert.

Other interesting artifacts and details included:

• Picture of a young nun hand painted on porcelain
• Mannequin dressed in a traditional nun’s habit worn up to 1967
• Intricately crafted quilts
• Small statue of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini (1850 – 1917) who founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
• Rosary passed down through generations, donated by Annamay Lucia (formerly Sister Mary Celestine)

What’s in the Lafayette Museum?

The city of Lafayette was founded by Jean Mouton. The original village (named Vermilionville) was laid out by Mouton and his surveyor, John Dinsmore, Jr. in 1821.

Jean Moutin’s original family home, a modest one-room house with a kitchen, was built around 1800. The purpose of this Acadian-style cottage was to provide a place for the family to stay when they went to town for Sunday church services.

It was built with traditional briquette entre poteaux construction? What was that? Brick infill between wooden posts. The kitchen, as was common in Louisiana, was a separate building connected with a covered walkway.

While the original house grew, the original kitchen is still on the site.

Alexandre Mouton, Jean’s son, was born there in 1804.

In 1820, Alexandre Mouton added three rooms to accommodate his growing family. The home was sold to Dr. W.G. Mills in 1849. He added a second floor, the third-floor cupola, and additional rooms that make up the house we visit today.

The house is an important piece of architecture, showing the evolution of buildings in the region.

The Mouton House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. An historical marker provides insights into the importance of the house in preserving local history.

Things you’ll note in the house as you explore the rooms include:

• Hand-made functional furniture made by Cajun craftsmen
• Recessed panels on doors
• Crown moldings and tapered legs
• Wrought iron butt hinges and locks

You can view period furnishings and design in three historic structures:

• Two-story main house with wooden porches on both the first and second floors
• Acadian house connected by a covered wooden porch
• Brick smokehouse

Linda’s Road Trip Tips

Lafayette is at the heart of Acadiana, a Louisiana region known for its strong Cajun and Creole influences.

The city has a relaxed, fun vibe that you can’t resist.

In fact, you’ll likely find a festival or celebration happening in Lafayette whenever you decide to visit!

I was lucky to be visiting during the Festival Acadiens et Creole, with its food, music, and dancing. It was simply amazing!

When it comes to museums and historic sites, these were my favorite in Lafayette:

• Vermilionville Living History Open Air Village
• Lafayette Science Museum
• Children’s Museum of Acadiana

Who Should Visit the Lafayette Museum / Mouton House?

The Lafayette Museum is an attraction that contributes a lot to showcasing two centuries of Louisiana history.

Starting with the Acadian influences, you’ll also find a lot of information on the Civil War. Artifacts link to Governor Alexandre Mouton and his son, Confederate General Alfred Mouton.

For those interested in architecture, the three historic structures are must-sees.

Some exhibits are interactive, so Mouton House is a good family destination. The guides are great and happy to answer any questions.

There’s limited accessibility for those with mobility issues, due to the preservation of the historic structure.

There isn’t an elevator, so visitors unable to climb stairs will only be able to view the first floor.

How Do You Visit the Lafayette Museum / Mouton House?

Lafayette, Louisiana, is a key transportation hub in the Southern United States. So, it’s intersected by several major highways, including I-10 and I-49.

Street Address: 1122 Lafayette Street, Lafayette, LA

The museum is open year-round, but check the Lafayette Museum website for days and hours open, as well as admission costs.

Check the Lafayette Museum Facebook page for the latest updates.

Take a short virtual tour of the Lafayette Museum with Explore Louisiana on YouTube.

Plan your visit with Google maps.

Find More Museum Reviews for Louisiana

Check out more reviews for museum attractions in Louisiana on guide2museums.com.

Read More Historic House Reviews

• Historic Home of 1800s Governor in Lafayette, LA: Alexandre Mouton

• Adams Museum in Deadwood: Where Legends are Larger Than Life

• Bishop’s Palace in Galveston, Texas: Victorian Era Castle

• Rip Van Winkle Gardens & Historic Mansion: Jefferson Island, Louisiana

• The Sheriff’s House Museum & Historic Site: A Hidden Gem in Devils Lake, North Dakota

• Campbell House Museum – 1820s Toronto, Ontario

• Hearst Castle: National Historic Landmark in San Simeon, California

• Oak Alley Plantation: Grand Dame of Louisiana’s River Road

• Evergreen Plantation: National Landmark Site in Edgard, Louisiana

• Casa Loma: Historic 98 Room House Museum in Toronto, Ontario

#history #I10 #I49 #lifestyles #Louisiana #museums #richAndFamous #travel #US_

Bishop’s Palace in Galveston, Texas: Victorian Era Castle

The East End Historic District of Galveston, Texas, covers 50 city blocks of beautiful historic properties. None, however, is more impressive than the Bishop’s Palace, or Gresham’s Castle as it’s also known.

This historic house has been called one of the hundred most important buildings in America by the American Institute of Architects.

Linda’s Favorite Part of the Castle

I love castles whether they’re centuries-old and in a state of disrepair, or a century old and ornate like Gresham’s Castle. And I find the insides even more fascinating.

So what’s my favorite part of this historic house? The mahogany stairwell, which is recognized as one of its notable architectural features. It’s one of the first things to see inside the main entrance’s octagonal rotunda.

The staircase rises forty feet from the floor to the domed ceiling and even has an octagonal skylight above it. So, playful shadows fell around my feet as I climbed the stairs. And of course, lights flickering in the stained glass windows also caught my eye.

As the stairway wound up to the second floor, I had to admire the carved banister and spindles. And while I know skin oils can cause build-up on the wood, I was sure tempted to hold the handrail!

I couldn’t help but admire the rare woods used in the construction of the castle. They included rosewood, satinwood, white mahogany, American oak, and maple. 

And while the wood is beautiful, it was the carvings that really made the staircase stand out for me.

What’s at the Bishop’s Palace?

The Bishop’s Palace is a 19,082 square feet Victorian-style home. It took from 1897 to 1892 to build it for Walter Gresham. Who was he? A Texas lawyer and politician who spent around $250,000 on this home for his wife, Josephine, and nine children.

