The Plainsman Museum
The Plainsman Museum
5
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
About
"Journey through yesterday" at the Plainsman Museum! Our five buildings on our six-acre campus house over 50,000 artifacts, and focus on the time period from 1860-1950. Some of our featured exhibits include a sod house, log cabin, historical Main Street boardwalk, military exhibit, antique farm equipment, a one room schoolhouse, Gen. Delevan & Lana Bates' Victorian-era home, and much, much more! Learn and remember the history of Hamilton County, NE, and the people who made their home on the Great Plains!
Duration: 1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Full view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
15 within 3 miles
Attractions
1 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
5.0
32 reviews
Excellent
28
Very good
3
Average
0
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Carla V
321 contributions
Sep 2021
The Plainsman Museum tells a authentic story with their exhibits. You could spend several hours walking through and around all of the exhibits as there is more than one building to walk through. The volunteer we spoke with was very knowledgeable about the Museum. Every once in awhile she would find us and point out something we hadn't seen.
Written September 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Edward D
Aurora2 contributions
Mar 2016
I've been to dozens of museums , and except for major city, and exclusive collections this museum has much to offer, and a real treasure in a small community, this is not one of those tiny places with a few items, and more trinkets for sale than things to see, this is a real museum. The Plainsman Museum covers the history of the everyday people, merchants and local events of Hamilton County Nebraska from 1868 to 1970. In two large buildings, one for the main museum holdings, you first hace a large open rotunda area with large pictures and painting covering creation to the arrival of the settlers in the 1860s, enter through a covered wagon facade t start your journey and you will first see a log house, sod house and over 16 mini store window fronts n a main street board walk, were each is filled with many items. a drug store, jail, bar, bank, barbershop, hardware store, furniture store, printing office, mechanics garage , movie theater etc the 2nd building is centered on the agracultural side of the county, with several dozen tractors, combines, and an actual rural farm house . a few dozen restored old cars, many old household appliances from before the 1930s. out side is a restored railroad crew car, an actual rural school house, and a former civil war generals home. it takes about 3- 4 hours to get a decent walk through. this museum surpasses many city museums for variety, quantity and focus on local items, from local families. the Staff are never to busy to answer questions, and are very knowledgeable, the price is well worth it. I think the general adult admission is $6, senior s is $4 and under 6 is free. not sure admission. . If you like looking at antiques and seeing how people lived and worked you will not be bored or disappointed. attached to the Edgerton explorite center. Been there last in early spring 2016. prices may have changed.
Written September 13, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tkell2018
Aurora, NE16 contributions
Nov 2018
Lots of fun activities for all ages and a staff who loves what they do. I have hosted family reunion activities at the Plainsman Museum a couple of times and all totally enjoyed our time there.
Written October 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nannycarolina
Tennessee14 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
We were looking at a National Geo Atlas attempting to find an interesting attraction on I80 from Omaha to WY to break up the long straight road! There in small red print was Plainsman Museum. We decided to stop and were really pleased to find a quality historical museum with knowledgeable volunteers and excellent exhibits. My husband swears it had better exhibits than some we have seen at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum! So, if you are passing thru Aurora NE, stop and see this. You will not be disappointed.
Written July 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
droeber5
Wayne, NE37 contributions
Jun 2019
We have driven by this museum and on our way home, we decided to stop. This is a must see. They displays are payed out like walking down the Main Street of a pioneer town. This is a real gem.
Written June 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for stopping in, and we are delighted you enjoyed the museum. We hope to see you again soon!
Written June 29, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
STEVE C
Winchester, VA140 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
While driving cross country we saw the road sign for the Plainsman Museum and decided to stop for a few minutes. 1 1/2 hours later we had to get back on the road but vowed to return if we ever pass through again. What an amazing museum! You literally walk back in time through the streets of the origins of this town and its’ progress to current times. A place definitely worth stopping at!
Written May 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for this great review! We love when people from outside Hamilton County stop by for a peek at our past, and we look forward to seeing you again.
Written May 30, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Melissa
1 contribution
May 2019 • Family
What a gem this place is! Very friendly and informative staff. Sparkling clean and a plethora of exhibits to see.
Written May 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you - We really appreciate your review, and hope you'll visit again soon!
Written May 25, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Julie B
Iowa96 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
We visited this museum because it was one of the stops on the 2018 Nebraska Passport program and are we glad we did!! We were warmly greeted by the curator in the main (air conditioned!!) building, who stamped our passport books, offered a bit of info about the museum and mentioned a discount for Passport travelers. We decided to tour the museum and she started us on our way. You start the tour by walking through a covered-wagon canvas--a fun touch. A highlight was an exhibit set up like a street of businesses and shops that you could enter and view old-time gadgets, furniture and clothing. Another exhibit of interest showcased some of the stop-action photography of Harold Edgerton. We spent over an hour looking at the displays and could have spent longer but we had other stops on our itinerary. There were other outbuildings at the museum but it was 93 degrees and just too hot for me to enjoy anything outside. The Plainsman was well-worth the small admission fee and we will be back when it's cooler and we have more time.
Written July 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
todolist
Wilson, AR328 contributions
Jun 2018 • Family
I know you’re probably rolling down the freeway, and your destination is pulling you forward.
But if you skip this jewel, I guarantee you’ll regret it.
I suspect my agricultural childhood makes it more significant, but there are things here you’ll never see anywhere else.
It made me feel as though I was reliving my grandfather’s early years.
Tons of neat stuff.
But if you skip this jewel, I guarantee you’ll regret it.
I suspect my agricultural childhood makes it more significant, but there are things here you’ll never see anywhere else.
It made me feel as though I was reliving my grandfather’s early years.
Tons of neat stuff.
Written July 4, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the wonderful review! We are so glad the museum was able to help you find and connect with the stories of you and your family - that's what we're here for.
Written July 5, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Deathoncall
Waipahu, HI252 contributions
Jun 2018 • Solo
This is a great stop. The people were super friendly and answered a lot of questions. I learned a lot from the displays and actually ran out of time. Two hours is not enough time to go through both buildings thoroughly. I will highly recommend this stop to MGanyone.
Written June 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing