North America Museums and Culture

    Currency Museum, Canada

  245 Sparks Street - Ottawa, ON           
The Bank of Canada's Currency Museum was opened in 1980. It is home to the National Currency Collection, the largest collection of Canadian bank notes, coins, and tokens in the world. The Museum is located within the first Bank of Canada building (built in 1934), just minutes from Parliament Hill.
    Denver Firefighters Museum, United States
  1326 Tremont Place - Denver, CO            
The mission of the Denver Firefighters Museum is to preserve the history of the Denver Fire Department and firefighting through the collection and preservation of artifacts, documents and photographs. The purpose of the Museum is to educate the public about fire safety and the history of firefighting in Denver from its inception to the present. This is accomplished through interpretive exhibits, educational programming and scholarly research.
    Varnum House Museum, United States
  57 Pierce St. - East. Greenwich, RI           
This mansion was built in 1773 by James Mitchell Varnum, a lawyer who entered the Revolutionary War and served as one of General George Washington's Continental Army Brigadier Generals. Varnum was later Major General in command of the entire Rhode Island Militia. The museum is furnished with period furniture and features many historic artifacts.
    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.
    Morris-Jumel Mansion, United States
  65 Jumel Terrace - New York, NY           
It's true! Washington made his headquarters here at the Mansion during the fall of 1776. It was during this period that the General's troops forced a British retreat at the Battle of Harlem Heights. The house was built eleven years before the Revolution, in 1765, by British Colonel Roger Morris and his American wife, Mary Philipse. The breezy hilltop location proved an ideal location for the family's summer home. Known as Mount Morris, this northern Manhattan estate stretched from the Harlem to the Hudson Rivers and covered more than 130 acres. Loyal to the crown, the Morrises were eventually forced to return to England as a result of the American victory.
    Chapel Hill Museum, United States
  523 East Franklin St. - Chapel Hill, NC           
The Chapel Hill Museum was founded to exhibit the Character and Characters of Chapel Hill.
The building in which the museum is housed was built and dedicated in 1968 as the Chapel Hill Public Library. Though contemporary in design, the structure incorporated familiar elements of Chapel Hill construction, such as the stone walls.
    The Cloisters Museum, United States
  Ft. Tryon Park - New York, NY           
Medieval Europe in New York? This implausible statement is very much a reality as you approach the Cloisters Museum branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This section of the museum has been built to resemble the architectural elements of the middle ages and takes you back in time. The museum itself is devoted to the art of the time period and offers a traditional museum experience by shares the faith of all the artists and artisans with work on display. The Cloisters is highly dedicated to maintaining its religious roots with the restoration of the Fuentiduena Chapel, featuring the most magnificent stain glass and hand crafted religious artifacts. The Cloisters has also been known to have a feel of a mini-city with their own restaurant and botanical garden designed to enhance the visiting pleasure. Summer 2012 continues with the traditions of bringing Europe to the masses, as more exhibits are on tap to make their way through the hallowed greatness that is the museum. If you are looking for a nice escape from city life and desire to feel transported into the world of yesteryear, then a trip to the Cloisters is highly recommended.
    The Pocono Indian Museum, United States
  Route 209 - Bushkill, PA           
The Pocono Indian Museum is the only museum in Northeastern Pennsylvania dedicated to showing the history of the Delaware Indian. The museum will both inform and, perhaps, shock you. It will show the North American history of man in Northeastern Pennsylvania from 10,500 B.C. to the contact period with European man prior to the American Revolution. It will show the Delaware Indian's peaceful coexistence with other Indians. And, it will show you the shocking and short 100 years it took the white man to virtually eliminate almost all traces of the Indian's existence.
The Pocono Indian Museum traces the history of the Delawares through displays of ancient artifacts, weapons, and tools that form chronological commentary on life among the Indians for thousands of years.
    International Center of Photography, United States
  1133 Ave. of the Americas at 43rd - New York, NY            
Manhattan has the distinction of being home to some of the most wonderful museum experiences in the world. One of these stands out from the rest, as it grasps the simple idea of presenting a solitary moment for its visitors. The International Center of Photography gives its patrons an opportunity to gaze at frozen moments in time and bring public attention to outstanding achievements in photography. Inside the enormous glass windows that make up the entrance lies some of the most dynamic exhibitions ever presented in the New York Museum scene. Current exhibits include works by Weegee, dealing with New York crime and news events and the first American presentation of Christer Stromholm’s “Les Amies de Place Blanche.” On top of the already vast selection of pictures and exhibits, Spring and Summer 2012 will have the museum partnered up with several instructors to provide hands-on classes for the aspiring photographers of tomorrow. This museum also houses the only library dedicated to photography, which presents even more opportunities for visitors to engulf themselves in this culture. In the simplest terms, the International Center of Photography is a life changing experience that will leave its crowds speechless and give everyone a chance to experience New York like never before.
    Staten Island Children's Museum, United States
  1000 Richmond Terrace - Staten Island, NY            
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The Staten Island Children's Museum appeals to the intrepid explorer in every child. Interactive exhibitions and creative workshops offer plenty of opportunities for hands-on, first hand experiences that nurture children's natural curiosity and creativity. Visits to the museum launch children on a voyage of discovery - about themselves and the world around them.
