The Museum has many collections which cannot be exhibited all of the time. These are exhibited at special times and the exhibits are changed regularly. The Museum also hosts many special events including the Annual Wagons West Day in June and a Christmas Tree Walk in December.
Some of the displays in the permanent collection include the following.
District No. 1 School House: Pioneers traveling on the Mormon Trail settled in eastern Buffalo County. They organized the county's first school district and, in 1871, built this school. It was the first frame schoolhouse to be completed in the county.
Engine No. 481: 1903 Baldwin Stream Engine No. 481, Union Pacific Flat Car & Caboose.
Union Pacific Depot: The museum building is the Union Pacific depot, moved from Shelton on the east edge of Buffalo COunty. Built in 1898. The waiting room and ticket office have been restored to appear as they did when the depot was in use. The baggage room has been converted into an exhibit room showing the history of wagon, train and auto transportation in and through Buffalo County.
Loup River Freighters Hotel: This house was in the 1880's to provide freight wagon drivers a place to stay over night when taking supplies from Kearney to Broken Bow.
Log Cabin: The cabin of the 1860-1870 period on the museum grounds is a fine interpretive exhibit of a structure "like" the one at Post South Loup Fork, and will provide a place to show and tell local history.
Boyd Ranch House: This house was the first frame house in Buffalo County. It was built in the late 1850's when it was part of the J.E. Boyd Trail Ranch on the Wood River near Gibbon. The ranch furnished supplies to travelers on the Platte Valley Overland Trails.
The museum also houses rare photos, diaries, letters and other archival records.
Contributions: A part of the funding for Trails & Rails Museum operations comes from the Buffalo County general fund. All other Museum expenses come from contributions. All contributions are appreciated.
Schools: Groups are welcome. Appointments may be made by contacting the museum office, 234-3041.
Hours & Admission:
Memorial Day through Labor Day (June - Aug.) Mon-Sat 10-6 and
Sun 1-5 Labor Day through Memorial Day (Sept. - May) M-F 1-5, closed weekends.
Check out their web site for additional hours for Special Events!
Group tours are encouraged to call and schedule a tour, everyone is welcome to join us during these operating hours. If these hours do not work for you, please call to set up an appointment.
Admission is $2
14 & Under Free
Trails and Rails Museum
710 West 11th Street
PO Box 523
Kearney, Nebraska 68848
Tel. 308-234-3041
Email: bchs@kearney.net
www.bchs.us
Discover the history of trails & rails along the Great Platte River Road!
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
