Hastings Museum facts for kids
| Established | 1927 |
|---|---|
| Location | 1330 N Burlington Ave. Hastings, Nebraska |
| Type | Natural history, local history |
The Hastings Museum of Natural and Cultural History is a cool place to visit in Hastings, Nebraska. It's one of the biggest museums run by a city between Chicago and Denver! The museum building was built with help from the Works Progress Administration, a government program, and opened on June 15, 1939.
Inside, you can explore many interesting things. There are exhibits about the history of Kool-Aid, amazing natural history displays with animals, and stories about local history. You can also see old weapons, learn about pioneer life on the Plains, and check out rocks, minerals, fossils, and even antique vehicles. Plus, there's a planetarium where you can learn about space!
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What You Can See at the Museum
The Hastings Museum of Natural and Cultural History shows off the natural world and the history of Hastings, Adams County, and the Great Plains region of Nebraska. It's a great spot to learn about the past and the environment around you.
How the Museum Started
The museum began in 1926 thanks to a person named Albert Brooking. He had a huge collection of Native American artifacts, fossils, and mounted birds. His bird collection was actually one of the largest in the entire United States! When the museum opened, his amazing collections found a home there.
Cool Exhibits to Explore
Besides Albert Brooking's original collections, the museum has many other fun exhibits. You can see detailed natural history dioramas, which are like 3D scenes showing animals in their natural homes. There's also a large collection of old weapons.
One of the most famous exhibits tells the story of Edwin Perkins. He was a local person who invented the popular drink Kool-Aid in 1927! It's pretty neat to see how a famous drink was created right there in Hastings.
Special Events and Other Resources
The museum hosts a special Native American festival every year. It's a chance to learn about Native American cultures and traditions. The Hastings Public Library and the Adams County Historical Society are also located at the museum. This means you can find even more books and historical records right there!
Other Museums Nearby
If you enjoy the Hastings Museum, there are other cool museums in Nebraska you might like to visit:
- List of museums in Nebraska
- Pioneer Village, which is about 30 miles west in Minden, Nebraska.
- Nebraska Prairie Museum, located about 55 miles west in Holdrege, Nebraska.
- Stuhr Museum, also known as the Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer, in Grand Island, Nebraska.
