Museum Guide News

The New Mexico Holocaust & Intolerance Museum and Gellert Center for Education uses lessons and personal stories of the Holocaust and other genocides to educate and inspire communities of upstanders. This unique museum experience reinforces the idea that every single one of us can make a positive difference. Located in the heart of downtown Albuquerque, the New Mexico Holocaust & Intolerance Museum provides a unique educational experience for visitors from around the world. The only museum of its type in the state, it opened in January of 2001. The institution was founded by Werner Gellert, a Holocaust survivor, his wife, Frankie, and Juliana K. Lerner, also a Holocaust survivor. Their intent was to show--along with the Holocaust--genocides and other instances of organized hate in the hopes that such atrocities might never happen again. We embody that mission through our exhibits which describe hate groups in America, propaganda, the Armenian genocide, the Chinese exclusion Act, colonization as it affected Native Americans, and the African-American experience. Our collections include a diverse array of unique artifacts, including the Flossenbürg Flag, a replica of the United States flag made by prisoners of the Flossenbürg concentration camp to welcome their liberators.  In keeping with our focus on education and outreach, we revived school visits which had been suspended due to COVID. Recently, nearly 200 middle and high school students were welcomed at the museum. After a guided tour of the exhibits, they had the incredible opportunity to hear the story of a local Holocaust survivor who was a hidden child. By studying the Holocaust, these youngsters learned about historical consequences of prejudice, hate, and intolerance, and how to combat these forces in their own lives. They learned what it means to be an upstander rather than a bystander. The New Mexico Holocaust & Intolerance Museum is a one-of-a-kind highlight to any Albuquerque vacation. Visit us to learn what you can do to prevent hate and intolerance and make our world a better, more equal place for all! 505-247-0606 https://nmholocaustmuseum.org/     

The Sherman County Historical Museum in Moro, OR is a national award-winning museum presenting Sherman County’s history and all about its community.  Sherman County Historical Society (SCHS) was formed on July 4, 1945, with a picnic held at the park in Moro. 14 people gathered that day to organize a historical society. From the very beginning, it was the dream of the society to someday have a museum in Sherman County. https://www.shermanmuseum.org/full-sherman-history Our museum tells stories of Rural Living when the county was young. In the museum we honor Military Men and Women in a special section dedicated to their service. There are three curated interpretive exhibits: Oregon Trails, Rails and Roads in Sherman County, Wheat through the Ages, and Cultivation, Conservation, & Clothespins. The historic Sherman County Journal: Paper, Ink & Presses is housed in the museum, which is the full layout of printing presses and equipment that was used to print our local newspaper. You will be familiarized with Renewable Energy in Sherman County, a growing industry. The museum also celebrates locals who have given so much of themselves for and the community; sheriffs, local donors, founding benefactors, etc. When visiting the Great Northwest or in Oregon in particular come visit the Museum and learn all about the rich history of Sherman County and it’s contributions to our country! Visit us online to learn more: https://www.shermanmuseum.org/ We are located at 200 Dewey St., Moro, OR 97039. Our hours are Tuesday - Saturday 10 am to 5 pm, May - October. Admission is $15 for Families of 3+, $10 for adults, and $5 for Students (6-18) Museum Members and children under 6 are Free!  

USS Midway Museum: An American Treasure in San Diego, CA Get ready for a one-of-a-kind adventure on America’s Living Symbol of Freedom. The USS Midway Museum on San Diego Bay, is the world’s most popular and visited naval ship museum. Dedicated to providing engaging and educational experiences, a visit to Midway not only lets guests enjoy more than 80 years of naval aviation history, but discover what it’s like to be a pilot. Together, families will experience firsthand the legacy of this amazing aircraft carrier museum through Midway’s extensive collection of restored military aircraft. The museum’s flight simulators and virtual reality experience put visitors in the pilot seat, while guests will be captivated by the ship’s award-winning audio tour. Midway’s world-famous volunteers will bring the flight deck to life with gripping stories of launching and landing naval aircraft, as well as tales of high-seas adventure. The Battle of Midway Theater will transport guests back to 1942 through the eyes and voices of American heroes to relive how the Navy turned the tide to victory in the Pacific during World War II. Kids can also earn their Junior Pilot Wings and become naval aviators through fun onboard activities. The museum is rich with artifacts that tell the story of the U.S. Navy, and naval aviation in particular. Displays and exhibits have been developed with these artifacts to provide guests with a better understanding of the role Midway played during its 47-year career in not only protecting American democracy and freedom around the world, but also how the ship supported important humanitarian operations overseas. Midway is a treasured San Diego icon, and visitors to the museum will experience the significant contributions made to the nation by America’s naval service. Midway is a family-fun adventure. We looking forward to welcoming you! For more informtion:  https://www.midway.org/    

