What-To-Do Wednesday - Virtual Visits - Penobscot Marine Museum

What:  Penobscot Marine Museum

Physical Location:   5 Church St.
                                   Searsport, ME

The Penobscot Marine Museum is dedicated to the history of maritime life in Maine. The museums extensive collection includes photographs, artifacts, and archives. Current virtual exhibits available to explore include the following:

Exploring the Magic of Photography 

20 Best - Arguably the 20 best photos from the museum's archives with written descriptions as well as audio clips which enhance the descriptions and explaining why the photographs were chosen.

The Carters and Lukes - The Carters and Lukes were two important boat building families in Maine's history. This section of the exhibit includes photographs with descriptions as well as some audio.

The Evolution of the Photographic Snapshot - This section of the exhibit provides a series of photographs and shows how the art of taking pictures changed over time.

Through Her Lens Women Photographers of Mid-Coast Maine, 1895 - 1925 - This section consists of a series of photographs by women photographers including Ida Crie, Evie Barbour, Joanna Colcord, Ruth Montgomery, and Harriet Hitchborn. It also offers visitors the opportunity to comment and/or upload a photo of their own.

Penobscot Marine Museum Reader  provides images relating to various exhibits in the museum's permanent collection including those regarding:

People  - Atlantic Fisherman, Summer Folk

Specific areas - Knox County, Waldo County, Washington  County

Specific photographers - Elmer Montgomery, Ed Coffin

Artifacts and documents in the museum - tea box, Chinese coat, Coolie ship records, discharge papers and more

Paintings by Thomas and James Butterworth 

For more information or to make a virtual visit of your own go to penobscotmarinemuseum.org.

Tune in tomorrow for Theater Thursday.

photo credit: *rboed* The Harbor at Camden, Maine via photopin (license)

*Please note: The above photograph is not part of the museum's collection.

What-To-Do Wednesday - Virtual Visits - New River Gorge

What: New River Gorge 

Physical Locations:Nuttallburg, New Haven, WV

                                 Thurmond, WV 

                                 Sandstone Falls, District 3, WV 

                                 Grandview, WV

Take a virtual visit to the New River Gorge in West Virginia, an area that was made a part of the National Park Service in 1978. This historic area is today a very popular area for hiking, climbing, bike riding, and white water rafting as well as offering camps and educational programs for kids. The park's website is full of information, pictures, and videos.

Visit the Parks Website to: 

Learn about such historical figures as 

Joseph Beury who was the operator of the first coal mine on the New River.

Mary Draper Ingles whose capture by members of the Shawnee Nation and subsequent escape has been the inspiration for a number of books and movies.

Carter Woodson who is known as the Father of Black History because among other things he started a Negro History week which eventually led to the creation of Black History Month.

Learn about historic places including: 

Nuttalburg which was once a mining town whose mines were at one time leased by Henry Ford.

Sandstone School which stood at the current site of the Sandstone Visitor Center.

Prince Depot constructed in 1946 and still in use today.

Learn more about the area's history including:

Tales of some of the coal mining disasters that occurred there.

The legend of John Henry one of thousands of men responsible for the construction of the Great Bend Tunnel.

Learn about and view pictures of various plants and animals found in the area including:

Rhododendrons

Mountain Laurels

Allegheny Woodrats

Peregrine Falcons

Views numerous videos including ones regarding

Available activities in the park

Various locations in the area.

To learn more or make a virtual visit of your own to New River Gorge, go to https://www.nps.gov/neri/index.htm

Tune in tomorrow for Theater Thursday.

Photo credits:

photo credit  1: Brook-Ward New River Gorge Bridge via photopin (license)

Photo credit 2: Rana X. Thurmond, WV via photopin (license)

photo credit 3: Scooter Flix Mountain Laurel in Bloom via photopin (license)

photo credit 4: DFChurch Sandstone Falls via photopin (license)

What-To-Do Wednesday - Virtual Visits - The Space Needle

If you are in an area that is still in the process of opening up or has begun to shutdown again and there aren't many (or any) museums and attractions in your area open for visits, you can still get your dose of culture. Many museums and other attractions offer a variety of virtual exhibits. This is an especially great time to explore museums and attractions that are outside of your area and maybe even outside of your country that you ordinarily would not be able to get to because of time and/or money constraints. We are doing so as well, and we have been sharing our virtual visits in our weekly What-To-Do Wednesday posts. We we will continue to do so until we can return to our regular Where-To-Go Wednesday posts. 

