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(pdf file - requires Adobe Acrobat Reader) (developed by the Scottsbluff/Gering Chamber of Commerce & TCD) (developed by the Scottsbluff/Gering Chamber of Commerce, TCD, & the City of Scottsbluff)
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MUSEUMS & HISTORICAL ATTRACTIONS Agate Fossil Beds National Monument Chimney Rock National Historic Site & Visitor’s Center Rebecca Burdick Winters’ Grave & Historical Marker Scotts Bluff National Monument Western Nebraska Mexican/American Historical Museum Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area & Nature Center Wyo-Braska Natural History Museum aka “Wildlife World”
Western Nebraska Mexican/American Historical Museum
A museum and historical society dedicated to preserving the history and cultural contributions of Mexican Americans in Nebraska. Sponsors cultural celebrations and events, provides talks on Mexican American cultural traditions, and has the Un Tesoro de Nebraska exhibit (created through the Mexican American Traditions in Nebraska project) in its permanent collection. The museum also contains copies of the all the materials that were collected through the project. For information on seeing or displaying the exhibit or using the materials, contact the director, Olga Olivares, by calling or visiting the museum
Rebecca Burdick Winters’ Grave & Historical Marker
Farm and Ranch Museum
Located 1/2 mile west of Gering. Devoted to the preservation and interpretation of early methods of agriculture in the North Platte Valley. Displays include antique farm equipment, from horse-drawn to steam engines and early tractors. Open May throughSeptember. For more information call (308) 436-1989 or visit their web site at: www.farmandranchmuseum.com.
North Platte Valley Museum
Traces the area’s history back to the first known inhabitants, American Indians, followed by trappers, cattlemen, and homesteaders. Historical complex that consists of a log house, a 19th Century sod house, a modern museum building with relics of pioneer days, and displays of antique farm equipment. Open year-round. For more information, call (308) 436-5411 or visit their web site at www.npvm.org.
Robidoux Trading Post
In 1851, Plains Indians brought their furs to this secluded post for trade, and in the early days of the Oregon Trail it was one of the first signs of civilization after many weeks across the prairie. The trading post has been reconstructed with 100 year old, hand-hewn logs and historical information. The post is complete with dirt floor, pole, and buffalo grass sod roof. The post's interior also has all the goods that would have been available from the Missouri Valley for Indian trade in the 1800s. The 23 mile route through Carter Canyon is the original Oregon Trail route before Mitchell Pass at the Scotts Bluff National Monument.
Collections of historical objects found on the surface of the sites of Robidoux's two posts and the "Fort John, Scott's Bluffs" post are preserved in the Oregon Trail Museum. Beads, pendants, danglers, belts, buttons, medallions, coins, traps, bar lead, bullet molds, and other objects testify to the variety of activities conducted at these stations. Who was Robidoux? Although all the facts are not fully established, it appears that he was Joseph E. Robidoux, oldest son of the Joseph Robidoux who founded St. Joseph, Mo.; and that the other "Frenchman" seen there was his uncle, Antoine Robidoux, who earlier achieved pioneering fame in Utah and California. The younger Joseph is an elusive figure. He may well have been the Robidoux who led the first American Fur Company contingent by Scotts Bluff in 1830, and who was seen at Fort Laramie in 1846 by Parkman. The big climax years for Robidoux Pass were 1849-51. A surprisingly large number of emigrant journals for these years have survived and most of them devote a lot of attention to (1) the magnificent scenery of Scotts Bluff, (2) the unusually fine springs and ample firewood here, (3) the view from the crest of the pass toward Laramie Peak (then sometimes called "the Black Hills," and frequently mistaken for the Rocky Mountains), and (4) Robidoux's log cabin blacksmith shop and trading post, and its colorful inhabitants.
Robidoux's second trading post at "Scott's Bluffs". Located 2 miles south of Gering on Highway 71, then 8 miles west. Open from 7.00am to dusk. By appointment for interior tour and lecture. For more information call (308) 436-6886.
Scotts Bluff National Monument
Located 3 miles west of Gering on Nebraska Highway 92. Open year round. Weekly film series during the summer.
Permanent exhibits about the Westward movement. Four different hiking trails that vary in length and difficulty.
Paved road to the top of the Monument. For more information call (308) 436-4340 or visit their web site at www.nps.gov/scb1.
Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area & Nature Center
Located 8 miles south of Gering, with 1,000 acres of rugged terrain. Hiking trails, picnic facilities, and cross-country skiing.
Nearly all buildings & facilities are built of native stone, quarried nearby. Wood for bridges, benches, & roofs came from logs cut in the area.
The new Nature Center offers tourists a chance to learn about the ecology & history of the area. A wide variety of programs is offered, with visits from speakers & area organizations. Facilities may be reserved for special occasions.
