Stuhr Museum

Stuhr Museum Sharing the collective human experience of community building along the Platte River Valley. Begin your visit in the Stuhr Building.
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Praised as “one of the top ’10′ places to relive America’s past” by Good Housekeeping magazine, Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer offers a hands-on living history experience that tells the story of early town building in Nebraska. Stuhr Museum is a world-class, nationally recognized educational and cultural institution, and an outdoor living history museum. For more than forty years, Stuhr Museu

m of the Prairie Pioneer has given visitors a glimpse of pioneer life. Described as a “crossroads in time,” Stuhr Museum preserves and portrays the inspiring story of the pioneer town builders who created the first communities in Nebraska. The pioneers who challenged the land did not think their story remarkable, but visitors and students are amazed at the spirit and accomplishments of common people who shared a vision for the future and built satisfying and productive lives on the prairie. Since 1961, Stuhr Museum has collected and preserved historical objects and information relating to life in Nebraska’s prairie communities from the 1840s through 1920. These artifacts-the buildings and the objects-are important tools to bring history to life and enable today’s citizens to understand the economic, political, and cultural development of these plains communities. As such, they play a key role in Stuhr’s “living history” and educational programs. These programs focus on the diversity of Nebraska’s heritage, not just the dates and patterns of settlement but on the people, their lives, hopes, and ethnic background. These historical artifacts are a tangible part of this heritage and help make this story real to the museum’s visitors. Open year-round, the stately Stuhr Building was designed by the late, world-renowned architect Edward Durell Stone. The Stuhr Building’s many indoor exhibits of period rooms, tools, household articles and furnishings introduce visitors to Nebraska’s history by tracing pioneer lifestyles from 1880 to 1920. The museum’s attractive main building also houses the Prairie Treasures Gift Shop and ever-changing exhibits on a year-round basis. Elegant marble floors, graceful twin spiral staircases and four stylish fountains enable you to tour in a peaceful environment. Prairie Treasures carries a wide assortment of unique gift items, Nebraska items, goodies, keepsakes, jewelry, postcards, and a substantial selection of books on Great Plains history and people.

Thank you to our Farm to Table Homesteader Partner, Hornady Manufacturing, for helping Stuhr preserve our shared history...
09/02/2026

Thank you to our Farm to Table Homesteader Partner, Hornady Manufacturing, for helping Stuhr preserve our shared history and keep its stories alive for generations.

🌻 Fall Festival is just around the corner! 🌽Get ready for a full day celebrating Nebraska’s agricultural heritage at Stu...
09/02/2026

🌻 Fall Festival is just around the corner! 🌽

Get ready for a full day celebrating Nebraska’s agricultural heritage at Stuhr Museum on September 19! The Fall Festival features the Nebraska State Hand Cornhusking Contest, 1896 Railroad Town Agricultural Fair, and Fall Tractor Show — a perfect day to celebrate the traditions that helped shape our state.

And if you want to show your Cornhusking pride, there’s still a little bit of time to order your 2026 Nebraska State Hand Cornhusking Contest tee! This year’s design honors Nebraska’s agricultural history with a patriotic theme celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. 𝗣𝗿𝗲-𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝘂𝗲 𝗯𝘆 𝗺𝗶𝗱𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟯! Order your tee here-> https://q.me-qr.com/xmiluc6f

T-shirts can be picked up at the Cornhusking Contest on September 19 or shipped directly to you - just let us know how you’d like to receive your tee at checkout. And yes, you can still order the 2024 and 2025 designs, too!

Are you interested in joining the Cornhusking Contest or exhibiting items at the Agricultural Fair? More info can be found on our website here-> https://q.me-qr.com/jzwgtdhv

September is National Firefighter Appreciation Month, and in honor and recognition of the firefighters of the past, this...
08/31/2026

September is National Firefighter Appreciation Month, and in honor and recognition of the firefighters of the past, this month we will take a quick look at the volunteer Hose Companies of Grand Island that started it all. This week we look at Pacific Hose Company No. 1.

