Museum of The High Plains

06/18/2026

06/12/2026

This year’s Buffalo Commons Bus Tour heads to North Platte, where participants will explore the historic Canteen District and learn how local women’s clubs came together to give “a taste of home” to service members heading off to war.

McCook played its own remarkable role in this story. Located along the CB&Q Railroad route, the McCook Canteen operated daily from June 4, 1942, to March 18, 1946. Volunteers from communities across Southwest Nebraska prepared sandwiches, cakes, and cookies—often using their own ration stamps—and shared fruit, gum, magazines, and heartfelt encouragement.

By the end of World War II, the McCook Canteen had served an astonishing 700,000 American servicemen. It remains one of the region’s most inspiring examples of community generosity and wartime support.

06/08/2026

We are excited to host Deb Carpenter Nolting with this educational and entertaining event this coming Sunday! Please join us for this free event.

05/26/2026

Since 1971, Memorial Day has been observed on the last Monday of May.

However, the roots of Memorial Day, then known as Decoration Day, date back to the Civil War era. Local commemorations, the first of which were organized by women and African Americans, involved laying flowers on the graves of soldiers who perished during the war.

More on the origins of Memorial Day: https://s.si.edu/3RHmNUN

📷: “Decoration Day: They Gave Their All” postcard, Archives Center, Warshaw Collection of Business Americana

05/21/2026

We are OPEN tonight until 8pm. Stop in for an informative "name that vintage medical tool" activity!

05/09/2026

Great interview with long-time resident and past president of the High Plains Historical Society!

McCOOK, Neb. -- In McCook, lifelong resident John Hubert is known as a longtime businessman, a reliable staple in community life and the man at the wheel of the old fire engine in the Heritage Days Parade. What is unknown to many is that Hubert is among the few men who can say that they held the job...

05/02/2026

This is a great program to learn about all of the things to do in Nebraska this summer.