    Holter Museum of Art, United States
  12 E. Lawrence - Helena, MT            
    Museum Village, United States
  1010 Route 17M - Monroe, NY           
Museum Village was the vision of Roscoe William Smith, an electrical engineer, entrepreneur, philanthropist and collector who contributed to his native Orange County in many ways during his 99 years. Roscoe made his fortune as founder of the Orange and Rockland electric company in 1905. The wealth he generated from his successful company and investments allowed him to give back to the community in many ways. Probably Mr. Smith's most cherished gift to the local community was Museum Village of Old Smith's Clove. Mr. Smith was passionate about American history and was an avid collector of Americana. His collection varied widely, from textiles and porcelain items to horse-drawn carriages. His main interest, was in craft tools and mechanical devices: their invention, adaptation and development which he realized were slowly disappearing.
    Musée Bombardier, Canada
  1001 avenue J.-A.-Bombardier - Valcourt, QC           
Located in Valcourt, in the Eastern Townships of Quebec, the Musée Bombardier presents the life and work of the great inventor and entrepreneur Joseph-Armand Bombardier. This privately funded museum also describes the evolution of the snowmobile industry, in large part launched by this Quebec visionary.
    The Winnipeg Art Gallery, Canada
  300 Memorial Boulevard - Winnipeg, MB           
Established in 1912, the Winnipeg Art Gallery is Western Canada’s oldest public art gallery, mandated to develop and maintain Manitoba’s visual arts heritage. As one of Canada’s leading galleries, it collects and exhibits works of art by Manitoba, Canadian, and international artists.
The WAG takes seriously its mandate of Involving People in the Visual Arts, and is committed to helping people enrich their lives through art. Exhibitions are accompanied by informative wall panels, brochures, articles in the Gallery publication Tableau, catalogues—all designed to guide visitors to a new appreciation of the art they are viewing. Tours conducted by trained Gallery guides—and often by the artists or curators themselves—bring a new dimension to visitors’ enjoyment of the exhibitions.
    Musée des Maîtres et Artisans du Québec, Canada
  615, avenue Sainte-Croix - Montréal, QC             
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The mission of the Musée des maîtres et artisans du Québec is to promote Quebec's cultural heritage, including the traditional arts and crafts of yesterday, and those of today, among local, regional and national collectivities.
Its artistic objectives are to increase awareness of traditional craft and artisanal practices, as well as contemporary craft and contemporary art. Also, the Museum accords a large place to the artistic and artisanal expression of the different cultural communities that enrich its local population and reflect the image of Canada today.
    Firefighter Museum, Canada
  4124 – 11 Street S.E. - Calgary, AB           
The Firefighter Museum of Calgary's purpose is to acquire, restore, maintain and protect fire apparatus, pictures, equipment and memorabilia of the Fire Services' past.
    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.
    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...
    Canada Agriculture Museum, Canada
  P.O. Box 9724, Station T - Ottawa, ON             
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The Canada Agriculture Museum is living proof of the "Green Capital". In fact, Ottawa is the only world Capital that has a working farm at its heart. Canada's unique agricultural heritage is featured at the Canada Agriculture Museum, where you can explore the sights and sounds of typical farm life.
Visit the animal barns and special exhibitions at the largest urban working farm and research station in Canada. Discover the many breeds of dairy cattle and see a modern dairy barn in operation. In the Small Animal Barn you can meet sheep and lambs, pigs and piglets, chickens, rabbits and goats. In our Horse and Cattle Barn, you can see the Clydesdale horses and seven breeds of beef cattle. Wander through the Dominion Arboretum and the ornamental gardens right next door.
    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.
    The Canadian Clock Museum, Canada
  60 James Street - Deep River, ON           
The Canadian Clock Museum opened to the public in Deep River, Ontario in late May of 2000 as Canada's only clock museum. This non-profit, private museum operates as a federal corporation dedicated to preserving and promoting the products and history of Canada's many clock manufacturers and sellers from the early 1800s to current times.
A major collection focus is on clocks made by The Arthur Pequegnat Clock Company (Berlin/Kitchener, Ontario, ca. 1904-1941), Westclox Canada (Peterborough, Ontario, ca. 1920-mid 1980s), and Harry Snider's two companies (Toronto, 1950-1876).
    Canadian Museum of Nature, Canada
  PO Box 3443, Station D - Ottawa, ON             
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From valuable minerals and fossils hidden beneath our feet to the trees that make the oxygen we breathe, from Arctic plants to zebra mussels and everything in between, nature touches every aspect of our lives. The Canadian Museum of Nature is more than a natural history museum that creates and develops exhibitions for public viewing. Come inside!
    Vancouver Museum, Canada
  1100 Chestnut Street - Vancouver, BC
          
As Canada's largest civic museum moves into its second century, The Vancouver Museum continues to explore the human and natural history of the Vancouver region, the Pacific Northwest Coast and Pacific Rim with exciting, ever-changing new exhibitions. The Vancouver Museum continues to celebrate the rich legacy and heritage of Vancouver's diverse multicultural society through varied programs. http://www.vanmuseum.bc.ca/
    Vancouver Police Museum, Canada
  240 E. Cordova St. - Vancouver, BC             
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Visit Vancouver's old Coroner's Court to learn about the history of lawlessness and law enforcement in Vancouver. Also, check out the popular school programs, public tours and the unique gift shop. What's New:
    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."