Pioneer Village

[Revredneck]

I know that someone in this illustrious group must have been to Pioneer Village in Nebraska. I got a post card from there when I was a kid, and thought it was pretty neat. I found the web site, but it doesn"t show much. We"re planning a westward trip this fall and I thought we might swing by there. Is it worth the trip now that I"m older?
Good Luck and God Bless,
Tommy

 

[Anonymous-0]

You bet it is! I lived near there much of my adolecent and teen years. It tells so much of the history of our country's development you will see nowhere else. Yes, they have quite a bit of farm machinery, autos, trucks, etc, but they are not all spit polished. Rather they are the way they were when they bought them. There is a building with a series of displays showing things like American Kitchens at different times and the evolution of technology. I went last summer with my family again and recommend the resturaunt for breakfast.

 

[bjb in NE]

I have been there twice (most recently a few years ago) and would go back again. There is something there for almost anyone. They have old cars, trucks tractors, blacksmith shop, housewares, initial computers, china, a steam train engine, and more. You can easily spend a whole day there.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Does the merry go round running? last 2 times Iwas there it was shut down

 

[steveormary]

There is also Stur Museum at Grand Island.

steveormary

 

[rustyfarmall]

I've been there at least twice. I will go again when the opportunity arises.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Stuhr is neat and clean but takes only an hour to walk the whole thing.

Pioneer Village could take a couple days, and they will let you in the second day free if you ask going in the first day.

There are enough barbed wire samples to cover a wall 150' long, just reading the names and noticing the differences between them could take half a day.

The village includes a decently priced motel and a RV campground, probably the only ones in Minden.

I did a museum trip in late March, 12 museums in 6 days. Pioneer Village was near the top of those museums, but the SAC museum was a bit better but smaller, far fewer items but real B-52, U2, and S$-71 and the like are LARGE!

Gerald J.

 

[Anonymous-0]

For those interested in our pioneer history, central Nebraska does have a lot to offer. Several places of interest near Pioneer Village are Fort Kearney, Great Platte River Road Archway Monument, and of course CABELA'S in Kearney.

 

[DRL]

Haven't been there since the late '70's when I still lived at home. We went there a couple of times and there was enough there that you don't get tired of it. My mom and sister would get so peeved at me and my dad. We would kind of buzz through the quilts and dolls, etc, but would spend large amounts of time in the buildings with the automobiles, tractors, etc. My sister claimed that we had to count every spark plug on every vehicle. Going back some time soon is on my list of things to do. Well worth a day or two of exploration.

Another place I would like to re-visit is Har-Ber Village in Grove, OK. It was another place you could spend a full day or two. Used to be free admission, but have heard that they now charge an admission fee.

 

[BEN in KS]

Just went there in June. Spent the whole day, it was great. Stayed at a motel in Kearney, only about 10 miles away. Definitely a 'Must See' Ben

 

[Iowa_tire_guy]

Been there several times over the years including last summer.(steam engine for the merry-go-round was not operating) You ain't been to a museum until you been there. Just don't plan on doing it in a half day. My Dad was saying last month that they are thinking of closing it because it just isn't making the money they want.

 

[NEsota]

If you have a camera along you may want to take pictures of some of the informative plaques that are on display. SAC Museum, just west of Omaha should be seen also. The B-36, biggest bomber ever built is on display along with B-52. Viewing the bomb bays on these is an experience.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I've been to Minden three times since Nov. moving trucks and equip for our company after the ice storm so they could continue to repair the downed power line and towers. The linemen told me that there was no way I should leave without going to the museum. Never had time. One of these days, I'm going to drive back there from Appleton Wi. just to see it.

 

[MarkB_MI]

It's been about 10 years since I was there with my wife and son. I highly recommend it.

I still remember the "Burma Shave" style signs that Pioneer Village used to have plastered all over the country. Times have changed, haven't they?