Photo Courtesy of Harland J. Schuster The 310 acre game reserve just south of the recreational area holds a small herd of buffalo, elk & sometimes longhorn cattle, as well as wild turkey, deer, bobcat, & coyote.
For more information call (308) 436-3777 or visit their web site at www.ngpc.state.ne.us/parks/wildcat.html.
Wyo-Braska Natural History Museum aka “Wildlife World”
Features hand-painted animal dioramas and educational displays. More than 300 animal specimens from seven continents. Features replicas in their native habitats.
The only museum in the U.S. that displays the Wood Bison, the Nebraska Roadrunner, the Black Footed Ferret and a life-size replica of a Baluchithere, the largest mammal to walk the earth--19 ft. tall and 30 ft. long,
Other prehistoric animals include Triceratops, Hyracadon, and Kinohyus.
Housed in a restored Union Pacific depot in Gering. Gift shop located in museum. Handicapped accessible.
Open year-round. For more information, call (308) 436-7104.
Bayard Chimney Rock Museum
Filled with many historical items relating to Bayard, Chimney Rock, and the Valley, including horse-drawn machinery. Housed in the old Burlington Railroad Depot, which was built in 1928.
The quaint brick structure was all but abandoned by Burlington Northern Railroad Company in the 1990's. Volunteers wanting to preserve the history of the old railroad and sugar beet factory town decided in 1994 to try and convert the old depot into a museum.
Fundraising began, grants were written, and lifetime memberships were sold to 201 individuals. This included selling 50 quilt blocks for $25.00 a piece to local businesses and individuals. With this money, they were able to refurbish the interior, add green area out doors, and add a handmade ironworks fence. The museum opened for it's first season in 1999. It has won 2 awards already in its short existence. All items are donated and nothing is on loan. Item are continually coming in. Many items have been donated and are now on display in every part of the depot. For more information call (308) 586-1177.
Chimney Rock National Historic Site & Visitor’s Center
Chimney Rock was designated a National Historic Site on August 9, 1956. It is maintained & operated by the Nebraska State Historical Society. Chimney Rock was the most noted landmark in early pioneers’ diaries.
According to early fur traders, Native Americans named the rock “Elk Penis” after the penis of the adult male elk, which made more sense to these indigenous people than did comparing a centuries old rock to a feature from a white man’s building! Prim and proper usage among Anglo-Americans, however, resulted in the more delicate name of “Chimney” rock.
Nearly half a million westbound emigrants and other travelers saw Chimney Rock. Many emigrants, surveyors, and members of military expeditions drew sketches as they passed by the formation, and in later years photographs became popular.
Old Postcard—Photo by Simmons Today the Ethel & Christopher J. Abbot Visitor Center adjacent to the formation houses museum exhibits, a hands-on opportunity to “pack your wagon” and a video presentation that tells the story of the great migration west.
It is located a few miles southwest of Bayard on Nebraska Highway 92 and is open year-round and lit nightly by the City of Bayard. For more information, call (308) 586-2581.
Agate Fossil Beds National Monument
Located 32 miles north of Mitchell, along the banks of the Niobrara River. Agate Fossil Beds and its surrounding prairie are preserved in a 2,270 acre National Monument that boasts one of the world's most outstanding fossil records.
Once part of “Captain” James H. Cook’s Agate Springs Ranch, the nearby beds are an important source for 19.2 million year-old Miocene epoch mammal fossils.
James H. CookCook’s ranch was a gathering place for Chief Red Cloud and other Oglala Lakota people.
Red Cloud - Lakota Leader
The Cook Collection of American Indian artifacts reflects years of gifts brought by the Lakota and Northern Cheyenne during visits to the ranch from the 1880's through the early 1900's, including Red Cloud's ceremonial shirt, American Horse's war club, & Little Chief's gun.
Open year-round. For more information, call (308) 668-2211 or visit the web site at www.nps.gov/agfo/index.htm.
Banner County Museum
Located 20 miles southwest of Gering in Harrisburg, Nebraska . Consists of an 11 building complex with hundreds of articles from the area’s past, including a 65 horsepower Case steam engine, Native American artifacts, and a 45 star American flag.
For more information, call (308) 436-7228. PIONEER TRAILS MUSEUM Displays of local history and pioneer times, including the Post Office from Camp Clarke. The village of Camp Clarke was abandoned and the buildings were moved down stream to the site of present day Bridgeport when the UP railroad came through the area. How to Find It: North edge of Bridgeport on Highway 26. (Main Street) No fee! Tel: 308.262.0108 Hours of Operation: Memorial Day-Labor Day 10am-6pm
Copyright © 2002-2003 Twin Cities Development Association, Inc. |
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