Museum Guide News

The Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association main mission is to conserve birds of prey worldwide by providing leadership in raptor conservation science and education, and by maintaining Hawk Mountain Sanctuary as a model observation, research and education facility. Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, the world’s first refuge for birds of prey, was founded in response to the mass killing of hawks in the early 20th century. In the 1930s, conservationist Richard Pough documented the shooting of migrating hawks on a Pennsylvania mountain, capturing images that caught the attention of activist Rosalie Edge. In 1934, Edge leased the land, hired wardens Maurice and Irma Broun to guard the trails and lookout, and opened it to the public. She later purchased the property and established Hawk Mountain Sanctuary as a nonprofit in 1938, effectively ending the slaughter and creating a safe haven for raptors. While stationed at the lookout, Maurice began tallying the raptors that migrated past the lookout, starting the first official hawk count in the world. Today, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary has since grown to 2,600 acres, with over 60,000 visitors per year and more than 9,000 members that keep the Sanctuary’s mission alive. On- and off-site, HMS helps to educate through lectures, workshops, programs and events, while also offering access to its 8+ miles of hiking trails for firsthand learning and observation. For over 90 years, visitors have been able to immerse themselves and experience raptors in this native habitat. Hawk Mountain uses a local-to-global approach in conservation, seeking to educate the public and conserve raptors in the immediate area as well as across the country and the world. Through its extensive trainee programs, educators and conservationists learn from qualified, dedicated scientists and educators the best methods for research and outreach. By taking on these trainees, the Sanctuary has already helped further conservation programs in Africa, Central and South America, the Arctic, and more. In places like Batumi in the Republic of Georgia, our traineeship graduates have helped establish locations with a similar origin story to ours exchange damaging raptor hunting for eco-tourism. Our mission soars forward thanks to generous support via visit, membership, or donation, and Hawk Mountain can continue to be a leader in the global wildlife conservation movement. Come and visit us online and learn more about all we are and have to offer!  https://www.hawkmountain.org/      

Come learn about the “Big Brutus”! The largest electric shovel in the world — it’s a testament to the hard work and determination of the American mining industry. Big Brutus Museum offers visitors a unique insight into the history of mining and the fascinating technology behind it. Constructed in 1962 by the Bucyrus Erie company for the Pittsburg & Midway Coal Mining Company, Big Brutus served as a testament to human ingenuity and hard work. This colossal machine operated for over a decade, dramatically increasing the efficiency of coal mining in the region before retiring in 1974. However, its retirement marked a new beginning. In 1985, it was dedicated as a museum and memorial, signifying its enduring legacy. In September 1987, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) designated Big Brutus a Regional Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark, the tenth such designation since 1971. Adding to its accolades, Big Brutus was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2018, further cementing its significance in American industrial history. Big Brutus, in West Mineral, Kansas stands 16 stories tall and weighs 11 million pounds, was a marvel of its time. It represented the peak of mining technology during its era. Big Brutus revolutionized the efficiency and scale of coal mining. Its maximum speed of .22 MPH and cost of $6.5 million in 1962 reflected the enormous investment in industrial machinery that defined the mid-20th century. However, there’s more to Big Brutus than cold steel and long shadows falling across the Mined Land Wildlife Area. The true value of this machine lies in its representation of an era of hard work, determination, and progress. Camping is also available at Big Brutus, call for reservations, 620-827-6177 for more information. We offer primitive camping and space for self-contained RV’s, as well as ten water/electrical hook-ups and a dump station.  Come visit our rustic museum and gift shop in West Mineral, KS. It is the perfect place to learn about the history and engineering of the Big Brutus mining shovel and take home a souvenir to remember your visit. Our facilities include comfort facilities with hot showers, picnic tables, and a shelter for gatherings of all kinds. We look forward to welcoming soon!  https://bigbrutus.org/

The Pioneer Auto Show is the foremost family-friendly roadside attraction located off of I-90 and US-83 in Murdo, South Dakota. We are open 11 months out of the year, our unbeatable admission prices that allow you to explore our immense collection of antique cars, rare collectibles, precious antiques, tractors, motorcycles, and more. Come experience the most famous car museum in South Dakota! The Pioneer Auto Show was started in 1954 by AJ ‘Dick’ Geisler and his family. Since then, the Museum and Dick have been a single thought in the minds of the thousands of antique and classic car enthusiasts who have visited, and met the man with the ever-present cigar. Amassed over nearly 70 years, Pioneer Auto Show boasts the largest collection of classic cars in South Dakota in our antique car museum. From one-of-a-kind-rarities to familiar classic vehicles like the General Lee from the 60’s classic “Dukes of Hazzard,” (the last in existence). Pioneer Auto Show attracts visitors far and wide to peruse our spectacular display of automotive history, with rare cars on display from as long ago as 1903! Included with the admission is our self-guided Car Collection Tours offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience bursting at the seams with rich automotive history. No matter if you’re an automotive enthusiast or simply enjoy taking a step back in time, Pioneer Auto Show’s immense collection of rare, vintage and unique cars will make your jaw drop. Roam dozens of buildings filled with automotive relics from day's past in exceptional condition and see why Pioneer Auto Show is one of the most popular antique car museums in the world. Today, we’re one of the most famous antique car museums in the United States and a top destination for families looking for the best things to see in South Dakota. Come visit us this summer with the entire family!! You won’t be dissapointed! https://www.pioneerautoshow.com/  