On Your Next Stop in Bend, Oregon Visit the Deschutes Historical Museum Located south of historic downtown Bend, between Wall and Bond Streets, the Deschutes Historical Museum is home to the Deschutes County Historical Society. Inside the historic Reid School building exhibits celebrate the stories of life in the high desert country, the traditional homelands of the Molalla, Warm Springs, Wasco, Northern Piute, and Klamath peoples. From the early attraction of outdoor recreation and roadside tourism to a time when irrigation, the railroad, and lumber mills created new communities during the early 20th century, visitors to the museum will discover the rich and unique history of this area, a living legacy that grows with each new generation. Here's what we collect: https://www.deschuteshistory.org/collections/Put some history in your future, and join us on your next trip to Bend. During your visit check out the museum’s exhibit, Klunkers and Stumpjumpers: A History on Two Wheels, Mountain Biking History of Central Oregon. In the late 1970s, the logging roads and game trails of Awbrey Butte provided a playground of experimentation for early mountain bike pioneers who helped develop and cultivated the sport throughout Oregon. Check out our lates events at - https://www.deschuteshistory.org/events/For more information on these and other happenings at the Deschutes Historical Museum call 541-389-1813 or visit our website www.deschuteshistory.org The Deschutes Historical Museum is a "Blue Star Museum" and is open 10am to 4:30 pm, Tuesday - Saturdays Veterans and Seniors are only $8 Admission and Active Military Members are free with up to 5 family members! Put some history in your future and join us on your next trip to Bend, Oregon.

We at the Iroquois Museum are looking forward to opening for the 2026 season on Thursday, April 2. 2026 represents a significant milestone in the history of the United States as the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. For the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois Confederacy), the American Revolution was a complex affair that witnessed the disintegration of a confederation of nations that had existed for centuries and had heretofore appeared indestructible.  The Confederation broke out in a civil war because the Oneida and Tuscarora sided with the patriots, while the Mohawks, Seneca, and Cayuga aligned themselves with the British.  The Onondaga remained neutral - American forces destroyed their village in 1779. Our new special exhibit for 2026, “Talking About a Revolution: The Haudenosaunee Perspective on the 250th Anniversary of the United States,” hopes to illuminate the revolution through the prism of the Haudenosaunee experience. The museum will also continue to display “Separated but Unbroken: The Haudenosaunee Boarding School Experience.” Other events that we have scheduled are: April 25 – Little Boy’s Fifteenth Birthday May 16 – 1-4 p.m. Opening Reception for 2026 Special Exhibitions Cobleskill-Richmondville Student Art Exhibit – date to be determined May 23 – The Haudenosaunee Singers and Dancers, dances at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. June 21 – Summer Solstice, Yoga with Coleen, 11:00 a.m. July 11 – Social Dances, TBA, dances at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. August 7 – Roots, Rhythm, and Ale, 5-9 p.m. August 8 – Stone Soap Carving Workshop with Tum Huff August 22 - Allegany River Dancers, dances at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. September 5th and 6th – 43rd Annual Iroquois Arts Festival September 19th – Wild about Nature, September 27th, “Whose Revolution? Whose Freedom? A Storytelling Journey for Truth and Healing,” by guest speakers Cynthia Neale and Jamie Montour October 17th – Early Technology Day October 31st – Scary Stories with Mandy Tarbell, 2 p.m. So, as you can see, we have a full schedule for 2026 and we look forward to welcoming you! Please visit us at: 324 Caverns Rd., Howes Cave, NY. Our Hours are: https://www.iroquoismuseum.org/visit April, Thursday – Saturday 10-4, Sunday 2-4. May 1st – October 31st Tuesday - Saturday 10-5 and November, Thursday – Saturday 10-4 and Sunday 12-3. We are closed Easter, Thanksgiving and December – March. Visit us online for more information: https://www.iroquoismuseum.org/          

