North America Museums and Culture

    American Museum of Natural History, United States

  Central Park West at 79th Street - New York, NY             
The Museum boasts habitat groups of African, Asian and North American mammals, the full-size model of a Blue Whale suspended in the Milstein Family Hall of Ocean Life (reopened in 2003), the 62-foot Haida carved and painted war canoe from the Pacific Northwest, and the "Star of India", the largest blue sapphire in the world. The circuit of an entire floor is devoted to vertebrate evolution, including the world-famous dinosaurs.
The Museum's anthropological collections are also outstanding: Halls of Asian Peoples and of Pacific Peoples, of Man in Africa, Native Americans in the United States collections, general Native American collections, and collections from Mexico and Central America.
The Hayden Planetarium, connected to the museum, is now part of the Rose Center for Earth and Space, housed in a glass cube containing the spherical Space Theater, designed by James Stewart Polshek. The Center was opened February 19, 2000. Source
    Insectropolis Bug Museum, United States
  1761 Route 9 - Toms River, NJ           
Insectropolis is a fun and unique insect learning center that dazzles visitors of all ages. There is plenty to see and do here! Set within the architecture of a bug-themed city, our creative displays entertain guests as they learn about these fascinating creatures.
    Tuckerton Seaport & Baymen's Museum, United States
  120 West Main Street - Tuckerton, NJ           
Tuckerton Seaport is a multifaceted site for entertainment, education, and maritime experience. Throughout your time visiting with us, you will see and have the opportunity to explore many unique things. Please note that the Seaport is now a participant in the Blue Star Museums Program which gives free admission to Active Military Service personnel and 4 members of their family.
Tuckerton Seaport, mission is to preserve, present and interpret the rich maritime history, artistry, heritage and environment of the Jersey shore and the unique contributions of its baymen.
    Ellis Island Immigration Museum, United States
  Ellis Island - New York, NY             
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From Battery Park, you can take the ferry across to the famous Ellis Island Immigration Museum. You will be astounded by the wealth of information they have. Make sure you check out the American Family Immigration History Center where you can access passenger records. A great sense of pride comes with finding out about your family’s history by accessing this great interactive exhibit. The museum is also currently featuring a special exhibit in the west wing “The Spirit of America” Gibson Les Paul guitar is up on display. Made of artifacts preserved during the centennial restoration of the island, this exhibit is an amazing mixture of art, culture and beauty. Wood grain details from the preserved steps and doors of the main building really catch the eye, while the copper inlay is composed of copper preserved from the Statue of Liberty National Monument. While the creators seem to use the universal language of music to send a message of freedom and convey a great sense of pride for the land we call America. Visit often during the year to experience some of the most intriguing New York museums and culture. You may find you can spend a whole day lost in history at this one of-a-kind museum.
    South Street Seaport Museum, United States
  207 Front Street - New York, NY            
Gazing down the skyline, you might just find yourself lost in the distracting beauty of the breathtaking views. Ships sailing by, the sounds of waves churning off the schooners, this New York City museum takes you back to the time when trade and travel was all done by sea. Located in this vast historical district, a treasure trove of maritime history, lies some of the oldest buildings in Manhattan boasting renovations to mercantile buildings, ships and even the former Fulton Fish Market. Nearby you will also find a few modern tourist malls, although you might not want to venture too far as there are many things at this Manhattan museum that spark the curiosity of many a passerby. Located within the South Street Seaport Museum you will find a working 19th Century print shop, a craft center where wood carvers and model builders demonstrate their skills, much to the delight of visitors. Some might say the most impressive thing here is the privately owned fleet of historic ships, the largest such fleet in the United States. Similarly on display is an outstanding collection of model ships. Come and support maritime history and enjoy some of the many beautiful buildings, great food and street performers. A new experience bound to leave you longing to come back.
    Morgan Library & Museum, United States
  225 Madison Avenue - New York, NY            
A major exhibition venue for fine art, literature and music, this edifice of Manhattan’s museums and culture is also one of New York's great historical sites. A good place to shop, dine and immerse yourself in an abundance of programs for all age groups, Spring 2012 offers a celebration of the exhibition “In the Company of Animals”. The Morgan invites children ages 6–12 and their families for a day filled with music, dance, art, and... animals. Come one, come all and spend the entire day enthralled in all that is offered at this fun destination. The bright colors and variety of literature will keep the interest of even the most easily distracted. Embrace your inner intellectual, allow yourself to be drawn in and find something that peaks your curiosity. A definite must for summer vacations, minutes from Empire State Building, Bryant Park and the International Center of Photography, you will leave with a wealth of knowledge that will stay fresh in your mind for years to come. Just over 2 miles from the Guggenheim, New York City is rich in art, culture and good food. Stop by and grab yourself a bowl of famous Manhattan Clam Chowder or a delicious hot dog from Nathan’s in true New York style!