The company was formed in March 1880 and they headquartered with the Always Ready Hook & Ladder Co. at City Hall. Pictured in this image dated 1884 are the unidentified Foreman on the left, and August Niess, Assistant Foreman on the right. The two men each lean on firemen’s trumpet, which were used by firemen shout orders that can be heard over the noise of a fire scene.

The Grand Island Independent of Friday May 9, 1884, p. 4 reported that the Pacific Hose Co. No. 1 owned the following equipment: One four-wheel hose Carriage, 500 feet White anchor hose, 2 nickel plated nozzles, 2 nickel plated Spanners, 1 fire axe, 1 nickel lantern, 2 brass lanterns, 1 two-wheel racing jumper and 1 “Pioneer” ballot box. The newspaper noted that all of the apparatus was in good working order.

Printed on the back of the photograph in the photographer’s logo is: “M. Murphy — Photographer — Grand Island, Neb.”

Stuhr Museum's Fall Festival is just around the corner! Join us Saturday, September 19, for a full day of fall fun featu...
08/30/2026

Stuhr Museum's Fall Festival is just around the corner! Join us Saturday, September 19, for a full day of fall fun featuring three great events in one!

🎪 𝟭𝟴𝟵𝟬𝘀 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗿
The fair is hitting the road! This year, the 1896 Railroad Town Agricultural Fair is moving out to the 1890s Farmstead near the cornhusking field, bringing the sights, sounds, and spirit of a historic agricultural fair to the heart of the action. Come explore, enjoy the activities and entertainment, and bring your entries for judging! There is no fee to enter. For information about exhibiting, visit https://q.me-qr.com/jzwgtdhv

🌽 𝗡𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗮 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗵𝘂𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁
A Nebraska tradition for more than 100 years, the Cornhusking Contest is part competition, part spectacle, and a whole lot of fun! Open to huskers of all ages and skill levels, the contest serves as a qualifying event for the National Cornhusking Contest. The entry fee is $25 before the contest or $35 on the day of. Register by September 3 to guarantee your T-shirt and preferred size. More info and registration here: https://q.me-qr.com/jzwgtdhv

🚜 𝗙𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄
Come see a great lineup of tractors and antique farm machinery while celebrating the machines that helped shape Nebraska agriculture! Be sure to stick around for the Tractor Parade at 1 pm. Want to bring a tractor of your own? Call Joel for more information about entering the show at (308) 385-5316.

Come celebrate fall, agriculture, and Nebraska history with us!

𝗙𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗵𝗿 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗺
𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟵, 𝟭𝟬 𝗮𝗺 - 𝟰 𝗽𝗺
Fall Festival activities included with regular daily admission.

𝟭𝟬 𝗗𝗔𝗬𝗦 𝗟𝗘𝗙𝗧 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘼 𝙇𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙒𝙞𝙡𝙙! Time is running out to experience the breathtaking photography of Thomas ...
08/29/2026

𝟭𝟬 𝗗𝗔𝗬𝗦 𝗟𝗘𝗙𝗧 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘼 𝙇𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙒𝙞𝙡𝙙!

Time is running out to experience the breathtaking photography of Thomas D. Mangelsen at Stuhr Museum. From intimate wildlife moments to sweeping scenes of the natural world, 𝘈 𝘓𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘪𝘭𝘥 showcases 40 remarkable images captured over decades of patience, persistence, and time spent in the wild.

The exhibition closes September 7, so don’t miss your chance to see these incredible photographs in person before they’re gone!

Stuhr Museum is open 9 am - 4 pm daily, including Labor Day. For full details on our hours and admission, visit https://q.me-qr.com/Yc6z7KRn

Tonight is the last Fri-YAY Night of the summer at Stuhr Museum! We're closing out this chapter with a showing of "The K...
08/28/2026

Tonight is the last Fri-YAY Night of the summer at Stuhr Museum!

We're closing out this chapter with a showing of "The Kid," Charlie Chaplin's beloved silent comedy from 1921. This showing will be extra special, too, as it will be presented with both English and Spanish text on the screen. And that’s one of the special things about silent cinema - you don’t need to speak the same language to enjoy the story, the comedy, and the characters. The film starts at dusk in Railroad Town, and we hope you will join us!

