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List of museums in Nebraska facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Nebraska is full of awesome museums! These special places collect and take care of interesting objects. They can be about art, science, history, or different cultures. Museums let everyone see these cool collections and learn new things. This list will help you discover some of the best museums in Nebraska.

Cool Museums to Explore

  • Agate Fossil Beds National Monument (Harrison): Discover incredible fossils and learn about ancient animals that once roamed Nebraska. You can also see artifacts from Native American history.
  • American Historical Society of Germans From Russia Cultural Heritage Research Center (Lincoln): This open-air museum shows what life was like for German immigrants from Russia. It has old buildings like a chapel, a summer kitchen, and a general store.
  • Angel De Cora Museum and Research Center (Winnebago): Learn about the rich history and culture of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. See photos, artwork, arrowheads, and beautiful beadwork.
  • Arbor Day Farm (Nebraska City): A fun nature center focusing on trees and the environment. It's a great place to explore and learn about nature.
  • Arbor Lodge State Historical Park and Arboretum (Nebraska City): Visit a historic mansion, see old carriages, and explore beautiful gardens and trails.
  • Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park (Royal): See real fossil excavations happening right before your eyes! This museum is part of the University of Nebraska State Museum and shows amazing ancient animal remains.
  • Bank of Florence Museum (Omaha): Step back in time at this restored pioneer bank. See the old vault and how bank managers used to live.
  • Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts (Omaha): Explore modern art in many forms, including video, installations, and performance art. They have over 20 exhibitions each year!
  • Bone Creek Museum of Agrarian Art (David City): This unique museum showcases art that celebrates agriculture and farm life.
  • Boys Town (Omaha): Learn about the history of this famous organization that helps children and families. You can see Father Flanagan's restored home and a stamp museum.
  • Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park (North Platte): Visit the home of the legendary Buffalo Bill Cody, also known as Scout's Rest. Learn about his life and the Wild West.
  • Butler County Veterans Museum (David City): This museum honors military veterans.
  • Captain Bailey House (Brownville): Explore a beautiful 19th-century house that shows how people lived long ago.
  • Carnegie Arts Center (Alliance): A community hub for art, featuring various changing exhibits.
  • Children's Museum of Central Nebraska (Hastings): A hands-on museum designed for kids to play and learn.
  • Chimney Rock National Historic Site (Bayard): Learn about the pioneers and their journeys west. This site has exhibits about the famous migrations.
  • Civil War Veterans Museum at the G.A.R. Memorial Hall (Nebraska City): Discover the history of the Civil War and the veterans who fought in it.
  • Classic Car Collection (Kearney): See a fantastic collection of classic cars!
  • Cody Park Railroad Museum (North Platte): Explore real train engines, including a steam locomotive and a diesel locomotive. You can also see a restored railroad depot and old rail cars.
  • Corps of Discovery Welcome Center (Crofton): Learn about the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the geology of the Missouri River, and how the Gavins Point Dam was built.
  • Durham Museum (Omaha): Dive into the history of the western United States. This museum is full of fascinating stories and exhibits.
  • Edgerton Explorit Center (Aurora): A hands-on science museum where you can experiment and discover new things.
  • El Museo Latino (Omaha): Celebrate Latino and Hispanic art and history at this vibrant museum.
  • Eleanor Barbour Cook Museum of Geology (Chadron): Part of Chadron State College, this museum has amazing fossils, rocks, and minerals.
  • Elkhorn Valley Museum (Norfolk): Explore local history, see a gallery dedicated to Johnny Carson, and enjoy a children's discovery center.
  • Fort Atkinson State Historical Park (Fort Calhoun): Visit a restored fort and sometimes see living history demonstrations, where people dress up and act like they did in the past.
  • Fort Cody Trading Post (North Platte): This unique store has a miniature Wild West show and a museum with old weapons, clothing, and natural history displays.
  • Fort Hartsuff State Historical Park (Burwell): Another restored fort with seasonal living history demonstrations.
