General Crook House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Gen. George Crook House
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| Location | 5730 North 30th Street, Omaha, Nebraska |
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| Built | 1879 |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 69000131 |
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1969 |
Welcome to the General George Crook House Museum! This amazing historic home is found inside Fort Omaha, a special place in the Miller Park area of North Omaha, Nebraska. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1969, which means it's a really important historical building. It's also a key part of the Fort Omaha Historic District.
Contents
The General Crook House: A Historic Home
Building a Commander's Home
In 1878, a famous military leader named General George Crook moved his main office, called the Department of the Platte, from downtown Omaha to Fort Omaha. The General Crook House was built in 1879. It was designed to be the home for the fort's top commander.
The house has two stories and was built in a style called Italianate. This means it has a classic, grand look, often with wide eaves and tall windows. It also has a beautiful garden around it. The building has a unique shape and is in great condition. A long porch sticks out from the front, making it even more welcoming.
Famous Visitors and New Uses
General George Crook was the only commander who lived in the house for a long time. After he left, his military department was closed down. But the house continued to be important!
In November 1879, General Crook and his wife hosted a very special guest: General Ulysses S. Grant and his wife. Grant was a hero from the American Civil War and a former President! Then, in September 1880, President Rutherford B. Hayes even stayed there while visiting the troops at the Fort.
After General Crook moved on, the house became home to other commanders of Fort Omaha. Later, in 1905, it was used as a social club and dining hall for officers. But in 1930, it became the post commander's home again. It stayed that way until Fort Omaha closed in 1973.
The Crook House is actually the oldest building in Omaha that was built as a private home. In 1970, it was named a Nebraska State Historical Site, showing how important it is to the state's history.
Visiting the Museum Today
The Douglas County Historical Society worked hard to restore the house in the 1980s. They filled it with furniture from the time period when General Crook lived there. They also brought back its beautiful Victorian gardens, making them look just as they did long ago.
Today, the General George Crook House Museum is open to everyone! You can take tours to learn about its history and see how people lived back then. It's also used for special events, making it a lively part of Omaha's past and present.
See also