Fri-YAY Nights at Stuhr
More time to explore. More time together.
1/2 price admission from 4-8 pm!

With tremendous gratitude to Hornady Manufacturing for their generous support of Farm to Table and their continued inves...
08/24/2026

With tremendous gratitude to Hornady Manufacturing for their generous support of Farm to Table and their continued investment in the work of Stuhr Museum.
https://www.hornady.com/

This photograph shows the home of the August Niess Family in 1896, which was located on that date at 307 S. Spruce St. (...
08/24/2026

This photograph shows the home of the August Niess Family in 1896, which was located on that date at 307 S. Spruce St. (before the “Great Address Shift of 1926” – that’s another story). This photograph was from the personal scrapbook of Otto Niess. Writing on the back said the house was located south of the Bell Telephone Company, in what is now a parking lot for the old Elks Club Building.

The people pictured were identified on the back of the picture as Emma (Stelk) Niess, born 1863, daughter of Peter & Anna (Pieper) Stelk, wife of August Niess. The tallest child is Marie Helena Niess, born 1886, who later married Axel Emus Carlson in 1910, the middle boy is Theodore Henry Niess, born 1889, who later married Alice Elizabeth Wagner, and the smallest boy is Richard Ernest Niess, born 1894. August Niess served Grand Island as a police officer and as a member of the city’s volunteer fire department Always-Ready Hook & Ladder Co.

If you're planning to join us for tonight's Picnics & 1896 Politics Potluck, please be aware that we're moving the progr...
08/21/2026

If you're planning to join us for tonight's Picnics & 1896 Politics Potluck, please be aware that we're moving the program to the Stuhr Building due to the forecasted rain for today. The program schedule is the same, just a slight location change. In addition, Railroad Town will close at 5:30 pm. We'll see you tonight!

🍽️ 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝘂𝗰𝗸!

As summer comes to an end, join us for a special potluck-style dinner and our “1896 Politics” program this Fri-YAY Night on August 21. We’ll provide chicken and tableware; you bring a dish to share. Regular museum admission applies. (Don’t forget — 1/2 price admission from 4–8 pm on Fri-YAYs!)

𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗥𝗦𝗩𝗣 𝗕𝗬 𝗪𝗘𝗗𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗗𝗔𝗬, 𝗔𝗨𝗚𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝟭𝟵 to help us plan for the evening.
RSVP here: https://q.me-qr.com/iq39d69e

Since we’ll be enjoying our meal outdoors, we recommend bringing a dish that travels well and can be served without needing to stay hot or cold.

𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗗𝗨𝗟𝗘
6:00 pm: Food line opens
6:30–7:00 pm: “1896 Politics” program

𝗙𝗿𝗶-𝗬𝗔𝗬 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗵𝗿
More time to explore. More time together.
Open until 8 pm on Fridays with 1/2 price admission from 4–8 pm!

🍽️ 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝘂𝗰𝗸!As summer comes to an end, join us for a special potluck-style dinner and our “1896 Politics” p...
08/17/2026

🍽️ 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝘂𝗰𝗸!

As summer comes to an end, join us for a special potluck-style dinner and our “1896 Politics” program this Fri-YAY Night on August 21. We’ll provide chicken and tableware; you bring a dish to share. Regular museum admission applies. (Don’t forget — 1/2 price admission from 4–8 pm on Fri-YAYs!)

𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗥𝗦𝗩𝗣 𝗕𝗬 𝗪𝗘𝗗𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗗𝗔𝗬, 𝗔𝗨𝗚𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝟭𝟵 to help us plan for the evening.
RSVP here: https://q.me-qr.com/iq39d69e

Since we’ll be enjoying our meal outdoors, we recommend bringing a dish that travels well and can be served without needing to stay hot or cold.

𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗗𝗨𝗟𝗘
6:00 pm: Food line opens
6:30–7:00 pm: “1896 Politics” program

𝗙𝗿𝗶-𝗬𝗔𝗬 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗵𝗿
More time to explore. More time together.
Open until 8 pm on Fridays with 1/2 price admission from 4–8 pm!

Address

3133 W US Highway 34 Ste 1
Grand Island, NE
68801

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 8pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm
Sunday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

(308) 385-5316

Website

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