(We were hosted by the Stuhr Museum as part of the Midwest Travel Network Conference. Opinions are our own.)
Character. Craftsmanship. Community. Respect. All the things you wish were still around today. Thankfully, they still are at the Stuhr Museum in Grand Island, Nebraska.
The museum was founded by Leo Stuhr. His father was one of the settlers in the county who came from Germany. Leo was quite a man. A chemist, manager, state representative, and Nebraska’s first Secretary of Agriculture. As the son of an immigrant and founder, he wanted to honor and respect those roots by preserving the history of the area. He founded the Hall County Historical Society and donated money and land for a museum. Sadly, he died before he could see his vision come to life, but the movement to create a museum continued, with a temporary site, then finally a permanent site where it is located now.
A gorgeous facility welcomes you as you enter the site. The Stuhr Building is surrounded by a “moat” (they call it that, but it’s so beautiful I forgot it was a moat; it just looks like a pretty river around the building). It features meeting space, a gift shop, an art gallery, and artifacts.
The main draw for us was “Railroad Town,” where everything has paused in 1890. Period architecture draws your eyes up and around every door, window, and eave, looking for the character the builders created with their craftsmanship. It’s heartwarming to know that each home is an original to Grand Island and was moved to this property for this “town.”
Volunteers dressed for the era tell stories of life, of working with their hands, of serving their community, of settling and growing Grand Island and Hall County.
A costumed shopkeeper in the general store explained the various items on display that would have been sold at that time, and the purpose each item served. Handcrafted aprons and bonnets, candies, and jewelry were available for purchase in the store for those of us who wanted to take home a memento while supporting the museum.
Our stop at the wood shop kept David enthralled. He practically drooled over the beautiful woods, the vast display of working equipment, and samples of projects. Some of the tools were as stunning as the finished work itself. The woodcrafter running the shop patiently answered all of David’s questions.
Another beautifully costumed shopkeeper in the millinery made us feel right at home as she taught us about women’s hat styles during the 1890s.
Railroad Town is not only entertaining but educational for both kids and adults. From field trips to summer workshops, the museum offers fun programs all year long, teaching kids to understand life on the prairie in the 1890s.
One of the experiences that we would have loved to participate in when we were younger is the “Living History Apprentice” program for kids in 6th grade and above. What a fantastic opportunity for the young people in the area.
The opportunities for these hands-on experiences are how kids truly learn, remember, and begin to cherish history, which in turn creates the next generation of historical preservationists.
The Stuhr Museum is located at:
3133 W US Hwy 34
Grand Island, NE 68801
While the museum is open year-round, Railroad Town is open seasonally, from May through September.
Admission is:
Adults $14.00
Seniors (60+) $13.00
Ages 6-12 $12.00
Five and under are free.
Discounts are available for veterans and AAA.
Hours are:
March-October
Monday-Saturday, 9am-5pm, Sundays, 10am-5pm
November-February
Sunday-Saturday, 10am-4pm
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