A three-story Victorian era home, the palace was designed by prominent Galveston architect, Nicholas Clayton.

Its exterior features such things as a steep roof and long sculptural chimneys. From its irregular shaped rocks to the Tudor arches with animal carvings, it’s truly an architectural gem.

While the exterior impressed citizens of the time, visitors to the house would have found the interior just as amazing. The two main floors feature various types of wood, lots of ornate designs, and tons of stained glass.

Today, the furnishings are a mix of original from the Greshams and additions from later owners.

Original house owner, Josephine Gresham, added her own touches.

An accomplished artist, she painted several murals. The dining room ceiling mural depicted her nine children as angels.

Walter Gresham’s family lived in the house until 1923, three years after his death. Then, the house was sold to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Galveston. It became the home of Bishop Christopher Byrne.

The key change made by the Bishop was to convert a second-floor bedroom into a chapel. He added an altar along with six prie-dieu (kneelers). Above, a ceiling mural depicted the four Evangelists—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The room was completed by a gold-lacquered brass and onyx crucifix.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Galveston owned the Bishop’s Palace for 90 years, from 1923 until 2013. After serving as a residence, it housed diocesan offices.

Then, in 1963, the diocese opened the mansion to the public for tours. Tour proceeds supported the University of Texas Medical Branch’s Newman Center, which operated in the basement.

In 2013, the Galveston Historical Foundation acquired the property. They continue to maintain it and offer public tours.

This historic house museum was declared a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1967. In 1970 it was also added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Linda’s Road Trip Tips

Galveston is a great destination! We stayed at the Moody Gardens Resort where we were attending a conference.

However, you don’t have to stay to enjoy the three pyramids, their attractions, or the five-story ropes course and 500 ft (150 m) zipline. While we were there, we saw a steady stream of school buses dropping kids off for the day.

We found Galveston easy to drive in, and visited a number of attractions.

Here’s a list!

• Texas Seaport Museum with the Ship to Shore Exhibit, 1877 tall ship Elissa, and harbor tour on the Seagull II
• Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig and Museum
• Galveston Naval Museum (it was unfortunately closed while we visited) – USS Cavalla submarine and USS Stewart destroyer escort
• The Bryan Museum
• Galveston Railroad Museum
• Galveston’s Juneteenth Exhibit: And Still We Rise

Who Should Visit the Bishop’s Palace Historic House Museum?

Anyone interested in Victorian era architecture will be able to spend hours in the Bishop’s Palace! Likewise, if you just love to explore the historic homes of the rich and famous.

While the house is packed with irreplaceable artifacts, you can walk through without a guide. This gives you lots of time to spend taking photos or just soaking up the atmosphere.

Families with small children won’t likely find it a great destination, as kids will have to be watched closely. The stairs, while beautiful, are steep and have lots of steps. In order to keep the historic authenticity of the house there isn’t an elevator.

Those with mobility issues (or baby strollers) will have difficulty entering the building as there aren’t any ramps. However, the exterior beauty of the building is readily enjoyed on a driving tour of the East End Historic District.

We spent about an hour and a half in the historic house.

How Do You Visit the Bishop’s Palace?

The East End Historic District was Galveston’s first residential area. In addition to the Bishop’s Palace, there are numerous historic homes still standing to see on a driving tour. Many of them also withstood the 1900 Galveston Hurricane.

Street address: 1402 Broadway, Galveston, Texas

The historic house is open year-round, but check days and hours on the Galveston History website.

Get the latest on the Bishop’s Palace Facebook page.

Take a YouTube tour with the Texas Bucket List video.

Plan your visit now with Google maps.

Find More Museums in Texas

Check out more museum reviews for museum attractions in Texas on guide2museums.com

Read More Historic House Museum Reviews

• Historic Home of 1800s Governor in Lafayette, LA: Alexandre Mouton

• Adams Museum in Deadwood: Where Legends are Larger Than Life

• Bishop’s Palace in Galveston, Texas: Victorian Era Castle

• Rip Van Winkle Gardens & Historic Mansion: Jefferson Island, Louisiana

• The Sheriff’s House Museum & Historic Site: A Hidden Gem in Devils Lake, North Dakota

• Campbell House Museum – 1820s Toronto, Ontario

• Hearst Castle: National Historic Landmark in San Simeon, California

• Oak Alley Plantation: Grand Dame of Louisiana’s River Road

• Evergreen Plantation: National Landmark Site in Edgard, Louisiana

• Casa Loma: Historic 98 Room House Museum in Toronto, Ontario

#history #lifestyles #museums #richAndFamous #Texas #travel #US_

Diamond Platnumz Biography, Age, Wife, Songs, Album, Children, Girlfriend, Real Name, Tribe, Parents, Mother, Net Worth

Early Life

Diamond Platnumz (born October 2, 1989, 35 years old). He was born at Dar es Salaam’s Amana Hospital. His grandmother raised Diamond Platnumz in the western section of Tandale as his mother’s only child.
#DiamondPlatnumz #PopMusic #CelebrityNews #RichAndFamous

https://creebhills.com/2023/05/diamond-platnumz-biography-age-net-worth?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

EAA Aviation Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin: Airplanes from All Eras

The EAA Aviation Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, curates all eras of flight. From aviation pioneers like the Wright Brothers to SpaceShipOne, visitors will find airplanes at the cutting edge of achievement.

Linda’s Pick of the Exhibits

We always find machinery of the past fascinating. David studies the technology and I look for the stories of the people who created, built and used the machines. And the EAA Aviation Museum provided a rich hunting ground for both of us.

With a collection as diverse as that of the EAA Aviation Museum, it’s hard to pick a favorite. David, of course, always heads straight for the motors.

In addition to motors, many of the technological highlights are illustrated in the museum.

And for me, I found the Johnson Expedition story of this replica S-38 airplane fascinating. The “Johnson” here, was H. F. Johnson who owned Johnson Wax. He took an expedition into the jungles of Brazil in 1935 looking for — you guessed it — something related to wax.