The Lemhi County Historical Society and Museum located in Salmon, Idaho is the go-to place for education on the history of Lemhi County. The museum is known as “A River of History Connecting Past, Present, and Future” Lemhi County Historical Society was originally founded in the early 20th century to document the lives of early Lemhi County settlers. The Society was inactive between 1928 and 1956, at which point it reformed and began to grow its collection of artifacts. In 1963, the Lemhi County Museum was opened to display the series of items that had been collected over the course of decades. The museum to this day, contains a variety of historical exhibits centering around Salmon City and Lemhi County and is open year-round. The Lemhi County Historical Museum houses the largest extant collection of Lemhi Shoshone (Agai Dika) artifacts.  Clothing, beadwork, arrowheads, ceremonial accessories, and an extensive photograph collection detail the traditional lives of Sacajawea’s people.  The Museum also features the area’s history in mining ranching and logging. The museum is expanding and is opening an additional building for the river of history and research center. Our Summer Hours: (Memorial Day through September 30th) - Monday through Saturday from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM Winter Hours - Wednesday and Thursday from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Please see our website for more information and plan a visit soon - https://lemhicountymuseum.org/

The Virginia Holocaust Museum, established in 1997, is dedicated to preserving the history of the Holocaust. Our museum honors the victims, celebrate the survivors, and strive to educate all our visitors about the dangers of prejudice and complacency to prevent such atrocities from happening again. We are proud to house and offer, the Dimensions in Testimony, https://www.vaholocaust.org/dimensions-in-testimony/ which features four Holocaust survivors and one US Liberator with whom visitors can interact, ask questions, and hear their stories about topics like life before the war, hiding, experiences in concentration camps, life after the war, forgiveness, family, and more. The Dimension in Testimony is a collection from USC Shoah Foundation that enable people to have conversations with pre-recorded video images of Holocaust survivors and other witnesses to genocide - here is a link to featured survivors: https://www.vaholocaust.org/bios/ An initiative by USC Shoah Foundation to record and display testimony in a way that will preserve the dialogue between Holocaust Survivors and learners far into the future. Collaborating within the project are Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, with technology by USC Institute for Creative Technologies, and concept by Conscience Display. Funding for Dimensions in Testimony℠ was provided in part by Pears Foundation, Louis. F. Smith, Melinda Goldrich and Andrea Clayton/Goldrich Family Foundation in honor of Jona Goldrich, and Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center. Other partners include CANDLES Holocaust Museum and Education Center. We welcome you to not only explore the Virginia Holocaust Museums various exhibits, but we especially look forward to showing you our Dimensions in Testimony collection - a must see!  https://www.vaholocaust.org/

The Western Railway Museum, in Suisun, CA preserves the heritage of the Northern California electric railroad.  We have over 50 historic cars on display, offer 50-minute scenic train rides and 22 acres to explore, the Western Railway Museum is ideal for families and group outings. The Museum features historic railway exhibits, vintage streetcar and interurban train rides, large shaded picnic grounds, a Museum Store, library archives, and Depot Cafe. Our 50-minute Interurban train rides will take you down the old Sacramento Northern Railroad, an electric line that once ran between San Francisco, Sacramento & Chico. The 11-mile round trip rolls through the Solano County countryside, with its pristine, unchanged farmland and its views of Mount Diablo and the surrounding Marshlands. Our operating fleet consists of trains dating anywhere from 80 to 110 years old.  Trains operate every weekend.  Walking around the Museum, you will be able to see trains that once ran in San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento, Napa, Petaluma, Santa Rosa, and many other places across the west. The Museum has several Carhouse buildings where trains are on display. A must see is our open air Carhouse 1, it houses historic streetcars from the local area, Many cars displayed in this building are nearing 100 years old. Our Carhouse 3 is our prized storage building, this indoor display building houses the pride of our collection.  On select days in the summer, the Museum is open for walking tours only. Guided tours of the Carhouses will be available at select times between 10:30am and 3:30pm. Guided tours of Carhouse 3 may be available upon request or by reservation. Make us a part of your visit to Solano County! The Museum is located about 1 hour from San Francisco or Sacramento and only 35 minutes from the Napa Valley. In the local area we have local attractions such as the Jelly Belly Factory and Six Flags Discovery Kingdom for you and your family to visit, as well as areas to hike, bike, gourmet dining and wine tasting in the Suisun Valley All tickets for the 2025 season can be booked in advance or by calling our front desk at (707) 374-2978. Trains leave on time, so please plan to arrive about 30 minutes before your departure. Visit us online for more information: https://www.wrm.org/  

