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Cambridge Museum Dedicated to the history of Cambridge, NE, and the people of the community.

A few announcements:The museum will CLOSE early today (9/17/2026) ~3:30pm and will likely be CLOSED tomorrow (9/18/2026)...
09/17/2026

A few announcements:
The museum will CLOSE early today (9/17/2026) ~3:30pm and will likely be CLOSED tomorrow (9/18/2026) to attend the history program in Curtis. (see previous post)

Attached photo is the interior of a barber shop in Cambridge likely from early 1900's, the two barbers (... or maybe they could be described as "tonsorial artists"!) are unknown, but the gentleman on the right very likely could be one of Cambridge's most illustrious and active past residents, D.F. Neiswanger.
More about him later!

Mark your calendars! This will no doubt be a fascinating presentation!
09/12/2026

Mark your calendars! This will no doubt be a fascinating presentation!

From January 31st, 1929 Cambridge Clarion newspaper, an interesting ad for a chiropractor right here in Cambridge. This...
09/09/2026

From January 31st, 1929 Cambridge Clarion newspaper, an interesting ad for a chiropractor right here in Cambridge. This would have really been the "wild west" days of chiropractic medicine as it appears the practice only became formal during the 1890's.
Seeing a photo of the local practitioner in the ad is a rarity; and did you notice the continuous sw****ka boarder? This was commonplace in the local newspaper for decades up until just a few years after this ad was published when the connotation shifted as the N***s rose to power and infamy.

It's the dog days of summer, and some of the last to fully enjoy a trip to the lake. While you are doing so, just imagi...
09/05/2026

It's the dog days of summer, and some of the last to fully enjoy a trip to the lake. While you are doing so, just imagine having Lake Lavonia tucked right up against our town of Cambridge. If you need a little air conditioning and local history... you know where to find us! Still open 1PM to 5PM Tuesdays through Sundays.

(Photo of boat and unknown person near a dock on Lake Lavonia. Date unknown but likely 1910's to 1920's.)

A familiar Cambridge landmark. Artwork by the curator.
09/02/2026

A familiar Cambridge landmark. Artwork by the curator.

Something a bit different today for Cambridge history. 119 years ago, about this time, Cambridge held a Chataqua celebr...
08/30/2026

Something a bit different today for Cambridge history. 119 years ago, about this time, Cambridge held a Chataqua celebration and at the top of the bill of festivities was music from Kilties Band of Bellville, Canada. This must have a been quite the visit as the attached article notes them playing the World Fair in St. Louis. And there is much more than that about the band that visited Cambridge. It just so happens there is a video devoted to their history. Just imagine what it must have been like to hear this music and have this band here in our smalltown way back when!

Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OlGacQXQ38

Gearing up for football season? How about this photo of the State Championship winning Cambridge football team of 1920....
08/26/2026

Gearing up for football season? How about this photo of the State Championship winning Cambridge football team of 1920. According to the Cambridge Centennial, this was pre-Trojan era. Our mascot was voted in in 1931 (Trojan votes: 92 / Tigers votes: 65.... yes, we could have been the Cambridge Tigers!). The team you see in the photo had dawned the Cambridge orange and black by that time, though. Also noted in the Centennial is that the school colors were chosen in 1910.

Asking for some special assistance today! We are looking for any family members or relatives of this gentleman, Charles...
08/16/2026

Asking for some special assistance today! We are looking for any family members or relatives of this gentleman, Charles K. Smith. We are under the strong impression he lived in the Cambridge/Furnas County area. Numerous items were brought to us by a caring soul who saved them from being lost for good. Items include pictures and photo albums, Vietnam era Air Force documents, and more. If anyone happens to know any family members, or if you are a family member, we are hoping to return these items. The person who brought them into the museum has stated they would gladly pay for shipping if needed.

Please feel free to message us through facebook or give us a call at the museum: 308-697-4385

Sent to us by Carolyn Ridpath, here is a photo of school children from the Red Top school, in February 1920.Do you have ...
08/09/2026

Sent to us by Carolyn Ridpath, here is a photo of school children from the Red Top school, in February 1920.
Do you have any family members that attended the Red Top school? Would anyone happen to know the district number and where the Red Top was located?
On a side note, remember to take a close look at the very bare background. Not a tree in sight!

Keep your eyes out for some new artwork to beautify our town, it likely won't be too hard to spot!Celebrating art in Cam...
08/01/2026

Keep your eyes out for some new artwork to beautify our town, it likely won't be too hard to spot!
Celebrating art in Cambridge, attached is a rare photo of two sculptors of Cambridge: Sondra Jonson and Gary Ginther. The photo comes from a March 1996 edition of the McCook Gazette.

Address

612 Penn Street
Cambridge, NE
69022

Opening Hours

Tuesday 1pm - 5pm
Wednesday 1pm - 5pm
Thursday 1pm - 5pm
Friday 1pm - 5pm
Saturday 1pm - 5pm
Sunday 1pm - 5pm

Telephone

+13086974385

Website

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