After a lot of airplane research, Johnson picked the Sikorsky S-38 to fly. It was powered by two Pratt and Whitney radial “Wasp” engines rated at 420 h.p. Even more important, it could take off from land or water. As a plus, it could fly on one engine.

But back to the mission. Johnson was looking for the carnauba palm. Why? The carnauba leaves provide the finest natural wax in the world!

And what did Johnson accomplish? The expedition flew 15,550 air miles into mostly in inhospitable territory. However, they returned with a wealth of knowledge that helped ensure a plentiful supply of carnauba wax.

And this is just one of the many stories in the EAA Aviation Museum!

What’s in the EAA Aviation Museum?

The idea for the EAA Aviation Museum was born more than seventy years ago, in September of 1953. At that time, a handful of innovators attended the first Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) fly-in with their aircraft.

These innovators shared two main things: their passion for flight and their skills at creating revolutionary airplane designs.

Today, the museum has more than 200 airplanes. They range from homebuilts, the original focus of the organization, to air racing and aerobatics, to their innovations gallery. We found the museum’s key strength, though, in the amount of information provided with each artifact in the collection.

Indeed, their library has more than 100,000 images of the aircraft and the people who flew them. It also includes 11,000 books, various magazines, journals, and manuals.

The eight exhibits range from KidVenture Gallery to the Pioneer Airport. Indeed, families will love the interactive exhibits! Kids will enjoy the half-scale model of an F-22 where they can climb into the cockpit. This is just one fun option in the Raptor Gallery.

And the event that started the EAA Aviation Museum is still running with the name EAA Airventure. It makes the air control tower at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, airport the busiest in the state for a week each summer!

While visiting the museum in person is an amazing experience, the EAA website has lots to see, too.

• Information about each and every aircraft in the EAA museum

More Aviation Stories in the EAA Collection

The EAA Collection is as much about the aviators as it is about the history of flying machines. These are just a few of them.

• Ernest K. Gann Story. Gann was a commercial pilot, author, sailor, screen writer, and film maker. Nine of his novels were turned into motion pictures or adapted for television. There’s a whole exhibit of his collection of photographs and mementos. They’re stored in Gann’s original converted chicken coop/writing office!
• The Rutan Voyager story – first aircraft to fly around the world without stopping or refueling. The plane, built by Jeana Yeager and the second pilot, Dick Rutan, took 18-months to build. They were using lightweight graphite-honeycomb composite materials. The Rutan Voyager left December 14, 1986, from Edwards AFB in California. Then, it flew without stopping, or refueling, around the world. The record setting flight took almost exactly nine days to return back to Edwards AFB.

Additional Collection Artifacts

In addition to airplanes, the EAA Aviation Museum has many other artifacts. A number of them are military vehicles from World War II, such as a 1942 Army Staff Car.

Many are small memorabilia including things like:

• Wiley Post Winchester 21 commissioned as a “presentation” shotgun commemorating Wiley Post’s “Around the World” flight
• Stub B Helmet produced by the Mondi Manufacturing Company of Oshkosh
• Voyager 200 4 cylinder, 110 horsepower engine

Linda’s Road Trip Tips

We visited the EAA Aviation Museum by accident on a road trip through Wisconsin and Michigan. In fact, we were just cruising when we saw a sign for Oshkosh. Since we have a friend who often attends the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh fly-in, we knew it was a big airplane community. And, as I said to David, that likely meant there was a pretty good museum there too.

I checked the Web, found the museum address, and plugged it into the GPS.

What we found went well past “good” and well into fantastic!

After leaving, we made a quick stop off I-41 at the Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass in Neenah.

The necklace I purchased is still one of my favorite pieces.

And I just had to take a few minutes to see the working windmill in Little Chute.

We stopped for the night a hundred miles further east in Marinette, Wisconsin. The Budget Inn was small and a little on the pricey side for what it offered, but we slept well. Dinner was great pizza at The Brothers Three in Marinette.

Who Should Visit the EAA Aviation Museum?

The EAA Aviation museum is a must-see for anyone interested in the history of aviation. You’ll find a lot of “aviation firsts” and information about the people behind them.

With its many interactive exhibits it’s a great museum for families. From grandparents to kids, everyone will learn a lot about the history of flying in fun ways. We spent a couple of hours, but there’s lots to keep you busy for two or three times that.

Anyone interested in military aviation history will enjoy the Eagle Hangar. It includes Allied fighters, bombers, liason aircraft, trainers, Army and Navy aircraft, along with examples from German and Japan.

All areas of the museum are accessible for wheelchairs, using either ramps or elevators. There are also free wheelchairs and strollers for visitor use.

How Do You Visit the EAA Aviation Museum?

The EAA Aviation Museum has a community of dedicated aviators in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Street Address: 3000 Poberezny Road, Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

The EAA Aviation Museum is open year round. Check specific days and hours open on the EAA Museum website.

Keep up-to-date with what’s happening with the EAA – The Spirit of Aviation Facebook page.

See EAA videos on YouTube.

Plan your visit with Google maps.

Find More Museum Reviews for Wisconsin

Check out more reviews for museum attractions in Wisconsin on guide2museums.com.

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#airplanes #history #museums #richAndFamous #travel #US #Wisconsin #WWII

Art Gallery of Ontario: Art Museum in Toronto, Ontario

The Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto, Canada, provides an open, inviting space for visitors. That’s no surprise as it’s one of the largest art museums in North America. The museum has 480,000 sq ft of physical space to display art!

Linda’s Pick of the Exhibits

Art is in the eye of the beholder, however everyone has favorite styles and pieces. My favorite pieces in the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) were part of the Thomson Collection.

But let’s start with the Thomson Collection as a whole.

The collection was gifted to the Art Gallery of Ontario by Kenneth Thomson, 2nd Baron Thomson of Fleet. It consisted of about 2000 works valued at CA$300 million. Thomson also gave CA$50 million to the gallery for expansion and renovations, as well as CA$20 million for operations.