What: The Space Needle

Physical Location: 400 Broad St.
                                Seattle, WA

The Space Needle is a 605 foot observation tour that was built for the 1962 Seattle World's Fair. There are a couple of different ways to visit the Space Needle virtually.

Space Needle Panocam 

See the exact views you would be witnessing if you were visiting the Space Needle at that exact moment.

See what the views would have looked like at a time of your choosing earlier in the day. 

See what the views would have looked like at the same time of day on a different date. 

See what the views would have looked like at a different time of day on a different day.

See what the views were like on one of selection of specific dates when allegedly the best views were available.

For more go to https://www.spaceneedle.com/webcam

Space Needle Walking Tour

This virtual tour allows you to experience the Space Needle as if you were there including:

Your arrival

Purchasing your tickets

Going up in the elevator

Walking around and observing the view from all sides

Riding back down in the elevator.

For more go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRWDlbDKmsc

Tune in tomorrow for Theater Thursday.

Photo credits:
photo credit 1: Brook-Ward Space Needle via photopin (license)
photo credit 2: Maëlick Space Needle View via photopin (license)
photo credit 3: Lorenzo Pasqualis Seattle by Night via photopin (license)

What-To-Do Wednesday - Virtual Visits: The Black Heritage Trail

If you are in an area that is still in the process of opening up and there aren't many (or any) museums and attractions in your area open for visits yet, you can still get your dose of culture. Many museums and other attractions offer a variety of virtual exhibits. This is an especially great time to explore museums and attractions that are outside of your area and maybe even outside of your country that you ordinarily would not be able to get to because of time and/or money constraints. We are doing so as well, and we have been sharing our virtual visits in our weekly What-To-Do Wednesday posts. We we will continue to do so until we can return to our regular Where-To-Go Wednesday posts. 

What: Black Heritage Trail Tour 

Physical Location: Tour starts at The Robert Gould and 54th Regiment Memorial            
                                 (across from the Massachusetts State House which is located
                                 at 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA)

Explore the history of  the Beacon Hill area of Boston's 19th century free African American community with a virtual Black Heritage Trail Tour.

Here are only a few of the places you will virtually visit on this tour:

The Robert Gould and 54th Regiment Memorial (see above) - This monument to the first black regiment formed following the Emancipation Proclamation was one of sixteen public art works in the area vandalized during the recent protests 

The Phillips School - Originally a school for white children only, the Phillips School became one of the first integrated schools in Boston.

The Lewis and Harriet Hayden House - Lewis Hayden, an escaped slave himself, was a very active and militant abolitionist. He and his wife regularly took in and cared for self-emancipated men and women in their home boarding house.

The African Meeting House - A gathering place for meetings and/or  celebrations of all kinds welcomed many of the leading activists of the time including Frederick Douglass. Prior to integration the first floor of the building was a school for African American children. 

Here are some of the people you will learn about on this tour in addition to Lewis and Harriet Hayden who are mentioned above:

Sergeant William Carney - Due to his efforts to save the American flag from capture by the Confederate army at Fort Wagner despite being wounded in battle, he became the first African American to earn a Congressional Medal of Honor.

Elizabeth Smith - Her father, John J. Smith was an abolitionist and more, and she was one of the first African Americans to teach in a Boston integrated school. 

William Cooper Nell - He was a leader in the fight for equal school rights for all children regardless of race.

To learn more or to take the tour yourself, go to artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/the-black-heritage-trail-%C2%AE/wQJi32eLUZggIg.

