the plainsman museum

We've visited many museums in Nebraska and come back to this one again and again as our children grew. It's timeless and education but set up in such a very interesting fashion...especially the early Nebraska town complete with a bank, jailhouse, general store, doctor's office (a little graphic! ;-) ) and several houses...ALL inside a temperature controlled building. Highly recommend.

I decided to check this place out as it was part of National Geographic's Nebraska Pioneer Trail. I visited on a cold & snowy weekday - stopping first at the adjoining Edgerton Explorit Center - tho the electronic "Open" sign was on, the doors were locked & sidewalks not shoveled when I arrived (around 11 am or so). I decided to go next door to the Plainsman Museum which was open tho per the guest book, I appeared to be the first visitor of the day. I explained to the woman that I had tried the Explorit Ctr first but its doors were locked despite the Open sign being on. She explained they were there, but probably just hadn't gotten around to opening the door yet. She explained that there was a combo admission available for both places for a reduced price (rather than paying separately for both) - I agreed to go for the combo & she indicated she would let them know that there door was still locked. She also explained that the Agricultural exhibit hall had some staff working but I could visit that exhibit (located in a separate building). I checked out the first building which was quite interesting with lots of artifacts & exhibits about everyday home (& business) life in the pioneer days. Once I finished touring that building, I went back to enquire on how to get to the Ag building exhibit - was given instructions on how to get there (plus an adjoining "model" house) but when I went to both the Ag building & model house buildilng, both doors were locked - I decided to try my luck again with the Edgerton building, noting that someone was finally out shoveling the snow off the sidewalk entrance, yet the door was STILL LOCKED!!I simply gave up going back to complain (again) as my first attempt was obviously ignored & I didn't have more time to waste, having many other places to visit on my itinerary but I did feel the irony that on a day of poor weather with very few visitors, this place proved to be a disappointment moreso for the disorganized and unprepared "welcome" that belied the very pioneer spirit they were attempting to "preserve" in their exhibits. Sorry, but that prompted me to submit this review with a poor rating.

We stopped here for a second visit. Run by the nicest and most dedicated people, this museum is an experience for those of us who love history, an experience of not only events but of people; what they wore, medicine, clocks, antique glass, furniture, dolls, music. I can not even cover it all. Set up by people who love what they do and a true community endeavor, this place is one we make a point of going to when driving across the country. I can't say enough.

We found this museum in the AAA book when we were looking for a place to stop and stretch on a long drive. We were definitely not disappointed. The depiction of local history is excellent. It was definitely more than we expected.

Excellent museum of local history. Well displayed and maintained. Some parts of it does not open until after April 1.