While there are many important pieces in the Thomson Collection, my favorite was the British ship models. The 3-D model collection is considered to be one of the finest of its kind.

When you think about it, without the 350 years of maritime history recreated here, North America would look very different! In my historical research, I often end up back at ships and experiences on the ocean.

I love today’s ocean cruises, but can’t imagine the weeks and months of living on these steamers!

Even the display cases are part of the “feel” of ocean travel. Designed by architect, Frank Gehry, the cases curve like the crest of a wave as they move across the wide open floor space.

What’s in the Art Gallery of Ontario?

The Art Gallery of Ontario has more than 120,000 works! The permanent collection includes historic and current artists.

These are the different galleries.

• Canadian art
• Indigenous art
• European art
• Modern art
• Contemporary art
• Arts of Global Africa & the Diaspora
• Photography
• Prints & Drawings
• The Thomson Collection
• Henry Moore Sculpture Centre

In addition, the Art Gallery also has a library and archives. It includes 380,000+ pieces. There are many rare books, catalogues, magazines, and more from the 17th century to now.

A dozen curators are in charge of the collection, each one working in the area of their expertise.

Various events open to the public are held in the art museum. They also have a number of educational programs to serve adults and young people.

Linda’s Favorite Artist

Tom Thomson is a name I remember well from my art history classes growing up in Canada. His work continues to influence Canadian art.

He used vibrant colors liberally, something I also like to do in my travel photography.

Thomson grew up in rural Ontario and enjoyed the outdoors. He took a lot of inspiration from his work. What did he do? Thomson worked as a fishing guide and forest ranger in Algonquin Provincial Park.

Thomson wasn’t one of the famous Canadian Group of Seven. Unfortunately, he drowned at the age of 39 in 1917, before the group was founded.

His work consists of around 400 oil sketches on small wood panels and about 50 canvas larger works. Most of his paintings are landscapes.

If you’d like to see more of Tom Thomson’s work and learn more about his life, here are some of my favorite sources.

VIDEO: Canadian video profile of Tom Thomson on YouTube.

VIDEO: Tom Thomson: A Collection of 179 Works on YouTube.

WEBSITE: Tom Thomson Life & Work by David P. Silcox.

ON AMAZON:

https://www.amazon.com/Treasury-Tom-Thomson-Joan-Murray/dp/1553658868?crid=17XSRXDI6INJU&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.115aXiFieuX_vbKGpo3SytvtcOWuVrzbe-I9maKC-iuWv660cpjg4y1zM6XUDzl6p0Y9K254RvEM7a4oEjR_pfNCF08hYFLAahHQF_wczqS_qXaMzU6MkRWPrHvydxT9m72DaZuBpoJS7iLrl77BSNVaBVUrYvATsY_XAwPWMIA_6aYaCk3PQTRV9q70aFJHnO8ETY6rqHswJoe1IziNahNU9I1gaGjObLyJ_UOnRbM.Fkr4ihoPHXSOTm-qgRlQ4p499c24Fxj23LbnT6qVW4Q&dib_tag=se&keywords=tom+thomson&qid=1734123055&s=books&sprefix=tom+thomson%2Cstripbooks-intl-ship%2C176&sr=1-3&linkCode=ll1&tag=snowmaga-20&linkId=576a2698d9bf32bae70119e792d11e66&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

Linda’s Road Trip Tips

I visit Toronto regularly, and rely on the subway rapid transit system to get around. It’s operated by the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC). On this visit, I took the subway to Toronto Union Station, then used the PATH to walk to the museum.

From the art museum, it’s only a five minute walk to the Toronto Eaton Centre. The Toronto Eaton Centre is a large shopping mall in downtown Toronto that links to the subway and the PATH.

As well as having the perfect location, the shopping is also great. There are 230 stores and restaurants!

But rather than a restaurant, I decided to hit the food court.

Their food court, Urban Eatery, is gigantic! It covers 45,000 sq ft and seats nearly a thousand people. Food selections are excellent — I had their signature Bourbon Chicken combo at the Bourbon St. Grill.

There are lots of museums to see in downtown Toronto, so I haven’t visited them all. Check out the reviews of those I’ve already enjoyed:

• Hockey Hall of Fame & Museum (sports)
• Casa Loma (98 room historic house museum)
• Toronto’s First Post Office Museum (specialty museum)
• Museum of Illusions Toronto (science museum)

Who Should Visit the Art Gallery of Ontario?

Art lovers of any age will find lots to inspire them at the Art Gallery of Ontario.

The museum is accessible to everyone with a wide variety of customer service policies.

The Art Gallery of Ontario has lots of programming and attractions for families.

They provide art making activities to help kids become more creative, as well as offering activities like courses, workshops, dance parties, and more.

There’s always something new at the Gallery, too. They have a continuous rotation of exhibitions.

How Do You Visit the AGO?

The Art Gallery of Ontario is situated in downtown Toronto, Ontario. It’s accessible by car, subway, bus, and the PATH indoor pedestrian walkway.

Street Address: 317 Dundas Street West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Check the days open, hours, and admission fees on the AGO website.

Keep up to date with the latest news on the AGO Facebook page.

Take a virtual walkthrough of the AGO with Visit Toronto on YouTube.

Plan your visit with Google maps.

Read More Ontario Museum Reviews

Check out all these museum reviews for the Canadian province of Ontario!

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• TD Gallery of Indigenous Art: Free Toronto Museum

• Maple Creek’s Intriguing Jasper Cultural & Historical Centre

• See 100 Miles Across Nebraska From Scotts Bluff National Monument

• Art Gallery of Ontario: Art Museum in Toronto, Ontario

• Fort Cody Trading Post: Miniature Wild West Show in North Platte, Nebraska

• Museum of Northern British Columbia: Indigenous Art & History in Prince Rupert, British Columbia

• The Enchanted Highway: Giant Metal Sculptures in North Dakota

#art #Canada #carvings #history #museums #Ontario #richAndFamous #Toronto #travel

Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum: Simi Valley, California

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum is situated in Simi Valley, halfway between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. It was opened November 4, 1991, by former President Reagan and four other living U.S. presidents.