Tune in tomorrow for Theater Thursday.

photo credit: Onasill ~ Bill - 71.8M Robert Gould Shaw Memorial ~ Boston Massachetts ~ Historical Memorial ~ My Old Photo via photopin (license)

What-To-Do Wednesday Virtual Visits: Grand Canyon National Park

If you are in an area that is still in the process of opening up and there aren't many (or any) museums and attractions in your area open for visits yet, you can still get your dose of culture. Many museums and other attractions offer a variety of virtual exhibits. This is an especially great time to explore museums and attractions that are outside of your area and maybe even outside of your country that you ordinarily would not be able to get to because of time and/or money constraints. We are doing so as well, and we have been sharing our virtual visits in our weekly What-To-Do Wednesday posts. We we will continue to do so until we can return to our regular Where-To-Go Wednesday posts. 

What: Grand Canyon National Park 

Physical Address: 20 S. Entrance Rd.
                               Grand Canyon, AZ

Grand Canyon National Park was established as a National Park in February of 1919. Since then millions of visitors visit the park each year. However, if you can't get to there in person, you can still visit virtually. To find out more about taking a virtual visit to the Grand Canyon see below:

Take a Virtual  Hike to Phantom Ranch on the Corridor Trails 

www.usgs.gov/science-support/osqi/yes/national-parks/phantom-ranch-tour

Take a Virtual Raft Trip Through Grand Canyon

www.usgs.gov/science-support/osqi/yes/national-parks/colorado-river-raft-tour

Take a Grand Canyon River Archeology Virtual Tour 

www.nps.gov/features/grca/001/archeology

There is also a video series with each episode concerning a different aspect of  the Grand Canyon to view on the park's website as follows:

Episode 1:  More Than A View

Episode 2: Hidden Waters

Episode 3: Phantom Ranch

Episode 4: Night Sky

Episode 5: Desert View Watchtower

Episode 6:  Pipeline on the Precipice

Episode 7:  North Rim

Episode 8 : Legacy

For more, visit https://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm

Tune in tomorrow for Theater Thursday.

Photo credits:
photo credit 1: Al Case Grand Canyon via photopin (license)
photo credit 2: Al_HikesAZ Dinner Bell at Phantom Ranch - Grand Canyon National Park via photopin (license)
photo credit 3: Al_HikesAZ Floating on Trevor Dody's raft - Grand Canyon via photopin (license)
photo credit 4: Al_HikesAZ View down river from the hike to the Nankoweap Granaries - Grand Canyon via photopin (license)

What-To-Do Wednesday - Virtual Visits: United States Olympic and Paralympic Museum

If you are in an area that is still in the process of opening up and there aren't many (or any) museums and attractions in your area open for visits yet, you can still get your dose of culture. Many museums and other attractions offer a variety of virtual exhibits. This is an especially great time to explore museums and attractions that are outside of your area and maybe even outside of your country that you ordinarily would not be able to get to because of time and/or money constraints. We are doing so as well, and we have been sharing our virtual visits in our weekly What-To-Do Wednesday posts. We we will continue to do so until we can return to our regular Where-To-Go Wednesday posts. 

What: United State Olympic & Paralympic Museum 

Physical Location: 200 S. Sierra Madre St.
                              Colorado Springs, CO

The United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum has one of the most extensive online collections of any of the museums we have virtually visited. There is so much fascinating material to read through and so many interesting people and events to learn about. Unfortunately however, although you would think that a museum that revolves around sports would offer a very interactive online experience this is not the case. We only found one video to view. Aside from that, the museum is a really great choice for a fun place to visit virtually. For more of what you can expect from an online visit to the United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum, see below:

You can learn about Olympic & Paralympic Games from various years including:



The Sochi 2014 Olympic Games

usopm.org/sochi-2014-great-olympic-moments


The Sochi 2015 Paralympic Games

usopm.org/sochi-2014-great-paralympic-moments


The 1932 Los Angeles Olympic Games

usopm.org/los-angeles-1932-olympic-games

and more!

You can learn about Olympic and Paralympic Athletes like:



Gymnast, Nastia Liukin

usopm.org/nastia-liukin


Speed Skater, Apolo Anton Ohno

usopm.org/apolo-anton-ohno-skating-with-no-regrets


Swimmer, Erin Popvich

usopm.org/erin-popovich


Basketball, Tennis, Track and Field Star, Randy Snow

usopm.org/randy-snow

and more!

