Hi Craig, this site (
http://www.middlechambersociety.com/) is a good start. If I compared this to the other website that I just reviewed a minute ago your site is really much better better. I'm not a graphic or animation addict when it comes to the design or development. What I want to achieve in all my projects is to have "wow effect" on its simplicity. Layout and usability are the 2-most of important thing for me. This is why I purchase magazines and look at those billboard while driving. This materials provide me some inspiration or concept. You are not copying their ideas but as I always said we sometimes need to admire other works for us to be better. I myself don't have a formal training, just read books, search the web and do your stuff with passion and you are a web designer