Linda’s Pick of the Exhibits

The Cold War has always fascinated me. And Ronald Reagan was instrumental in taking down the Berlin Wall and bringing the Cold War to an end. So, I found the the exhibits linking to this aspect of his presidency most fascinating.

The lines below are Reagan’s speech listed on Time’s list of the top 10 greatest speeches. The speech has been considered one of the defining moments of Reagan’s presidency.

Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate!
Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!

~ Ronald Reagan, address at the Brandenburg Gate, June 12, 1987

While I listened to the speech on t.v. at the time, it became even more important to me later. The wall and its significance became more real after visiting Berlin, driving under the Brandenburg Gate, and seeing the wall.

During his presidency, Reagan met with Soviet Union leader, Mikhail S. Gorbachev at four summits. The summits were held in Geneva, Switzerland; Reykjavik, Iceland; Washington, D.C.; and Moscow, U.S.S.R. These two leaders signed two historic treaties, which are both on exhibit in the gallery.

President Reagan also envisioned a Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI). While it was never implemented, in part due to the fall of the Berlin Wall, it impacted future defense plans. Plans from the SDI helped put in place leading edge defense systems to protect against ballistic missile attacks.

What’s in the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum?

The Reagan Library & Museum overlook a breathtaking landscape in Southern California. The 100-acre grounds are home to replicas of the White House’s Rose Garden and White House South Lawn.

Dedicated in 1991, the original building was 150,000 square feet in total. Its one of just 13 presidential libraries. Its library holdings are enormous with over a million-and-a-half still photos and nearly 65 million pages!

In addition to the Library and Reagan Library Grounds, there are a number of other permanent exhibits. They include:

• President Ronald Reagan Memorial
• Oval Office decorated as it was during Reagan’s presidency
• Secret Service
• Gold Star Families Memorial Monument
• Berlin Wall
• Air Force One
• F-117 Nighthawk Stealth Fighter, F-14, M-1 Abrams Tank, and Marine One helicopter
• Ronald Reagan Hologram

Ronald Reagan, 40th president of the United States, brought one of the most colorful personal histories to the White House. Indeed, he acted in 50+ films over three decades!

As well as his Cold War achievements, the White House Historical Association also notes the following.

• The Reagan Revolution to reinvigorate the American people and reduce their reliance on Government.
• By the end of Reagan’s eight-year administration, the Nation was enjoying its longest recorded period of peacetime prosperity.

High Points of the Exhibits

Of course, the replica of the Oval Office in the White House stands out for everyone! Since I’ll never see the real one, it certainly did for me.

There was a second high point for me in the Reagan Library exhibits. That was getting my photo taken horseback riding with the president. Okay, so his image is just a wall mural, but I still love the photo!

Outdoors, I loved the statue of his favorite horse, El Alemein. El Alemein was an Anglo Arab gifted to him in 1980 by Mexican president, Lopez Portillo.

Even before becoming president, Reagan had a ranch in California. After becoming president, it was his vacation home, and was dubbed “The Western White House.”

Linda’s Road Trip Tips

Make sure to have coffee or a meal (I did lunch) at the Gipper’s Bar & Bistro on your visit. You can also check out the Ronald Reagan Pub. It’s an actual pub from Reagan’s ancestral home, Ballyporeen, Ireland. It was dismantled and shipped to California in 2004!

I stayed in Oxnard while visiting the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum. Only 25 miles away, Oxnard has the amazing Henry T. Oxnard Historic District for history lovers.

The district has 139 contributing buildings, mostly built before 1925. Few inappropriate changes have made in the area over time, so these two streets of home make an intact neighborhood.

The architecture of the area includes the following.

• 72 bungalows/craftsman
• 36 Mediterranean/Spanish Revival
• 13 Colonial Revival
• 5 Prairie School
• 8 Tudor Revival

Heritage Square is a pivotal part of the historic area. It consists of 15 restored structures and a Main Plaza and its gardens. Docents offer guided outdoor tours year-round starting at the Heritage Square Visitor Center at 715 South A Street.

Who Should Visit the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum?

The Ronald Reagan library has a wealth of information for academics and historical researchers.

The museum is interesting for anyone visiting the area. It captures a picture of politics during the Cold War and Reagan’s importance in bringing it to an end.

Exhibits from this period include everything from clothes worn by Nancy Reagan to saddles the couple used for horseback riding.

The Air Force One exhibit is fascinating for visitors of all ages. Indeed, you can go inside the plane that served seven presidents, including Reagan. He flew in it over 660,000 miles to 26 foreign countries and 46 U.S. states.

I spent about three hours at the museum, but could have been longer if I’d sat down in the library!

The museum and library are wheelchair accessible, with elevators where required. There’s even a wheelchair lift to allow visitors to access the entry of Air Force One. Working and service animals are allowed on site.

How to Visit the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum was situated in Simi Valley due to Reagan’s political history in the state. While Reagan was born in Tampico, Illinois, his first political posts were as Governor for California from 1967 to 1975.

Address: 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley, California, USA.

Check days open, hours, and admission costs on the Reagan Library website.

Keep up to date with what’s happening with the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation’s Museum Page on Facebook.

Take a virtual tour of the Reagan Presidential Library & Museum with KCAL News.

Plan your visit to the museum with Google maps.

Find More Museums to Visit in California

Check out all of guide2museum.com’s reviews of museums in California.