You can learn more about specific Olympic teams including:

The 1964 Men's Basketball Team

usopm.org/1964-mens-basketball-team-2


The 2004 Women's Softball Team

usopm.org/2004-softball-team-2

and more!

You can learn about other people who have been important to U.S Olympics like:

Filmmaker, Bud Greenspan

usopm.org/1964-mens-basketball-team


Figure Skating Coach, Carlo Fassi 

usopm.org/carlo-fassi


Former Vice President of the U.S. Olympic Team, Frank Marshall

usopm.org/frank-marshall

and more!

For more or to make your own virtual visit to the US Olympic and Paralympic Museum, visit usopm.org.

Tune in tomorrow for Theater Thursday.

Photo credits:
photo credit 1: Sum_of_Marc The Olympic Rings via photopin (license)
photo credit 2: rho-bin 6 February - Winter Olympics!! (37) via photopin (license)
photo credit 3: alexlc13 Nastia Liukin via photopin (license)
photo credit 4: Quite Adept Olympic Gold 2012 via photopin (license)

What-To-Do Wednesday - Virtual Visits: Cajun Encounters Tours

If you are still stuck inside and/or if you are still not able to visit any museums or other attractions in your area, many museums and other attractions are still offering a variety of virtual exhibits. This is an especially great time to explore museums and attractions that are outside of your area and maybe even outside of your country that you ordinarily would not be able to get to because of time and/or money constraints. We will continue to share more virtual visits in our What-To-Do Wednesday posts until we are able to resume our regular Where-To-Go Wednesday posts.

What: Cajun Encounters Tours

Physical address: 55345 US-90
                               Slidell, LA

Cajun Encounters located in Slidell, Louisiana offers a variety of tours. They include Swamp Tours, City Bus Tours, Plantation Tours, Walking Tours, and more. Virtual versions of several of them are  available online. The online tours are not as detailed as they would be if you actually took one of these tours. However, they do give you an overview of what it would be like to take one. For more see below:

Cajun Encounters Virtual Tours

Virtual Swamp Tour - You'll  feel like your along for the ride gliding through the Honey Island Swamp on a flat bottomed boat on this tour.  Even virtually, you'll have plenty of opportunity to view the local wildlife including wild boars, raccoons, birds and even alligators that come right up to the boat.

www.cajunencounters.com/tours/swamp-tour-new-orleans

Virtual City Tour - This will give you  a quick overview of the City of  New Orleans.  Here are some of the many famous locations you will get a brief glimpse of on this virtual tour:

The French Quarter

Canal Street

St. Louis Cathedral

Cafe Du Monde

The French Market

City of the Dead

Louis Armstrong Park

The Superdome

The Garden District

www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=16&v=rh0mJD1mxjw&feature=emb_logo

Virtual Plantation Tour -  This virtual tour is a little more detailed than the others. It will give you you an overview of  a couple of Louisiana's historic plantations, Oak Alley and Laura Plantation.

www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=veWZeNQrlrA&feature=emb_title

For more information go to www.cajunencounters.com.

Tune in tomorrow for Theater Thursday.

Stay well! Stay safe!

Photo credits:

photo credit 1: David Paul Ohmer New Orleans - French Quarter "Cast-Iron Balcony & Shadows" via photopin (license)
photo credit 2: angela n. Honey Island Swamp via photopin (license)
photo credit 3: darrellrhodesmiller St. Louis Cathedral meets Tropical Storm Karen via photopin (license)
photo credit 4: denisbin Oak Alley via photopin (license)

What-To-Do Wednesday: Virtual Visits -BSM25 (The Bata Shoe Museum)

If you are still stuck inside and you want to get your dose of culture, many museums and other attractions offer a variety of virtual exhibits. This is an especially great time to explore museums and attractions that are outside of your area and maybe even outside of your country that you ordinarily would not be able to get to because of time and/or money constraints. We will  be doing so as well, and we will be sharing one or more of our virtual visits in today's and future What-To-Do Wednesday posts.