  • Fort Kearny State Historical Park (Kearney): See a recreated stockade and learn about the famous Oregon Trail.
  • Fort Robinson Museum (Crawford): Located inside Fort Robinson State Park, this museum tells the story of military life at the fort.
  • Freedom Park (Omaha): An outdoor park with cool military ships and aircraft, including a submarine and a minesweeper!
  • Gage County Museum (Beatrice): Housed in an old railroad depot, this museum shares the history of local industries, businesses, and people.
  • General Crook House Museum (Omaha): Tour an elegant 1880s Victorian home.
  • Genoa U.S. Indian School Museum (Genoa): Learn about the history of this former boarding school for Native American youth.
  • George W. Frank House (Kearney): Explore an impressive 1880s mansion and see artifacts from Nebraska's history.
  • Great Plains Art Museum (Lincoln): Part of University of Nebraska–Lincoln, this museum is dedicated to art from the Great Plains region.
  • Great Plains Black History Museum (North Omaha): Discover the rich history of African Americans in the Great Plains.
  • Great Platte River Road Archway Monument (Kearney): Learn about Nebraska's important role in the westward expansion of the United States.
  • Hastings Museum (Hastings): This museum has a wide variety of exhibits, including the history of Kool-Aid, natural history displays, pioneer life, and antique vehicles. It even has a planetarium!
  • Heartland Museum of Military Vehicles (Lexington): See a large collection of military vehicles like helicopters, tanks, and jeeps, along with weapons and uniforms.
  • Heritage Park (Henderson): An open-air museum with a period farmhouse and a heritage house of Russian Mennonite immigrants.
  • Homestead National Monument of America (Beatrice): Learn about the Homestead Act and the brave pioneers who settled the land.
  • Howard County Historical Village (Saint Paul): An open-air village with old buildings like a church, school, store, and blacksmith shop.
  • Hudson-Meng Bison Kill (Crawford): See ongoing excavations of an ancient bison kill site.
  • International Quilt Study Center & Museum (Lincoln): Part of University of Nebraska–Lincoln, this museum has a beautiful collection of quilts from America, Europe, and around the world.
  • John G. Neihardt State Historic Site (Bancroft): Visit the study and museum of the famous poet John Neihardt.
  • Joslyn Art Museum (Omaha): Explore art from the 19th and 20th centuries, including American, European, Western, and Native American art.
  • Joslyn Castle (Omaha): Tour a historic castle in Omaha.
  • Kearney Area Children’s Museum (Kearney): Another fun, interactive museum designed just for kids.
  • Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts (Nebraska City): See changing art exhibits in this community arts center.
  • Klown Doll Museum (Plainview): A unique collection of clown dolls and figurines.
  • Knight Museum and Sand Hills Center (Alliance): Learn about life in the Sandhills, Native American culture, and the history of railroads.
  • Kregel Windmill Museum (Nebraska City): Explore a factory and a collection of old water-pumping windmills.
  • Legacy of the Plains Museum (Gering): Discover the history of agriculture and pioneer life in the plains. See antique tractors and farm tools.
  • Lester F. Larsen Tractor Museum (Lincoln): Part of University of Nebraska–Lincoln, this museum showcases historic tractors and tractor testing equipment.
  • Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Headquarters and Visitor Center (Omaha): Learn about the famous explorers, Lewis and Clark, and their journey.
  • Lewis and Clark Visitor Center (Crofton): Discover the history of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the geology of the Missouri River, and the construction of the Gavins Point Dam.
  • Lincoln Children's Museum (Lincoln): A fantastic place for kids to explore, play, and learn through hands-on exhibits.
  • Lincoln County Historical Museum (North Platte): An open-air museum with many exhibits, including a World War II canteen display, old offices, and a model railroad. It also has historic buildings like a Pony Express log cabin and a schoolhouse.
  • Love’s Jazz and Art Center (Omaha): Celebrate African American art, culture, jazz, and history.
  • Louis E. May Museum (Fremont): Tour a beautiful late 19th-century mansion.
  • Lux Center for the Arts (Lincoln): Features contemporary art, craft, and design.
  • Mansion on the Hill (Ogallala): Visit an impressive 1887 Victorian mansion.
  • Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center (Chadron): Part of Chadron State College, this center explores the life and writings of Mari Sandoz and the culture of the High Plains.
