Trailside Museum of Natural History facts for kids
|
Army Theatre
|
|
|
U.S. National Historic Landmark District
Contributing Property |
|
Trailside Museum of Natural History
|
|
 Location in Nebraska
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Crawford, Nebraska |
|---|---|
| Built | 1904 |
| Architect | Army Corps of Engineers |
| Part of | Fort Robinson and Red Cloud Agency (ID66000442) |
| MPS | Opera House Buildings in Nebraska 1867-1917 MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 88000930 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | July 7, 1988 |
| Designated NHLDCP | October 15, 1966 |
The Trailside Museum of Natural History is located inside the historic Army Theatre building. You can find it at Fort Robinson State Park, which is about three miles west of Crawford, Nebraska on U.S. Route 20.
History of the Army Theatre
This building was once a busy place for soldiers at the Fort Robinson army base. It served as both a theater and a gymnasium. Soldiers could watch movies, enjoy boxing matches, or attend dances here.
By 1917, cars and movie theaters outside the base became more popular. Soldiers started finding entertainment elsewhere. Because of this, the building was used only as a gym.
In 1955, the University of Nebraska took over the building. They opened the Trailside Museum at Fort Robinson in 1961. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. It is also part of the larger Fort Robinson and Red Cloud Agency historic area.
What You Can See at the Museum
The museum is famous for its amazing collection of fossils. The most exciting display features the skeletons of two huge mammoths. These mammoths were about 14 feet tall! They were found nearby and seem to have gotten their tusks stuck together during a fight. Sadly, they both starved to death because they couldn't get free.
You can also see other cool fossils from animals that lived in Nebraska millions of years ago. These include ancient creatures like the Daeodon and the three-toed horse. These exhibits were put together by paleontologists Mark Marcusson and Gregory Brownde.
See also
In Spanish: Museo de historia natural de Fort Robinson State Park para niños