What: BSM25 (The Bata Shoe Museum)

Physical Address: 327 Bloor St. W.
                               Toronto, ON

BSM25 (The Bata Shoe Museum) in Toronto, Canada is completed devoted to the history of footwear. It was started with the personal collection of philanthropist and avid shoe collector, Sonja Bata. Shoes from the collection were first exhibited in 1992 although the  permanent museum did not open until 1995. There are currently over 13,000 shoes in the museum only a small portion of which are on exhibit at any one time. For exhibits that are currently available to participate in online see below.

All About Shoes - This exhibit features stories and artifacts from the museum's collection.

You can learn about :

The Inuits

The history of the high heel

Shoes for different occupations

and more!


On Canadian Ground Stories of Footwear in Early Canada - This exhibits gives you the opportunity to explore footwear worn by natives and immigrants in early Canadian history. Sections include:

Kamiks of the Inuit

Shoes for a New Land

Canadian Footwear in the Age of the Machine

and more!


Standing Tall The Curious History of Men in Heels - This exhibit covers the history of men's heels from the 17th history through today. Shoes covered include:

17th Century Persian Riding Boots

Power Heels

20th Century American Cowboy boots

and more!


The Museum also offers the following:

Mondays: Virtual Exhibits

Tuesdays:  AskCurator and Footwear Trivia - A curator video segment and footwear trivia are offered on the BSM25 Instagram page.

Wednesdays - Online jigsaw puzzles and weekly E-blasts

Thursdays -  More Footwear Trivia on the BSM25 Instagram page

Fridays - Coloring sheets to print out and a feature of the week

Saturdays - More Askcurator video segments

Sundays - Family Crafts to make


There are also BSM Fun Facts, a BMS Book Club, and a YouTube series Unboxing the BSM.

For more or to make your own virtual visit to BSM25, visit batashoemuseum.ca.

Tune in tomorrow for Theater Thursday.

Stay well! Stay safe!

photo credits:

photo credit 1: [◉”] Enrique Céspedes The Bata Show Museum via photopin (license)

photo credit 2: Tomato Geezer 13.BataMuseum.NB.jpg via photopin (license)

What-To-Do Wednesday - Virtual Visits - The Warhawk Air Museum

If you want to get your dose of culture while being stuck inside, many museums and other attractions offer a variety of virtual exhibits. This is an especially great time to explore museums and attractions that are outside of your area and maybe even outside of your country that you ordinarily would not be able to get to because of time and/or money constraints. We will doing so as well, and we will be sharing one or more of our virtual visits in today's and future What-To-Do Wednesday posts.

What: The Warhawk Air Museum

Physical address: 201 Municipal Way
                               Nampa, ID

The Warhawk Air Museum was started in 1989 as place to preserve military history. It was originally meant to be a tribute to the veterans of World Wars I and II. It eventually grew to include other wars including the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War and even the Cold War. Currently, on the website, you can:

Watch a short video that gives a brief overview of the museum.

Take a 360 degree virtual Tour which includes the following sections:


World War I  - 

World War II  - This section is divided into several subsections regarding:

   Pearl Harbor  

   The Home Front

   Mothers Flags

   Marine Corps 

   P-51 Cabinet 

In this section you can also view a video about Maxine Randall, SP (T) 1/C US Navy WAVES.
   
The Cold War -  This section is also divided into several subsections regarding

    Props to Jets

    The Cold War Begins

    Korean War 
  
    The Cold War 

    The Vietnam War
  
    The Helicopter War
   
The Planes - In this section, you can view and learn a little bit about some of the planes in the museum's collection. 

You can learn even more about planes in the museum's collection in a different section of the website devoted to the aviation collection which includes pictures and detailed descriptions of various planes including those listed below:

P51- C Mustang

N3N

MIG 17

F104 Starfighter 

For more visit the Warhawk Air Museum website at warhawkairmuseum.org.*

Tune in tomorrow for Theater Thursday.

Stay well! Stay safe!

*This museum is currently open and in addition to a virtual visit if you live in the area, you can make an in person visit.