  • Mayhew Cabin & Historic Village (Nebraska City): An 1855 cabin that was a site along the Underground Railroad, also known as John Brown's Cave.
  • Missouri River Basin Lewis & Clark Interpretive Trail & Visitors Center (Nebraska City): See a replica of a keelboat and learn about the discoveries made by the Lewis & Clark expedition.
  • Mormon Trail Center (Omaha): Learn about the history of Mormon pioneers.
  • Museum of American Speed (Lincoln): A cool museum dedicated to racing and hot rodding cars, engines, and parts.
  • Museum of Nebraska Major League Baseball (Saint Paul): Discover the history of baseball in Nebraska.
  • Museum of Nebraska Art (Kearney): This is Nebraska's official state art museum, part of University of Nebraska at Kearney.
  • Museum of Nebraska History (Lincoln): Explore the history of the entire state of Nebraska.
  • Museum of Missouri River History (Brownville): Housed inside the museum ship Captain Meriwether Lewis, this museum tells the story of the Missouri River.
  • Museum of the Fur Trade (Chadron): Learn about the history of the fur trade industry.
  • National Museum of Roller Skating (Lincoln): A unique museum dedicated to the history of roller skating!
  • Nebraska City Museum Of Firefighting (Nebraska City): See historic firefighting vehicles, equipment, and uniforms.
  • Nebraska Firefighters Museum and Education Center (Kearney): Learn about the history of firefighting in Nebraska.
  • Nebraska Governor's Mansion (Lincoln): The historic home of Nebraska's governors.
  • Nebraska Prairie Museum (Holdrege): This museum has exhibits on period clothing, antique toys, farm equipment, and even a World War II German POW exhibit.
  • Nebraska School for Deaf Museum (Omaha): Learn about the history of the school and deaf culture.
  • Neligh Mill State Historic Site (Neligh): Visit a restored 1880s water-powered grist mill.
  • North Platte Area Children's Museum (North Platte): Another great children's museum with interactive exhibits.
  • Old Freighters Museum (Nebraska City): Learn about the history of transportation and its importance to the community in this mid-19th century house.
  • Omaha Children's Museum (Omaha): A large, interactive children's museum with many hands-on exhibits.
  • Pawnee City Historical Society & Museum (Pawnee City): An open-air museum with historic buildings.
  • Pedal Clinic (Pawnee City): See a collection of restored antique pedal cars and tractors.
  • Petrified Wood Gallery (Ogallala): Explore ancient woods and fossils from around the world, plus Native American arrowheads.
  • Pierson Wildlife Museum Learning Center (Neligh): See amazing mounted big game trophy dioramas.
  • Pioneer Village (Minden): A huge open-air museum with 28 historic buildings, including frontier homes, early cars, airplanes, and farm equipment.
  • Plainsman Museum (Aurora): Learn about the everyday life of plains settlers, agricultural history, and see period rooms and shops.
  • Polish Heritage Center (Ashton): Discover Polish history and culture, and learn about the Polish settlers in the area.
  • Ponca State Park (Ponca): Includes the Missouri National Recreational River Resource and Education Center, with exhibits about the Missouri River.
  • Ponca Tribal Museum and Library (Niobrara): Learn about the history and culture of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska. See photos, headdresses, tools, and musical instruments.
  • Pony Express Station (Gothenburg): Visit sites of former Pony Express stations.
  • Prairie Country School (Murdock): Step inside an 1890s-period one-room schoolhouse.
  • River Country Nature Center (Nebraska City): See nature dioramas, animal mounts, and Native American artifacts.
  • Riverside Discovery Center (Scottsbluff): A park and zoo that will include natural history displays.
  • Robert Henri Museum (Cozad): Visit the childhood home of artist Robert Henri and see a large collection of his original artworks.
  • Rock Creek Station State Historical Park (Endicott): See reconstructed buildings of a road ranch, Pony Express Station, and Stagecoach stop along the Oregon Trail.
  • Rock Island Depot Railroad Museum (Fairbury): Learn about the Rock Island Railroad with artifacts and history.
  • Sallows Military Museum (Alliance): Features flags, helmets, gas masks, medals, uniforms, and other military items.
  • Sandhills Museum (Valentine): See collections of pre-1928 cars, firearms, farm machinery, and even a calf with two heads and five legs!
  • Sarpy County Museum (Bellevue): Exhibits include period rooms, Native American artifacts, and a model of historic Fort Crook.
