The Nebraska State Historical Society invites you to a special free admission day celebration for Nebraska’s Statehood on Saturday, February 28th from 9 am to 4 pm! All ages are welcome!
Join us for family-friendly activities across the state at the Nebraska History Museum in Lincoln, Chimney Rock Ethel S. and Christopher J. Abbott Visitor Center, Fort Robinson History Center, Norris House in McCook, and the Neligh Mill in Neligh. Activities at each site will include:
Nebraska History Museum
- Nebraska-Themed Bingo: Learn about impactful Nebraskans, inventions, and places while you play. Games start at 9:30 am and run hourly until 3:30 pm.
- Decade Scavenger Hunt: Explore first- and second-floor exhibits to find objects from every decade of Nebraska’s statehood.
- History Lectures: 1) Conservation Nebraska Lecture | 11:00 am–12:00 pm CT- Dr. David Loope explores the Geologic History of the Nebraska Sand Hills. 2) Winter Travel on the Oregon Trail | 2:00 pm CT – Historian Loren Pospisil shares the challenges of traveling the Great Platte River Road in winter.
- Community Partner: University of Nebraska Rodeo Association | 9:00 am–12:00 pm: Meet members of the UNL Rodeo Team and learn about Nebraska’s rich collegiate rodeo tradition.
- Staff Highlights: Discover what Nebraska State Historical Society staff love most about their home state—and add your own favorite thing.
- Create Your Own State Symbol: Learn about Nebraska’s official state symbols, then design one of your own.
- Birthday Cards and Thank You Birthday Banner: Nebraska turns 159! Write a birthday wish for the state for the year ahead and thank the Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation for sponsoring this free day.
- Learn More Table: Browse recommended books on Nebraska statehood available in the gift shop and get information about upcoming events.
Chimney Rock
- Winter Travel on the Oregon Trail: Winter travel is fraught with dangers. Historian Loren Pospisil shares the challenges of traveling the Great Platte River Road on the Oregon Trail in winter at 2:00 pm CT/1:00 pm MT.
Fort Robinson History Center
- Scavenger Hunt: Starting at the History Center, follow the clues to find state historical markers across the park. Photograph your journey, share your experience on social media by tagging NSHS (@nehistorical) and the NSHS Foundation (@nshsf1942). Once complete, return to the History Center to talk about what you learned!
Norris House and the Neligh Mill
- Scavenger Hunt: Explore the home of Senator George Norris in McCook or the Neligh Mill in Neligh with a hands-on scavenger hunt that takes you on an exciting adventure into Nebraska’s past at each site.
Free admission for this event is funded in support from the Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation.