Photo credit: photo credit: Feggy Art P-51 Mustang-Duxford Oct 2010 via photopin (license)

Disclaimer: The photo pictured above is similar  model to a plane in the museum's collection but is not actually a plane in the collection

What-To-Do Wednesday - Virtual Visits - Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory

If you want to get your dose of culture while being stuck inside, many museums and other attractions offer a variety of virtual exhibits. This is an especially great time to explore museums and attractions that are outside of your area and maybe even outside of your country that you ordinarily would not be able to get to because of time and/or money constraints. We will doing so as well and  we will be sharing one or more of our virtual visits in today's and future What-To-Do Wednesday posts

What: Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory

Where: 800 W. Main 
             Louisville, KY

Louisville Slugger began in 1864 as a woodworking shop known as J.F. Hillerich, Job Turning.  The company eventually began making bats for young Bud Hillerirch and his friends and later began making bats for professional baseball players. Over the years, numerous baseball players have all had their bats made by the company including Hall-of-Famers like Honus Wagner, Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, Ted Williams and Derek Jeter. The current Louisville Slugger  Factory and Museum opened in 1996 and was renovated in 2008. 

Right now on the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory's website you can:

Learn about some famous baseball players and their bats. 

Hear songs about Joe Dimaggio and Willie Mays

Watch a scene from the movie, Field of Dreams

Learn about a guitar and a bicycle made out of baseball bats

And more!

For more information, visit www.sluggermuseum.com/explore-the-museum/virtual-museum

Tune in tomorrow for Theater Thursday.

Stay well! Stay safe!

photo credts:
photo credit 1: Atelier Teee Louisville Slugger Museum via photopin (license)
photo credit 2: mikerastiello IMG_5165 via photopin (license)

What-To Do Wednesday - Virtual Visits - Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

If you want to get your dose of culture while being stuck inside, many museums and other attractions offer a variety of virtual exhibits. This is an especially great time to explore museums and attractions that are outside of your area and maybe even outside of your country that you ordinarily would not be able to get to because of time and/or money constraints. We will doing so as well and  we will be sharing one or more of our virtual visits in today's and future What-To-Do Wednesday posts

What: Columbus Zoo

Physical Address: 4850 Powell Rd.
                                Powell, OH

The Columbus Zoo which was established in 1927 is the home to over 7,000 animals. Jack Hanna, known for his appearances on the Late Show with David Letterman along with a variety of different animals, was the zoo's director from 1978 through 1993. He is currently the director emeritus. 

Famous inhabitants of the zoo have included the following:

Fluffy -The longest snake in captivity.

Gander - The bonobo whose mother was stranded in the town of Gander, Newfoundland along with thousands of airline passengers and crew members when their planes were grounded in the town in the wake of 9/11. 

Nora - The first polar bear born and raised at the Columbus zoo.

Normally, you can see live views of the Shores and Aquarium exhibit and the Bonobo exhibit on the zoo's website. Currently,  however, the webcams are not operating. Despite this, there is still a lot  to experience online.

There are numerous videos to watch on the zoo's YouTube channel including:

Polar Bear videos like:

Polar Bear Cubs Are Walking 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDZzBMKohO8&t=6s

Wild Life and Wild Places with Tom Stalf videos like:

Silverback Gorilla Health Check

www.youtube.com/watch?v=enRBdGw33rA&t=66s

Elephant videos like:

Beco's First Birthday

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Epkehc9wVE

Assorted other videos like:

The Differences in Cheetah Fur

www.youtube.com/watch?v=a38WZCDTj10

And much more!

You can also learn about a wide variety of animals with the zoo's animal guide which can be found on their website. Here you see over 100 species of animals and learn about them including where they can be found, their physical characteristics, life expectancy, diet, status in the wild and more.

For more information or to begin exploring the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium on your own, visit their website at www.columbuszoo.org or their YouTube page at 
www.youtube.com/user/Columbuszoomedia

Tune in tomorrow for Theater Thursday.

Stay well! Stay safe!

Photo credits:
Photo credit 1:photo credit: Mark Dumont Columbus Zoo - Tiger Cub Closeup via photopin (license)
photo credit 2: Mark Dumont Columbus Zoo - Koala via photopin (license)
photo credit 3: Mark Dumont Columbus Zoo - Grizzly Bears via photopin (license)
photo credit 4: Mark Dumont Columbus Zoo - Red Panda via photopin (license)