    Seashore Trolley Museum, United States
  195 Log Cabin Road - Kennebunkport, ME            
Founded in 1939 with one open trolley car, No. 31 from the Biddeford & Saco Railroad Company. Over the years thousands of members have followed the founding fathers by helping the Museum grow to be the premier electric railway museum in the world. Today, our collection contains over 250 transit vehicles, most of them trolleys, from all over the United States, Canada, and many other countries. We are the oldest, and largest electric railway museum in the world.
The mission of the Museum is to present a living history of public transportation relevant to North American life through community-related educational programs. The Museum shall collect, restore, preserve, exhibit and demonstrate the operation of significant transit vehicles with emphasis upon traditional streetcar and interurban service, including rapid transit, trackless trolley and bus service with select world wide comparative representation. The Museum shall provide a repository for artifacts and information of an educational and historic nature relating to the origin and development of the transit industry and its contribution to modern society.
    Prospect Park Zoo, United States
  450 Flatbush Avenue - Brooklyn, NY            
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Let your wild side reign free as you explore the many faces of some very unique creatures at this Brooklyn museum of life. Venture deep into the jungle as you see the animals up close. Dare to spend the day with the valor of a lion roaming with his pride. A family spending time together, appreciating nature in all its ferocious glory is what this NYC museum is all about. Take the children to the discovery center where they can try their hand at some basic veterinary skills while conducting check-ups on real live animals. Then, head over to the young naturalist camping area, cook food on a "campfire", and explore using field guides for animals that one might see on a camping trip. Feeling the urge to feed some of the animals’ springtime is the perfect time to head over and feed the sea lions - they just love the attention too. Weekends are an ideal time to visit as you can chat live with the zookeepers and learn how they care for the animals. Maybe even find out what your favorite animal does when you're not there. Overall, this taste of the wild offers a wide variety of things to do, see and learn. Spring/Summer 2012 is a great time to come see this gem.
    USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park, United States
  11 Arizona Memorial Drive - Honolulu, HI            
USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park's mission is to restore and preserve the World War II submarine USS Bowfin (SS-287), and submarine-related artifacts on our grounds and in the Museum. Bowfin Park's parent organization, the Pacific Fleet Submarine Memorial Association (PFSMA), is a non-profit group that receives no state or federal funding.
    Submarine Force Museum, United States
  1 Crystal Lake Rd - Groton, CT           
The Submarine Force Museum, located on the Thames River in Groton, Connecticut, maintains the world's finest collection of submarine artifacts. It is the only submarine museum operated by the United States Navy, and as such is the primary repository for artifacts, documents and photographs relating to U.S. Submarine Force history. The museum traces the development of the "Silent Service" from David Bushnell's Turtle, used in the Revolutionary War, to the Ohio and Virginia class submarines.
The museum's collections include more than 33,000 artifacts, 20,000 significant documents and 30,000 photographs. With so many holdings, the displays change frequently and a return visit will be a new experience. The 6,000 volume reference and research library is a world-renowned collection relative to the history of U.S. submarines and is open to anyone looking for information on submarines or submarine history.
    Valdez Museum & Historical Archive, United States
  P.O. Box 8 - Valdez, AK           
The Valdez Museum & Historical Archive's mission is to safeguard our community's valuable heritage materials; foster broad public understanding and appreciation of our unique heritage; celebrate our community's past accomplishments and provide context for future plans and programs; enhance the sense of community pride; and enhance the quality of life by fostering and supporting cultural programs
    Workers' Heritage Museum, Canada
  306 Cyr Avenue - Ottawa, ON           
Beneath its identity as the nation’s capital and a tourist destination, Ottawa is a working class town. From its early days as Bytown to the amalgamated City, Ottawa has always been home to working class people and their families – people who created our city as we know it today. Their stories – about ordinary people like stonemasons, teachers, nurses, carpenters, and government workers – are often those forgotten by history books and museums.
The Workers’ Heritage Centre (WHC) museum will fill that gap in Ottawa’s museum network. As a museum and interpretation centre it will recognize, honour, preserve and interpret the experiences and contributions of working people – their work, home life, and their cultural and political contributions to our city. These are the stories of majority of the city’s population at any given time, and for the first time they will be heard in a museum of their own.
    Saskatchewan Railway Museum, Canada
  Box 21117 - Saskatoon, SK           
The Saskatchewan Railway Museum was founded in 1990 to fulfill the SRHA’s mission. The Museum is located on the Pike Lake Highway just west of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on seven acres at the intersection of mile 2.9 of the CN Rosetown Subdivision and Highway 60. The museum is governed by a volunteer board of directors and is open during the summer months from the May long weekend to the September long weekend and by appointment on other days.
    McCord Museum of Canadian History, Canada
  690 Sherbrooke Street West - Montréal, QC            
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The McCord Museum is a public research and teaching museum dedicated to the preservation, study, diffusion and appreciation of Canadian history.
