North America Museums and Culture

    Museum of Chinese American, United States

  70 Mulberry Street - New York, NY             
The Museum of Chinese in America has the distinction of being one of the first museums to provide a link between the enriched Chinese culture and American society. Located in Manhattan, the Museum of Chinese in America strives to be a model amongst interactive museums and provides a cultural experience unlike many others in New York City. The museum itself curates and displays an expanded collection in a variety of innovative ways. Want to learn about the Chinese immigrants living in California? Why not watch it in a multimedia production available on the main floor. Want to bring a Chinese fieldtrip to school? Take advantage of the museum’s educational programs and curriculum. The museum also offers oral histories and firsthand accounts through its community workshops and projects giving visitors a strong sense of what the Chinese culture is all about. Spring 2012 continues in the traditions of innovative exhibits by featuring new displays focusing on the Tiananmen Square massacre, the history of Chinatown, and a walk through Chinese America in the Artists Talk series. The belief is that by increasing local and global dialogues, New Yorkers and Chinese alike will promote wellness and shape a better tomorrow. The Museum of Chinese in America is dedicated to doing just that.
    Hawaii Army Museum, United States
  P.O. Box 8064 - Honolulu, HI           
Helicopters, tanks, guns now silenced, and vacant bunkers welcome you to the U.S. Army Museum of Hawai'i. Once a bastion built to protect Hawai'i from invading forces, the structure now houses a Museum that tells the military story of Hawai'i, from ancient times to the Gulf War and the War in Iraq. Each of these hostilities is covered graphically in separate displays with photographs and sound effect creating a real "you were there" experience.
    Frankenmuth Historical Museum, United States
  613 South Main Street - Frankenmuth, MI           
"The Frankenmuth Historical Museum offers more than just the historic travels of the original fifteen settlers from Germany to the Saginaw Valley in 1845. Our Museum is an entertaining look at the people, and the motivations of the immigrants who framed the history as well as the future of Frankenmuth. We use hands-on displays, video and audio, and interesting artifacts to tell this fascinating story.
If you enjoy visiting Frankenmuth, you're sure to love the Historical Museum. Your senses will come alive as you learn why and how Frankenmuth became "Michigan's Little Bavaria." The Frankenmuth Historical Museum is accredited by the American Association of Museums."
    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.
    The Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, United States
  600 Main St. - Hartford, CT             
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"We’re more than just the first public art institution in the United States. We were the first museum in America to begin collecting contemporary American art – resulting in our world renowned Hudson River School collection. We staged the first retrospective of Pablo Picasso in America; we were the first museum to both exhibit and purchase works by Surrealist artists – today almost every exhibition about Surrealism includes works borrowed from our collection. We were the first art museum to also have a theater – and we were the first to show Gertrude Stein’s Four Saints & 3 Acts – which we also produced."
    Montclair Historical Society, United States
  108 Orange Road - Montclair, NJ           
The main goals Montclair Historical Society strives to achieve are preservation and education. The institution is dedicated preserving its four historic buildings, grounds and collections. By preserving these historical assets, visitors are afforded the opportunity to interpret the Montclair area history, utilizing the four houses, that span three centuries in age, as tangible examples.
    Sixth Floor Museum, The, United States
  411 Elm Street - Dallas, TX            
The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza contains nearly 400 historic photographs, six documentary films, an audio tour and a range of artifacts and interpretive displays to document the life, times, death and legacy of President John F. Kennedy. The 9,000 square-foot museum recreates the social and political context of the early l960s, chronicles the events of November 22, l963, and analyzes Kennedy's lasting impact on American culture.
    Historic Richmond Town, United States
  441 Clarke Avenue - Staten Island, NY             
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Historic Richmond Town is a living history museum located in Staten Island, New York. It is a complex of buildings and structures that have been carefully preserved to give visitors a glimpse into the past and a better understanding of the history and culture of Staten Island and New York City. The museum features over 30 historical structures, including a colonial-era courthouse, a one-room schoolhouse, and a variety of homes and businesses that were once located throughout Staten Island. Visitors can experience what life was like in the past through interactive exhibits, tours, and living history demonstrations. The museum is also home to the Staten Island Historical Society, which is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of Staten Island and its residents. The society's collections include artifacts, documents, and photographs that provide a glimpse into the lives of the people who lived on Staten Island throughout history.
The museum is open to visitors throughout the year and offers a variety of programs, events, and activities for visitors of all ages. Visitors can take a tour of the museum's buildings and structures, participate in hands-on activities, attend lectures and workshops, and explore the museum's gardens and grounds. The Decker Farm is also part of the museum's property, where visitors can enjoy the bountiful harvests of produce from its well-maintained and beautiful organic fields, and learn about the farming practices used in the past.
In Historic Richmond Town, visitors can live vicariously through history and really gain a feel for the true American experience. It's a great place to bring friends and family to create memories that will last a lifetime. With its rich history, beautiful architecture, and engaging programs, it's easy to see why visitors keep coming back to this unique and historic museum.
    Cartoon Art Museum, United States
  655 Mission Street - San Francisco, CA             
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The Cartoon Art Museum is committed to fostering and promoting a greater appreciation of cartoon art. This it achieves through collecting, cataloging, preserving and displaying the finest representations of original cartoon art as well as providing innovative educational programs designed to enrich the cultural life of our community.