Discover More History Museums

• Inside the Cattle Raisers Museum: Fort Worth, Texas

• Plains of Abraham Museum & Battlefield Park: Quebec City

• Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto Review

• Amazing Giant Bison, Beaver, Mammoths & More: Yukon Beringia Museum in Whitehorse

• Royal Saskatchewan Museum & World’s Largest T-Rex Dinosaur

• Fick Fossil & History Museum: Buffalo Bill to Prehistoric Fish in Oakley, Kansas

• Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum: Simi Valley, California

• Morro Bay Maritime Museum: Morro Bay, California

• National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame: Cowgirl history in Fort Worth, Texas

• Bell Barn Museum: Historic Round Barn in Indian Head, Sskatchewan

• Naranjo Museum: Dinosaurs & Fossils in Lufkin, Texas

• Texas Seaport Museum: Gulf Coast History in Galveston, Texas

• Levine Museum of the New South: Charlotte, North Carolina

• Jefferson Historical Museum in Big Cypress Bayou: Jefferson, Texas

• Museum of the Fur Trade: Chadron, Nebraska

• Mystic Seaport Museum: Historic Seafaring Village in Mystic, Connecticut

• Range Riders Museum: Old West Lives Again in Miles City, Montana

Reference(s)

San Buenaventura Research Associates. (2005). Downtown Oxnard historic resources survey final report. https://vcrma.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/downtown-oxnard-historic-resoures-survey-final-report.pdf

#California #ColdWar #history #museums #richAndFamous #travel #US

Rip Van Winkle Gardens & Historic Mansion: Jefferson Island, Louisiana

The Rip Van Winkle Gardens at New Iberia, Louisiana, can’t help but capture the imaginations of visitors. Indeed, area stories date back to the late 1700s when the area was founded by French, Spanish, and Acadian settlers.

Jefferson Island, home of the Rip Van Winkle Gardens, is located in the Bayou Teche Corridor. The island is named for the internationally recognized actor, Joseph Jefferson, who purchased it as a hunting and fishing preserve in 1869. And the Rip Van Winkle Gardens are named for the character he played on stage over 4500 times!

Linda’s Pick at This Historic Site

I have to confess, first thing, that I’m a big fan of disaster movies. Any kind of disaster movie. So, it’s a given that the story of the Lake Peigneur disaster would grab my interest. Jefferson Island is located adjacent to Lake Peigneur.

Joseph Jefferson built a home on the island that he used when not traveling the world playing Rip Van Winkle. After Jefferson died in 1905, the property was sold. John Lyle Bayless, Jr. developed the gardens in the late 1950s, building a 1/2 acre conservatory under glass. It must have been amazing!

But on to the disaster.

November 20, 1980, started out like any other day. Fifty miners were at work below ground in a salt mine. Locals were out on the lake, fishing. A massive oil rig was conducting an exploratory drilling operation.

Then, the drilling operation went drastically wrong.

Instead of hitting oil, the Texaco company’s 14-inch drill bit hit a salt dome. Alarms sounded. Miners ran for the 1300 ft elevator to the surface.

The oil rig shook. Drillers abandoned it and ran for safety.

As the salt dome disappeared, a whirlpool formed that sucked everything around it into a sinkhole.

Water from the Gulf of Mexico rushed in after them.

In a mere 40 hours, the shallow freshwater pond turned into a deep salt water lake! All that remained of the new home Bayless had built was a chimney protruding from the water.

You can read a short first-hand account of the disaster on KLFY.com, Acadiana’s local news leader.

Watch a YouTube Video with current and historic photos, along with detailed explanations of the disaster.

What’s at the Rip Van Winkle Gardens & Historic Mansion?

The Rip Van Winkle Gardens and historic mansion were restored to their current state by Mike Richard. He purchased the property and began work on it in 2003, opening it up for garden and house tours. He also added a restaurant, three cottages for overnight stays, and a rookery.

Even the trees have history here! Indeed, President Grover Cleveland visited in 1892, and spent time relaxing under the giant oaks. As a result, one was named the Grover Cleveland Oak. Today, it has a girth of 24 feet, 8 inches, and is marked with a plaque.

There are 15 acres of semi-tropical gardens for guests to enjoy. The lush growth is simply amazing. While the annuals, magnolias, camellias, and oaks are indigenous to the area, parts of the gardens are of Asian origin.

While walking through the gardens, I felt like I’d just entered the story of Gulliver in Land of the Giants. Indeed, there were bamboo plants adapted to Louisiana’s climate up to 40 feet tall! The Tropical Blue Bamboo even had canes up to 3.5 inches in diameter.

With its variety of flora and fauna, it’s a given that Rip’s Rookery on the grounds is great for bird watching. In fact, Jefferson Island is home to 260+ species of birds. The most popular? The Spoonbill Roseate.

About the Mansion

The Joseph Jefferson home is a twenty-two room Southern mansion built in 1870. Just one and one-half stories high, it has a belvedere (roofed but open on one or more sides) on the roof and verandas on three sides.

The interior features a central 12 foot main floor wide hall leading to the dining room at the rear. See historical photos of the house here.

However, it may be the supernatural aspects of the house that fascinate many visitors!

Linda’s Road Trip Tips

When you’re visiting the Rip Van Winkle Gardens, do take time to stop at Cafe Jefferson on the grounds. While they specialize in seafood, there’s something on the Cafe Jefferson menu for everyone.

If it’s afternoon coffee time, grab one of the decadent desserts. You can’t beat their bourbon pecan pie!

On our visit of the area, we also spent several hours at Avery Island, eleven miles away. This island is home to the Tabasco hot sauce popular around the world. We took the factory tour and short tour of the TABASCO Museum, along with checking out the 170-acre Jungle Gardens.

And if you’d like to sample local music and dancing at the same time as eating your breakfast (really!), check out Buck & Johnny’s in Breaux Bridge.

Every Saturday morning they offer a Zydeco breakfast with lots of 2-step dancing. It’s really an awesome opportunity to soak up local culture and just 35 miles from Avery Island.

Who Should Visit Rip Van Winkle Gardens?

Rip Van Winkle Gardens are a great stop if you’re looking for Cajun experiences in Louisiana. Iberia Parish, where it’s located, is part of the Lafayette metropolitan area. The Acadiana region of this area is the largest population and economic corridor between Houston, TX, and New Orleans, LA.