  • Saunders County Museum (Wahoo): An open-air museum with displays about famous people from the area and historic buildings like a log home, schoolhouse, and church.
  • Schramm Park State Recreation Area (Gretna): Includes a fish hatchery museum and an aquarium with fish, reptiles, and amphibians.
  • Scotts Bluff National Monument (Gering): Features the Oregon Trail Museum and Visitor Center, with art by William Henry Jackson.
  • Senator George Norris State Historic Site (McCook): Visit the home of the important politician George W. Norris.
  • Seward County Historical Society Museum (Goehner): Includes a main museum, a historic house, a schoolhouse, and antique farm equipment.
  • Sheldon Museum of Art (Lincoln): Part of University of Nebraska–Lincoln, this museum focuses on American art.
  • Silver Hills Museum (Oshkosh): Also known as the Opera House Museum, it features a bird collection and period rooms.
  • Sod House Museum (Gothenburg): See a real sod house, the world's largest plow, and a bison made of barbed wire.
  • Steele City Museum (Steele City): An open-air museum with a working blacksmith shop, livery barn, school, bank, and an 1880s stone church.
  • Strategic Air and Space Museum (Ashland): Explore United States Air Force military aircraft and nuclear missiles. It's a huge museum with amazing planes!
  • Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer (Grand Island): This museum offers immersive historical experiences. You can visit Railroad Town, which is open from May to September, and see many permanent and changing exhibits.
  • Swedish Heritage Center (Oakland): Learn about Swedish culture and see memorabilia from Swedish immigrants.
  • Thayer County Museum (Belvidere): Includes local history displays, period rooms, and an agriculture building with farm tools.
  • Thomas P. Kennard House (Lincoln): A beautiful 1870s Victorian house.
  • A Touch Of The Past Museum (De Witt): A private collection of arrowheads, buffalo skulls, Native American jewelry, old newspapers, and antique farm equipment.
  • Trails & Rails Museum (Kearney): An open-air museum with a depot, steam engine, caboose, and historic buildings like a ranch house, hotel, church, and schoolhouse.
  • Trailside Museum of Natural History (Crawford): Located inside Fort Robinson State Park, this museum has fossils from Ashfall Fossil Beds and the area around the fort.
  • Tri-State Old Time Cowboys Memorial Museum (Gordon): Learn about ranching and cowboy life with artifacts and historical displays.
  • University of Nebraska State Museum (Lincoln): Part of University of Nebraska–Lincoln, this museum has amazing fossils, dinosaurs, wildlife dioramas, gems, minerals, and exhibits on American Indian and African cultures.
  • Verdigre Heritage Museum (Verdigre): An open-air museum with four buildings, including a jail and a grist mill.
  • Washington County Museum (Fort Calhoun): Explores local history and offers tours of the early 20th-century Frahm House.
  • Wayne County Museum (Wayne): Focuses on local history.
  • Weeping Water Museum (Weeping Water): Learn about Native American culture, frontier life, fossils, geology, and old businesses.
  • Wessels Living History Farm (York): A working farm with a 1925 period farmhouse, barn, tractor museum, and windmill.
  • Wheel Museum (Brownville): See horse-drawn vehicles, farming equipment, and more.
  • Wilber Czech Museum (Wilber): Celebrates Czech culture with dolls, clothing, household items, and replicas of early immigrant homes.
  • Wildwood Historic Center (Nebraska City): A beautiful 1869 Victorian house with an art gallery.
  • Willa Cather State Historic Site (Red Cloud): Explore the home of famous author Willa Cather and other sites important to her life and works.
  • William Jennings Bryan House (Lincoln): The home of the famous speaker William Jennings Bryan, also known as Fairview.
  • Willow Point Gallery (Ashland): A commercial art gallery that also features natural history dioramas of big game animals.
  • York Area Children's Museum (York): A children's museum for fun and learning.

Museums That Are No Longer Open

  • Frank H. Woods Telephone Museum, Lincoln: This museum closed in 2018.
  • Lentz Center for Asian Culture, Lincoln: Part of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, it is no longer open to the public.
  • National Korean War Museum, Oxford: This museum opened and closed in 2005.
  • VietNam War National Museum, Nelson: This museum is no longer open.
  • Wildlife World, Gering: Also known as WyoBraska Natural History Museum, its collections are moving to the Riverside Discovery Center in Scottsbluff.

See also

  • Nature Centers in Nebraska

Resources

  • Central Nebraska Adventures
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