The Plainsman Museum
Encyclopedia
The Plainsman Museum is a museum located in Aurora, Nebraska
focusing on the history of the settlers and their decedents of the central Nebraska plains region. It was officially dedicated on July 4, 1976 as apart of the American national bicentennial and consists of a complex of buildings housing various items demonstrating the everyday life of the plains settlers along with agricultural history.
The Agricultural Building, located directly behind the Plainsman Building to the east was built in 1986 and houses a large collection of farm machinery including horse-drawn implements such as plows and threshers, an early steam-powered tractor, various tractors leading from the 1920s into the present day and a collection of vintage automobiles from the 1920s and 30s.
The Fairview School, a one-room schoolhouse, was moved to the museum in 1981 and displays 19th century educational tools and desks. It resides behind the Plainsman Building as well.
A 19th century home sits across from the Fairview School and is named the Bates House. It was dedicated for its former resident, Gen. Delevan Bates a Congressional Medal of Honor winner of the American Civil War. The home was moved to the museum grounds in 1993.
A Blacksmith shop was also moved to the property as serves as a demonstration place during events and school trips.
Most recently, a retired Burlington-Northern caboose was moved to the property and is undergoing restoration.
Aurora, Nebraska
Aurora is a city in Hamilton County, Nebraska in the United States of America. The population was 4,225 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Hamilton County.-Geography:...
focusing on the history of the settlers and their decedents of the central Nebraska plains region. It was officially dedicated on July 4, 1976 as apart of the American national bicentennial and consists of a complex of buildings housing various items demonstrating the everyday life of the plains settlers along with agricultural history.
Facilities
The main center for the museum is the Plainsman Building which holds the bulk of the museum's collections. Inside is a replica sod house and log cabin along with a reproduction miniaturized main street where visitors can look upon late 19th and early 20th century life. Shops include a hardware store, a doctor's office, a town jail, a bar and a bank. Also within this building are further collections of local as well as historic interest.The Agricultural Building, located directly behind the Plainsman Building to the east was built in 1986 and houses a large collection of farm machinery including horse-drawn implements such as plows and threshers, an early steam-powered tractor, various tractors leading from the 1920s into the present day and a collection of vintage automobiles from the 1920s and 30s.
The Fairview School, a one-room schoolhouse, was moved to the museum in 1981 and displays 19th century educational tools and desks. It resides behind the Plainsman Building as well.
A 19th century home sits across from the Fairview School and is named the Bates House. It was dedicated for its former resident, Gen. Delevan Bates a Congressional Medal of Honor winner of the American Civil War. The home was moved to the museum grounds in 1993.
A Blacksmith shop was also moved to the property as serves as a demonstration place during events and school trips.
Most recently, a retired Burlington-Northern caboose was moved to the property and is undergoing restoration.