    American Museum of Natural History, United States
  Central Park West at 79th Street - New York, NY             
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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
    Onassis Cultural Center, United States
  645 Fifth Avenue - New York, NY           
A dream is nothing to fear, nothing to hide; a dream is something in which one takes pride. This center was the dream of one man. Aristotle Onassis passed away before he could make his dream a reality, however through his son Alexander his dream was fulfilled and more. The Onassis Cultural center is still carrying on the mission of Aristotle by presenting cultural and artistic activities concerning ancient, Byzantine and modern Hellenic civilization. A person could get lost in the amount of things the center has to offer, for all ages. Maybe viewing a documentary is your guilty pleasure, if so you are in luck as the center frequently screens documentaries. Perhaps poetry is more up you alley, you are welcome to have a seat and enjoy one of the many readings of poetry that frequent the center. In addition to theatre performances, art exhibits, and concerts there is bound to be something that tickles your fancy. Free admission never hurts, especially with everything that is offered. Head on over and show the family a fun time. As you step into a world rich in culture and diversity be prepared to learn and immerse yourself in everything there is to offer.
    Brooklyn Children's Museum, United States
  145 Brooklyn Avenue - Brooklyn, NY              
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The first of its kind, the Brooklyn Children’s Museum paved the way for many to follow. Slated to be New York City’s first “green” museum, it integrates environmentally responsible building materials. Actively engaging in the education of sustainability and energy conservation, a fair amount of the hands-on exhibits encourage the appreciation of the bounty of plants and animals that surround the Brooklyn area and beyond. In addition, some of the green features of this NYC children’s museum also make for awesome visual appeal and presentations. Focusing on energy efficiency and a reduction in waste by using many recycled building materials, the grounds are awe inspiring. While browsing around, be sure to check out all of the interesting exhibits where a substantial amount are also made of recycled materials; also, here you will find Indian artifacts, a weapons and armor collection, and a doll collection that any little princess would be sure to enjoy. A little bit of something for everyone. Grab the family and head on down for a day of learning and culture, and then head on over to one of the many nearby parks for some relaxation. Nearing the end of your fun-filled day you might want to head over to the Brower Park Branch Library for some family reading.
    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!
    Le Musée de Saint-Boniface Museum, Canada
  494 Taché Avenue - Saint-Boniface, MB           
The Grey Nuns' convent, Winnipeg's oldest building, houses Le Musée de Saint-Boniface Museum. Built for the Grey Nuns who arrived in the Red River Colony in 1844, the structure is an outstanding example of Red River frame construction. The Museum presents an impressive collection of artifacts that reveal the lives and culture of the Francophone and Métis communities of Manitoba, including a special exhibit about Louis Riel, the "father" of Manitoba.
    Gardiner Museum, Canada
  111 Queen’s Park - Toronto, ON             
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The Gardiner Museum offers an intimate look at one of the world’s oldest and most universal forms of art and material culture—ceramics. Complemented by special exhibitions, the collection exceeds 3,000 historical and contemporary pieces and spans continents and time, giving you an extraordinary glimpse into the development of the ceramic process, decoration and shape.
Located across from the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto’s charming Yorkville district, the Gardiner has undergone a major expansion of its gallery and studio spaces. It remains one of the city’s finest examples of modernist architecture.
    Elgin County Railway Museum, Canada
  225 Wellington Street - St. Thomas, ON           
The Elgin County Railway Museum was incorporated in 1988 as a registered non-profit charity for the purpose of preserving and restoring the railway heritage of St. Thomas and surrounding area.
The railway has been a part of St. Thomas since 1856 with the completion of the London and Port Stanley Railway. Since then a total of 26 railways have passed through town making St. Thomas what is now known as the "Railway Capital of Canada".
    Bagotville Air Defence Museum, Canada
  P.O. Box 567 - Alouette, QC           
Opened in June 1997 and officially recognized as a military museum by the Canadian Armed Forces, the Bagotville Air Defence Museum is the only museum in the Province of Quebec dedicated to the history of military aviation.
The mission of the museum is threefold: to preserve, to explain and to disseminate the military aeronautical heritage of Canada. The museum is structured around one major theme, namely the air defence of Canada, and three minor themes; the historical development of Base Bagotville, the history of military and civil aviation in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region, and technological and aeronautical developments.
    Alberta Aviation Museum, Canada
  11410 Kingsway Avenue - Edmonton, AB           
See the incredible progress of technology in the past century of flight. Take a guided tour with a group, or plan a self guided, interactive journey through the culture of flight, from the days of wood and fabric to the Jet Age of today. Celebrate 100 years of flight at the Alberta Aviation Museum!
    Lucan Area Heritage & Donnelly Museum, Canada
  171 Main Street - Lucan, ON            
he Lucan Area Heritage Association operates a museum dedicated to the preservation and retelling of the most famous historical events of the area. Events such as Lucan being the first black settlement in Canada known as Wilberforce, continued development of the Irish settlers and the infamous Donnelly massacre are key chapters in Canadian history and a vital part of Canada's future.
    Victoria Children's Museum, Canada
  Box 8220 - Victoria, BC             
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The Victoria Children's Museum, a registered charity with a board of committed community members, has begun developing plans and started fund-raising for the first children's museum in BC. The Victoria Children's Museum's mission is to inspire children to explore and discover their world in a creative, safe, hands-on environment, where fun and play magically transform into learning.
    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.
    Ukrainian Museum of Canada, Canada
  910 Spadina Crescent East - Saskatoon, SK           
Come visit the Ukrainian Museum of Canada in downtown Saskatoon, Saskatchewan!
    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.
    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...