    The Ottawa Art Gallery, Canada
  Arts Court, 2 Daly Avenue - Ottawa, ON            
The Ottawa Art Gallery (OAG), Ottawa's designated municipal gallery, is an independent non-profit public art gallery committed to the acquisition, presentation, interpretation and dissemination of contemporary art for the benefit of the local arts community. OAG's programs explore a variety of issues and include exhibitions, talks, lectures, tours and publications. The Gallery has a growing contemporary collection of works associated with the region. It also houses the Firestone Collection of Canadian Art, which is presented through changing exhibitions. The Firestone Collection is comprised of over 1,600 works of art assembled by Ottawa collectors O.J. and Isobel Firestone, who purchased the works from the early 1950s to the 1970s.
    Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada, Canada
  Doncaster Street, Suite C116-123 - Winnipeg, MB           
The Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada is an incorporated non-profit multi-faceted organization involved in preserving, documenting, interpreting and sharing Jewish heritage.
Headquartered at the Asper Jewish Community Campus, the JHC includes a research library, an extensive archive collection, exhibitions of our history through artifacts and displays as well as visiting and seasonal exhibits, and a Holocaust resource and education centre.
    TELUS World of Science, Canada
  701 - 11 Street SW - Calgary, AB             
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The mission of the Creative Kids Museum is “to provide a space for children and their families to have fun in an exciting environment where hands-on discovery enhances creativity and learning.”
    The Weitzel Gallery, Canada
  904 Central Avenue - Saskatoon, SK            
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The Weitzel Gallery showcases canadian artist Al Nelson Weitzel's unique creations of wildlife, horse and western art.
    The MZTV Museum of Television, Canada
  550 Queen Street East - Toronto, ON           
The MSTV Museum and Archive seeks to protect, preserve and promote the Receiving Instruments and History. Whereas other North Amercan Museums of Broadcasting feature Programs, ours is unique in its focus on the History of the Technology, as well as the Sets Themselves.
    Choco-Musée Érico, Canada
  634, Rue Saint-Jean - Québec, QC           
At the Choco-Musée Érico, pleasure is not limited to the tasting of exquisite chocolate. Not only does the boutique exhibit artistic creations made entirely of chocolate, but it is in itself a true museum of chocolate, illustrating its history from the time of the Mayan civilization to the present day. In this place, you are invited to discover a collection of items originating in  Mexico, the Caribbean Islands and Europe.
A window overlooking the kitchen allows anyone who is so inclined to observe the artisanal chocolate making process.
    Textile Museum of Canada, Canada
  55 Centre Avenue - Toronto, ON            
The Textile Museum of Canada is one of Toronto's most engaging visual arts organizations. With more than 12,000 objects from more than 200 countries and regions, the TMC's permanent collection celebrates cultural diversity and includes traditional fabrics, garments, carpets and related artifacts such as beadwork and basketry. The Museum offers a broad variety of exhibitions including themed shows based on our permanent collection and contemporary exhibitions of the work of Canadian and international artists.
    Telephone Historical Museum, Canada
  10440 108 Ave NW - Edmonton, AB           
See, hear and do at one of the most enjoyable attractions in Edmonton! This Telephone Historical Centre is the largest of its type in North America. Perfect for all ages.
The Telephone Historical Centre opened to the public in 1987. It was founded by a group of ED TEL retirees who were dedicated to preserving the history of the telephone in the Edmonton area.
    Durham Mining Museum
   - Greenland, GL           
"Two different accounts of the history of coal mining in County Durham are presented.
The first comes from The Victoria History of the Counties of England - Durham, published in three volumes in 1907. It contains a large section on the history of coal mining in the county. This work focuses on the detailed history and does not cover the social or practical side of the industry. We have reproduced the text up to the start of the nineteenth century.
The second comes from The History, Topography, and Directory of the County Palatine of Durham by Francis Whellan, second edition, published in 1894. Once again there is a large section of the history of coal mining in the county, however, it concentrates on the nineteenth century, but the major part covers the practical and the social side of mining during the nineteenth century.
The two works complement each other, and together present an overall history of the coal industry in County Durham. The history is nor complete without coverage of the twentieth century and the eventual demise of the industry - this topic is too large and complex to cover here and is best left to the many books on the subject. We do however, provide some information for the twentieth century in the individual pages on each colliery."
    Sisimiut Museum, Greenland
  Jukkorsuup aqq. 9 - Sisimiut, GL           
The old town quarter is characterized by its colonial age buildings. As most of the towns in Greenland, Sisimiut has been spared of large fires. Consequently, a great deal of the colony administration buildings has been preserved. The greater part of these buildings belongs to Sisimiut Museum...
    Greenland National Museum, Greenland
  Hans Egedevej 8 - 3900 Nuuk, GL           
Museet blev startet i midten af 1960`erne som det første museum i Grønland. Samlingerne er siden udvidet gennem indsamling, fra udgravninger og med tilbageført materiale fra Danmarks Nationalmuseum. Museet har landsdækkende arbejdsopgaver indenfor arkæologi, nyere tids historie, kunst og kunsthåndværk. Museet rummer de centrale registre om fredede bygninger og fortidsminder og varetager fredningslovens bestemmelser om fredning af fortidsminder og bygninger samt deltager i naturfredning og byplanlægning.