Celebrate Gloucester’s 375th and America’s 250th at the Museum of History! W. Robert Kelly, Jr., Historic Resources Supervisor Gloucester County Parks, Recreation & Tourism. Throughout 2026, Gloucester County, Virginia, proudly celebrates two milestones: the nation’s 250th anniversary and the county’s 375th birthday. Established in 1651, Gloucester stands among America’s oldest counties, with a history as complex as it is inspiring. That story comes to life at the Gloucester Museum of History. Housed within a tavern constructed in 1770, the Museum is located on Main Street in the heart of picturesque Gloucester Courthouse. Visitors of all ages can explore the county’s past through engaging exhibitions, artifacts, and interactive experiences that connect Gloucester to national stories of innovation, heroism, and sacrifice. In late 2025, the Museum unveiled a $130,000 exhibit to mark the 250 and 375th commemorations. Located on the second floor, believed to have once been the tavern’s ballroom, the new exhibit features engaging images, artifacts, and interactives, while showcasing the ballroom’s original 18th-century hardwood floors and window trim that evoke the ambiance of Colonial Williamsburg. Among the Museum’s most inspiring exhibits is Awakening: The Life & Legacy of T.C. Walker, which chronicles the journey of Gloucester’s first African American lawyer. Other visitor favorites include The Art of Carving: The Decoys of William McKinley Smith, featuring twenty-five hand-carved duck decoys, and Commerce Meets Community: Gloucester’s Country Stores, which brings the past to life with over fifty artifacts and several 120-year-old ledger books. An exhibit also shares the story of the 1781 Battle of the Hook, the largest cavalry battle of the American Revolution and key allied victory that contributed to the surrender at Yorktown. The Museum and nearby Courtcircle offer a complete experience. Guests can explore historic buildings, including the 1766 Courthouse, one of the oldest in Virginia. The Museum is open Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and admission is free.  https://gloucesterva.gov/museum-of-history  

The Roy Orbison Museum is a small museum dedicated to rock-n-roll legend and singer-songwriter Roy Orbison, who lived in Wink, TX as a child and performed with various country-western bands during the 1950s before heading on to pop stardom. The Museum was formed in 1989 by volunteers of Wink to pay tribute to a favorite former resident of this small oil field town, Roy Orbison after his death in December 1988. The museum houses memorabilia from all over the world courtesy of his many fans. While Wink, TX is very small, it attracts visitors from many countries around the world to visit the museum. Wink will celebrate their Centennial on May 9th, 2026, which promises to be a wonderful celebrations! When ready to visit us, contact Barbara at 432-999-8838 and to learn more online at: https://texastimetravel.com/directory/roy-orbison-museum/ The museum is free, but donations are always welcome! Our FB page: https://texastimetravel.com/directory/roy-orbison-museum/       

The Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum, in North Tonawanda, NY is one of a kind! Operated by the Carousel Society of the Niagara Frontier, is a premier national historic site and community resource for family recreation. Through educational, cultural, and recreational programming, visitors will experience the places, people, stories, and artifacts associated with the production of carousels, band organs, and amusement devices. The Allan Herschell Company, founded in North Tonawanda, New York, was the fourth in a series of companies in the community which manufactured carousels and other amusement park rides. It was Allan Herschell who first came up with the idea of a carrousel museum! It’s been over 46 years since the concept of a carrousel museum in North Tonawanda was initiated. 10 people sat around a table in the Carnegie Art Center to discuss the possibility of bringing a carrousel back to North Tonawanda, a city in which more hand carved carrousels were produced than the total of all other US cities that created them. One of the special exhibits, is the carving floor of the Allan Herschell Company. It's where carousel animals originally began to take shape. Carvers worked from large line drawings of animals. First, the sketch was traced onto basswood or poplar. After the carvers finished the details, the parts were then glued together and smoothed before the animal was moved to the paint shop in the next room. In later years, the Allan Herschell Company began to make animals using cast aluminum. Another wonderful exhibit is the “The Jeanette E. Jones Children's Gallery”.  This room was originally the machine shop for the Allan Herschell Company where workers produced the metal parts for carousels and other amusement rides. It is now our children’s space in the museum. Today, the Children’s Gallery holds our Kiddie Carrousel and many interactive activities for families to enjoy when visiting the museum. The space is a festive place to hold a birthday party or baby shower. Check our rentals page for more information! The Museum is perfect for all ages and bring the carrousel beginning and history back to life! Come visit this summer – for more information see us online: https://www.carrouselmuseum.org/  716-693-1885