And of course, for those who love the lush foliage of the deep south, the gardens have lots to offer.

For families, there’s lots of rooms for the kids to get out and enjoy nature.

As well as gardens, there’s also the historic Jefferson home.

The house is intriguing for those interested in architecture.

While it has common elements with plantation homes, it’s designed in the Moorish Revival and Gothic Revival architectural styles.

We spent a couple of hours on our visit.

How Do You Visit Rip Van Winkle Gardens?

The Rip Van Winkle Gardens and historic Jefferson Mansion are situated in New Iberia on Jefferson Island. It’s situated on US90.

Address: 5505 Rip Van Winkle Road, New Iberia, Louisiana, USA.

The Rip Van Winkle Gardens & Historic Mansion are open year-round, seven days a week, except for a few statutory holidays.

Check the Rip Van Winkle Gardens website for hours and admission costs.

Check out the Rip Van Winkle Gardens Facebook page for the latest news on what’s happening.

Watch a YouTube video from Rip Van Winkle Gardens.

Plan your visit using Google maps.

More Things to Do in Louisiana

Check out all of guide2museum.com’s reviews of museums in Louisiana.

Read More Historic Home Museums Reviews

• Historic Home of 1800s Governor in Lafayette, LA: Alexandre Mouton

• Adams Museum in Deadwood: Where Legends are Larger Than Life

• Bishop’s Palace in Galveston, Texas: Victorian Era Castle

• Rip Van Winkle Gardens & Historic Mansion: Jefferson Island, Louisiana

• The Sheriff’s House Museum & Historic Site: A Hidden Gem in Devils Lake, North Dakota

• Campbell House Museum – 1820s Toronto, Ontario

• Hearst Castle: National Historic Landmark in San Simeon, California

• Oak Alley Plantation: Grand Dame of Louisiana’s River Road

• Evergreen Plantation: National Landmark Site in Edgard, Louisiana

• Casa Loma: Historic 98 Room House Museum in Toronto, Ontario

Reference(s)

United States Department of the Interior National Park Service. (June 4, 1973). National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination form for Rip Van Winkle House and Gardens. https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/3108ecac-93ad-47df-9018-be1516f04ef2

Zeller, M.E. (May 23, 2011). Rip Van Winkle Gardens. Here4Now. https://here4now.typepad.com/here4now/louisiana-history/page/2/

#history #lifestyles #Louisiana #museums #richAndFamous #travel #US

Butch Cassidy Bank Robbery Museum: Montpelier, Idaho

Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch galloped through the American West in the late 1800s. They pulled train and bank robberies from Idaho to Colorado, Utah to New Mexico, and Nevada to Montana.

Cassidy began his long run of successful robberies at the Montpelier, Idaho Bank. Today, that bank is the location of the Butch Cassidy Museum attraction.

Linda’s Pick of the Exhibits

When it comes to the old west, I’m a fan. End of story. So, when I learned about the Butch Cassidy Bank Robbery Museum on our drive through Idaho, I had to stop!

The historical documentation and photos that covered the walls were my favorite part of this museum. As a researcher, I’m always keen to read primary source materials. And I’d already read a lot about Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid while writing my outlaw books.

Several of the Wild Bunch outlaws, including the Sundance Kid, were part of the plots in my novels. My nonfiction book, Station No. 1 on the Outlaw Trail, covers the outlaw trail they rode that ran from Mexico to Saskatchewan.

I loved doing the research for these outlaw books as it took me to Saskatchewan’s Big Muddy many times. The full and half day tours out of Coronach all included stops at the cave hideout.

Caves in Saskatchewan, you ask? Yes, the badlands have caves.

The Big Muddy is made up of badlands, which were a great place for outlaws to skip across the U.S. border to hide in. When pursued in Canada, they just slipped over the border to the U.S. side to avoid capture.

The Books

https://www.amazon.com/Station-No-Outlaw-Trail-Outlaws-ebook/dp/B08G6J9V7W?crid=2BBXO1C8NKEG1&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.0nYsNvmHqo_4yH4O0YFeVYOvejYDNqvO6ErHiMOymvHRz9eWy5s7vuMwOwW6HtJEOZoXWdMyeFltInfPQrXfjplCMC0wjQboDUs7JFESiXOHNE2MvBbX8C-eMOxieEyGUzeyIC18Jyg0kz4z2eFfNGgrZVldQlvfnYfqwlqiXBky5K1ZJbxM2ecmkY8i5OCpXcwydPrmAj2ba5lwyKxf47JdZ_NcHe6Dx7KxlIu_dqE.LbCrMynVzFcf-dn_3If2K4KxfF1gVVuYI8ejXazXv2k&dib_tag=se&keywords=station+no.+1&qid=1727456050&sprefix=station+no.+1%2Caps%2C159&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=snowmaga-20&linkId=31e60537bb28e3cb30027c8764d4e607&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

https://www.amazon.com/Badlands-Outlaws-Old-West-Book-ebook/dp/B00NKUSVHQ?crid=1NM7QCS746YZZ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.yf2VGwe6tBa1HZ3xkAKJ-UPbH2Bagii_85NPbzHI84otYyVTayGqqj1ethj0rxXrFNTQvLNIIYjAnLMgqjHLJW-qXM4b8kQdIE5884dDlaS29MyfW7sTRf16LRSRK9qP2F8EzWipi_DoQx0b1msf0Y55_kuQijf9fTugMMIoZL7RWCOVrS7QLo-VYh6KK-g433EKLl5rVGtraWjj4gr0d74vHgKReFi8s5FoPgjHYdk.vbvoFzk6Px9l9yQCq1egOk08P0rZONC8er3ncmULHSM&dib_tag=se&keywords=linda+aksomitis&qid=1727456359&sprefix=linda+aksomitis%2Caps%2C174&sr=8-2&linkCode=ll1&tag=snowmaga-20&linkId=5330e03368de8d9a3b01adb90cf3a3fa&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

