Lincoln Museums

(Lincoln, Nebraska - NE, USA)

If you would like to find out a little more about the story of this state and its capital city of Lincoln, then the Museum of Nebraska History is certainly a must-see. This attraction is managed by the Nebraska State Historical Society, which was founded in the late 1870s to encourage all aspects of historical research and embrace the state's aboriginal and modern-day heritage.

Often referred to as simply the Elephant Hall, the University of Nebraska State Museum was established way back in the early 1870s and offers a popular natural history theme, with paleontology and archaeology exhibits reliably drawing visitors. However, the star of the show is without question the giant skeleton of a woolly mammoth, which is nicknamed 'Archie' and was unearthed in Lincoln County, Nebraska, in the early 1920s and measures in at some 4.25 meters / 14 feet in height.

If you are visiting Nebraska's state capital with young kids in tow, then do be sure to pencil in some time at the fun-packed Lincoln Children's Museum. Younger visitors are certainly well-catered for here, with its endless assortment of hands-on exhibits and educational activities, which make learning enjoyable.

Museum of Nebraska History

Address: 15th Street / P Street, Lincoln, Nebraska (NE), 68508, USA
Tel: +1 402 471 4754
More than 10,000 years' worth of history is covered in the displays at the Museum of Nebraska History, ranging from the early Native American tribes living on the Plains to the task of creating a state virtually from scratch. The Investigation Station suits all ages and is an interactive learning environment with countless old photographs, historical documents and stories of village elders. Here you can piece together evidence to make your own discoveries, as well as planning your very own town or packing up your wagon, ready for the long journey west, to a new life.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 16:30, Saturday and Sunday - 13:00 to 16:30
Admission: donation suggested

University of Nebraska State Museum

Address: 645 North 14th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska (NE), 68588, USA
Tel: +1 402 472 2642
In total there are more than 1.5 million fossils housed within the University of Nebraska State Museum, many of which are on display or rotated on a regular basis. Visitors will also be able to enjoy lots of wildlife dioramas, a gallery of dinosaurs, exhibits relating to Native American Indian tribes, prehistoric weapons, and numerous minerals, rocks, gems and meteorites. The Mueller Planetarium is also on hand and stages regular star shows, suiting those keen to learn more about astronomy.
Open hours: Monday to Wednesday, Friday and Saturday - 09:30 to 16:30, Thursday - 09:30 to 20:00, Sunday -13:30 to 16:30
Admission: museum - charge, discounts available for children, children four years old and under are free; planetarium - charge, discounts available for children

Lincoln Children's Museum

Address: 1420 P Street, Lincoln, Nebraska (NE), 68508, USA
Tel: +1 402 477 4000
Spread over three floors, the Lincoln Children's Museum features many fun displays designed to stimulate the imagination, regardless of your age. Visitors will find role-playing games where you can pretend to be a firefighter or a news presenter. There is also a large artificial tree, a water station, a grocery store, Thomas the Tank Engine trains, car mechanics and the chance to launch a hot-air balloon. There are themed summer camps available, including the School of Wizardry, Kid Chefs, and Einsteins and Edisons. Although there is a gift store onsite, there is no restaurant, meaning that if you are feeling hungry, you'll need to head down the road to one of the nearby eateries, such as Sam and Louie's Pizza.
Open hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday - 09:30 to 17:00, Thursday - 09:30 to 19:00, Sunday - 13:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors and one year old children, children under 1 year old are free

International Quilt Study Center and Museum

Address: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1523 North 33rd Street, Lincoln, Nebraska (NE), 68503, USA
Tel: +1 402 472 6549
Founded in the year 1997 following a substantial donation of almost 1,000 quilts by a local couple of avid collectors, the International Quilt Study Center and Museum manages to boast the most substantial collection of quilts in existence, anywhere in the world. There are now roughly 3,500 quilts housed here, many of which are extremely rare and often rather valuable. The present-day purpose-built venue opened in 2008 and enjoys eye-catching contemporary glass and brick architecture. Inside there are different gallery spaces, concentrating on educating visitors whilst engaging them in the subject matters.
Open hours: Tuesday to Saturday - 10:00 to 16:00, Sunday - 13:00 to 16:00
Guided tours, Tuesday to Friday - 11:00, Saturday - 11:00 and 13:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children, children four years old and under are free