Crazy Horse Memorial and Military Veterans Since the first blast on the mountain on June 3, 1948 there has been a relationship between the Crazy Horse Memorial and military veterans and especially Native American veterans. First you would have to look at the personal history of one of the founders of the Memorial, Korczak Ziolkowski, a noted sculptor who worked on Mt Rushmore in 1939 and won first place at the Worlds Fair in 1939 for his sculpture of Paderewski. He volunteered at the age of 34 for the Army in 1943 and three days after D-Day landed on Omaha Beach Normandy where he was wounded. The military experience and sacrifices of so many had a profound effect on Korczak and to this day admission to the Memorial is waived for active duty military, Native Americans, Boy Scouts in uniform and local county residents. In 2000 Ruth Ziolkowski approved a new program to allow veterans of the local VA hospital in Hot Springs, SD to work at the Crazy Horse Memorial and Korczak’s Heritage through a compensatory work therapy program. It is a beneficial program for both the veterans and the Crazy Horse Memorial and Korczak’s Heritage and numerous veterans have participated in the program to present date. Another program that started in the local Custer, SD area occurred in 2011 with the new non-profit Operation Black Hills Cabin to say thank you to any 30% minimum Combat Injured veteran from any post-9/11 military operation and his immediate family for a one-week respite in a cabin in Custer free of charge. Crazy Horse Memorial and Korczak’s Heritage have offered waived admission, a meal at the Laughing Water Restaurant, and a bus to base tour to the average 17 families each summer. Since 2011 178 families from 37 states have been guests of the Operation Black Hills Cabin. Since 2015 Terry DeRouchey, also a military veteran, has collected van ride tickets donated by Storytellers each year to be able to take the veteran and his immediate family for a trip of a lifetime to the top of the mountain carving. Thanks to the generosity of Storytellers he has been able to take all combat injured veterans and their families as part of the Operation Black Hills Cabin to the top. Thanks to efforts of Visitor Services staff, groups from Wounded Warriors and Sheepdog Impact organizations had the opportunity to take a trip of a lifetime to the top of the mountain carving the last three years . The tribute to the accomplishments and sacrifices of Native American veterans came about in 2019 when a different Native American veteran was honored each week at Crazy Horse Memorial and where all veterans are recognized. American Indians per capita have had the highest percentage of their people in military service exceeding every American ethnic group. Make sure to visit us online too: https://crazyhorsememorial.org/

Where can you touch what soars through the sky and see what zooms over land? The Estrella Warbirds Museum and Woodland Auto Display! Learn about rare military aircraft and vehicles, plus restored automobiles ranging from American and European classics to racetrack winners. Dedicated to restoring and preserving military aircraft, vehicles and memorabilia, the museum was established 30 years ago at the Paso Robles Municipal Airport. We now encompass 20 acres and 14 buildings with exhibit halls, workshops, library, gift shop, and conference facilities. Experience history firsthand! Aircraft represent the Cold War to today, including Betsy's Biscuit Bomber, the WWII-vintage C-47 Dakota transport aircraft owned and still flown by the Gooney Bird Group. Book your appointment to fly the Hornet simulator on Fridays and Sundays! Ground vehicles include the Red Ball Express display: restored logistics vehicles that supported General Patton’s 1944 march to the Battle of the Bulge. Freedom Hall offers artifacts from World War I to today: actual cockpit instrument displays from U.S. and Japanese aircraft, plus a Norden bombsight, which improved accuracy of U.S. bombers in WWII. You might even recognize your grandparent's flight medals or uniform! The Woodland Auto Display features an 1886 Benz Motorwagen and 2005 Ford GT 550, and everything in between, all in showroom condition. Does racing excite you? Enjoy this amazing collection of race cars including midget, sprint, Silver Crown, modified, NASCAR, and Indy racers. The Woodland Auto Display has been called the best auto museum on the Central Coast! Your admission fee helps this 501(c)(3) honor those who flew, drove, and worked these vehicles. Estrella Warbirds Museum and Woodland Auto Display, 4251 Dry Creek Road, Paso Robles; open Thursday-Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm. Visit https://www.ewarbirds.org/index.html  or call (805) 238-9317 for more information.