https://www.amazon.com/Kidnapped-Outlaws-Old-West-Book-ebook/dp/B00OADBFKW?crid=1NM7QCS746YZZ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.yf2VGwe6tBa1HZ3xkAKJ-UPbH2Bagii_85NPbzHI84otYyVTayGqqj1ethj0rxXrFNTQvLNIIYjAnLMgqjHLJW-qXM4b8kQdIE5884dDlaS29MyfW7sTRf16LRSRK9qP2F8EzWipi_DoQx0b1msf0Y55_kuQijf9fTugMMIoZL7RWCOVrS7QLo-VYh6KK-g433EKLl5rVGtraWjj4gr0d74vHgKReFi8s5FoPgjHYdk.vbvoFzk6Px9l9yQCq1egOk08P0rZONC8er3ncmULHSM&dib_tag=se&keywords=linda+aksomitis&qid=1727456387&sprefix=linda+aksomitis%2Caps%2C174&sr=8-5&linkCode=ll1&tag=snowmaga-20&linkId=b05d614c42e5cb385fd19373f0f0a5aa&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

What’s in the Butch Cassidy Museum?

The Butch Cassidy Museum’s claim to fame is that it’s in the original old west bank building robbed in 1896.

When you visit the museum, you walk on the same hardwood floor that Butch did when he held it up.

You can also see the steel bars in front of the bank tellers’ cages.

According to Biography.com, Butch Cassidy had the longest stretch of successful train and bank robberies in American history. Cassidy, along with members of his gang, the Wild Bunch, made headlines across the country. However, they always managed to elude their would-be captors: sheriffs, deputies, and the Pinkerton detectives.

Butch Cassidy committed many types of crimes, starting with the pair of overalls he stole as a 13-year-old. The story goes that, in need of clothes, he rode into town after a day’s ranch work. However, the Utah store was closed. So, he broke in and left a sheet of paper with his name and an IOU note. The owner had him arrested anyway.

Butch Cassidy is credited with five bank robberies according to the museum’s research:

• June 34, 1889 – San Miguel Valley Bank in Telluride, Colorado (approx. $21,000)
• August 13, 1896 – The Bank of Montpelier in Montpelier, Idaho ($7,142)
• September 19, 1900 – First National Bank in Winnemucca, Nevada ($32,640)
• February 14, 1905 – Banco de Tarapaca, Rio Gallegos, Argentina (approx. $20,000)
• December 19, 1905 – Banco de la Nacion, Villa Mercedes, Argentina (approx. $14,000 pesos)

Story of the Day Butch Cassidy Robbed the Montpelier Bank

On August 13, 1896, Cassidy and his outlaw gang stopped at the hitching rail across the street. It was just minutes before the bank’s closing time.

An outlaw pointed a gun at the pay teller, A. N. Mackintosh. Mackintosh leaned up against the wall while Cassidy scooped money up into a gunny sack.

Cassidy ended up with around $7000 before calmly walking out the door.

Bob Meeks held the horses across the street.

According to some accounts, a little boy noticed the commotion and ran into the Barber Shop.

The boy yelled, “Robbery! Robbers! Somebody is robbing the bank!”

That didn’t stop Cassidy. He rode off into the not-yet-sunset on his horse.

Bub Meeks was the only one caught shortly after the crime.

Linda’s Road Trip Tips

A lot of this trip through Idaho we went south down I-29. We found two great museums: The Museum of Clean and The Potato Museum before taking Hwy 20 into Montpelier.

The museum is also a good stop on your way to Yellowstone National Park if you’re heading north.

While you’re in Montpelier, you can stretch your legs on a walking tour.

The Montpelier history tour connects you to the city’s history with Brigham Young and the Mormon settlers. Although we didn’t have time to stop, there’s also a Rails and Trails Museum in Montpelier.

If you’re looking for a cold one and some lunch, check out the Butch Cassidy Saloon. It’s two blocks east of the museum and was created by Radek Konarik, who also established the museum.

Who Should Visit the Butch Cassidy Bank Robbery Museum?

The Butch Cassidy Bank Robbery Museum is a fun stop for anyone traveling through the area. And even more fun if you’re a fan of old west stories.

Cassidy is a big part of western outlaw stories, so most people will be familiar with his name and activities.

It only took us about half an hour to go through the museum. However, if you want to read more of the materials (I was already familiar with many), it will take longer.

How Do You Visit the Montpelier Butch Cassidy Museum?

The Butch Cassidy Bank Robbery Museum is located in the original Montpelier Bank robbed in 1896 in Montpelier, Idaho.

Street Address:  833 Washington St, Montpelier, Idaho.

The museum is open seasonally, from May through September. Check the website for specific days and hours.

Keep up-to-date with what’s happening with the Butch Cassidy Museum / Bank of Montpelier Facebook page.

Take a virtual tour of the Butch Cassidy Museum on YouTube.

Plan your visit to the Butch Cassidy Museum with Google maps.

Read More Museum Reviews for Idaho

Check out more reviews for museum attractions in Idaho on guide2museums.com.

Check Out More Specialty Museums

• Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum: Waco, Texas

• MOPOP in Seattle: Unparalled Look at Pop Culture

• Astonishing Evolution of Shoes: Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto

• Toronto Police Museum & Discovery Centre: Two Centuries of Law Enforcement History

• Missouri State Penitentiary Museum: Jefferson City, Missouri

• Butch Cassidy Bank Robbery Museum: Montpelier, Idaho

• Frontier Prison Museum: Rawlins, Wyoming

• Toronto’s First Post Office Museum & National Historic Site: Ontario

• Gone With the Wind Museum: Memorabilia in Jefferson, Texas

#history #Idaho #museums #oldWest #outlaws #richAndFamous #travel #US

I just reviewed Can’t Buy Me Love by Georgia Beers! Check it out!

womenusingwords.wordpress.com/2024/09/02/c...

#friendship #wlw #icequeenboss #Hollywood #richandfamous #media #bodyguards #island #paradise #exgirlfriends #love, #instaconnection #romance #fallinginlove @georgiabeers @thebellabooks