In BLUE MOUNTAIN LAKE, NY… The Adirondack Experience engages visitors with interactive exhibits, family-friendly activities, and an amazing collection of artwork and historical objects. Here they bridge the past and present, fostering the curious side in everyone. Explore the only spot in the Adirondack Park where you can row an authentic guideboat, break up a log jam, and activate a mine shaft, all in the same action-packed day. The ADKX has a number of signature exhibitions that explore the history, culture, and people of the Adirondack region. Life in the Adirondacks is the largest exhibition featuring over 300 artifacts and features a fully immersive experience of the Adirondack Park and its people. Other signature exhibits include: the newly opened immersive art exhibit, Artists & Inspiration in the Wild, featuring several galleries that illustrate how the natural features of the Adirondacks have sparked the creative vision of many artists; Woods & Waters, exploring outdoor recreation in the Adirondacks; Boats & Boating featuring a large collection of authentic Adirondack water craft; and Work in the Woods, exploring the history and tradition of logging in the Adirondacks! Don’t miss their two special exhibits Trail Makers: 100 Years of the Northville-Placid Trail, and Natural Beauty: The Art of Rustic Furniture. With over 20 historical and contemporary buildings on 121 acres overlooking Blue Mountain Lake, the open-air campus offers plenty to see and do for everyone. From the Minnow Pond Trail and Boathouse, where visitors can take out various styles of Adirondack boats on the water, to fish feeding and activities for the whole family, visitors always find something fun to do at the ADKX! The Adirondack Experience is open from Friday, May 23, 2025 – Monday, October 13, 2025 - 10am – 5pm | Open 7 days a week, including holidays. The ADKX Research Library is open year round by appointment only. Make it a point to visit ADKX this year for an unforgettable experience of the Adirondacks in Blue Mountain Lake, NY! For additional information, call 518-352-7311 or visit https://www.theadkx.org/visit/ Save the date! Veterans Appreciation Day at the ADKX: June 28th more details to come soon at https://www.theadkx.org/visit/

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/

The Veterans’ Museum in Halls, TN continues to improve exhibits to enhance the visitors’ comprehension of the importance of Dyersburg Army Air Base (DAAB) during WWII. A diorama, sponsored by Warren Nunn of Halls, vividly depicts the base proper with buildings, layouts, and the three runway locations.  This diorama helps locate where it was located in relation to the highways as they are today.  In 1942, the four-lane Highway 51 did not exist. A monument dedicated to the 115 crewmen who were killed in air crashes while stationed at DAAB is now located in the Memorial Garden at the Museum site.  The monument was sponsored by Sterling Forsythe, formerly of Ripley. We will honor all of our fallen veterans at our Memorial Day Ceremony on Thursday, May 22, at 2:00 p.m.  By laying a wreath in front of the monument, we express our profound appreciation for all who have given their lives for our country. The Museum is open Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.  For information about the Museum and events, call 731-836-7400. Here are some upcoming events: Annual Spring Luncheon, Wednesday, April 16, at noon Memorial Day Ceremony, Thursday, May 22, at 2:00 p.m. Four Person Golf Tournament, Friday, June 6, at 1:00 p.m. with registration at noon Flag Day Celebration, Saturday, June 14, at 2:00 p.m. We look forward to seeing you and hope you'll plan a visit soon! Check us out online for more information: https://www.dyaab.us/

Ghost Ranch, an Education & Retreat Center, is nestled amidst the breathtaking red and yellow cliffs of the Piedra Lumbre, and is where vibrant colors dance to life, and the intersection of history and spirituality is discovered. From captivating archaeological sites to invigorating outdoor activities like hiking and horseback riding, Ghost Ranch provides a sanctuary for exploration, rejuvenation, and the nurturing of one’s inner self. With a diverse and storied past, which encompasses the majestic era of dinosaurs and the artistic presence of icons like Georgia O’Keeffe, Ghost Ranch warmly welcomes individuals from all corners of the world who seek inspiration, connection, and a profound sense of wonder within its transformative embrace. At Ghost Ranch, we delve into the world of Georgia O’Keeffe, the visionary artist who found solace and inspiration in this captivating landscape of New Mexico. With its vivid landscapes and iconic landmarks, Ghost Ranch provided O’Keeffe with the freedom to paint what she saw and felt. Ghost Ranch is host to two museums, the Ruth Hall Museum of Paleontology and the Florence Hawley Ellis Museum of Anthropology, in addition to the Ghost Ranch Library. The Museums of Ghost Ranch are dedicated to advancing research, education and public engagement in Anthropology, Archaeology and Paleontology. Our Ghost Ranch Library is always open. Come explore the past and ponder the future with us. Did you know you can take a new tour – Ghost Ranch Museums and Landscape Tour – that combines Georgia O’Keeffe, dinosaurs, and Native American arts and culture? The Ranch also has a variety of accommodations from guest rooms, suites to camping! We also offer daily meals for purchase! So, come and embark on a transformative journey through the remarkable tapestry of Ghost Ranch’s past and unlock your own creative potential amidst the awe-inspiring 21,000 acres of this Education & Retreat Center. Check us out line today! https://www.ghostranch.org/