Lester F. Larsen Tractor Test and Power Museum

Address: East Campus University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 35th Street / Holdrege Street, Lincoln, Nebraska (NE), 68583, USA
Tel: +1 402 472 8389
The Lester F. Larsen Tractor Test and Power Museum is situated on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's East Campus and was established at the beginning of the 1980s. This facility remembers the importance of testing tractors to ensure that they were being manufactured correctly for farmers to use safely and be able to rely upon. Tractor testing is still carried out today, with a track and testing facility being located close by. However, most visitors are simply interested in viewing the old tractors, which include an Allis Chalmers U (1932), a Ford B (1909), a Ford-Ferguson System 2N (1943), a Fordson F (1920), a Heider (1910), a Minneapolis-Moline Universal (1917) and a Waterloo Boy (1915), amongst others. Lots of fun activities take place here, including tractor drives around the campus and 'Open House' days.
Open hours: Tuesday to Friday - 09:00 to 16:00, Saturday - 10:00 to 14:00
Admission: free

Robert Hillestad Textiles Gallery

Address: 2nd Floor, Home Economics Building, East Campus University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 35th Street / Holdrege Streets, Lincoln, Nebraska (NE), 68583, USA
Tel: +1 402 472 2911
The Robert Hillestad Textiles Gallery is to be found on the East Campus of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where it is devoted to exhibiting period clothing, vintage textiles and historical fashion accessories. Some of the garments are more than 100 years old and remain in remarkable condition, appearing as if they have just been worn. Themed exhibitions take place roughly every month and often concentrate on the creations of famous fashion designers.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 08:30 to 16:00, Saturday and Sunday by appointment
Admission: free

National Museum of Roller Skating

Address: 4730 South Street, Lincoln, Nebraska (NE), 68506, USA
Tel: +1 402 483 7551
Offering something a little different, the National Museum of Roller Skating is packed with objects and exhibits showcasing the history of roller skating from the 1760s onwards. Exhibits relate to various different aspects of skating, such as inline wheels, figure dancing, roller hockey, speed skating champions and the Transcontinental Roller Derby. There is also a gift shop onsite, selling numerous books, mugs, traditional-style postcards and T-shirts.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Museum of American Speed

Address: 599 Oak Creek Drive, Lincoln, Nebraska (NE), 68528, USA
Tel: +1 402 483 7551
Highly recommended by its past visitors, the Museum of American Speed sits on the northwestern side of the downtown district, in between Capitol Beach Lake and the campus of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. This institution was founded in 1992 in order to actively preserve and display all kinds of memorabilia relating to regional automotive history and racing. The museum is actually home to the biggest collection of old speed equipment and racing engines on the planet, with collections of show cars, vintage race cars and various production vehicles. Some of the oldest vehicles include a Coors Extra Gold Million Dollar Roadster (1932), a Dodge Roadster T-Bucket (1923), a Ford Cabriolet Goldbrick (1934), a Ford LoBoy Street Rodder (1932), a Ford Model T Coupe (1921), a Ford Model T Lakester (1923), a Ford Model T Speedster, a Paco Body (1920), a Marmon Racer (1929) and a T-Bucket Hot Rod (1923). A collection of autographed racing helmets and old photographs adds further interest for race enthusiasts.
Open hours: guided tours, May to September, Monday to Friday - 14:00; October to April, Friday - 14:00
Admission: charge, museum not suitable for young children

Frank H. Woods Telephone Museum

Address: 2047 M Street, Lincoln, Nebraska (NE), 68508, USA
Tel: +1 402 436 4640
The Frank H. Woods Telephone Museum opened its doors to the general public in the fall of 1996 and came into being to educate its visitors about the rich heritage of America's telephone industry. Named after the pioneer who founded the Lincoln Telephone Company, this unusual attraction has a very unexpected claim to fame - it made an appearance in the successful 2008 Jim Carrey movie 'Yes Man'. Of note, the Rock Island Trail passes close by and connects the baseball diamonds of Lewis Field and nearby Antelope Creek. Exhibits include antique candlestick phones, transmitters, vintage coin-operated phones, booths and many other rare related pieces.
Open hours: Sunday - 13:00 to 16:00
Admission: free

American Historical Society of Germans from Russia

Address: 631 D Street, Lincoln, Nebraska (NE), 68502, USA
Tel: +1 402 474 3363
The American Historical Society of Germans from Russia Museum stands on the western side of the city, next to Cooper Park. This society serves as both a museum-type attraction and a popular research library, with a real wealth of archives originating from villages all over Russia and the Ukraine. It was founded in 1968 and is known for its extensive genealogy program, with many people coming here in the hope of tracking Russian relatives and ultimately completing their family tree. Various artifacts are on display, including photographs, important documents and journals, maps and antique furnishings recreating room settings. Upon your arrival, you will be greeted by two large statues of children and their parents.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 16:00
Admission: free