Closed for the winter In Oct Huu???? It's a museum isn't it. It was a beautiful day and as a beneficiary of the great people of Bangor Maine who come out to the airport to meet returning warriors I hoped to honor the North Platte Canteen who took care of the warriors in WWII by visiting the exhibit but the museum was closed for the winter. Not a great example of the pioneer spirit found elsewhere in Nebraska.
To get an excellent idea of the area’s history, you should stop by the Lincoln County Historical Museum in North Platte. The museum grounds are home to a look at the story of the Platte River valley.The entrance gives you an immediate look back. The three doors used as the entrance to the museum are from the original North Platte Canteen. It was a spot along the railroad where more than six million troops visited during World War II, 1941-45. The canteen closed in 1946.The main building houses a great exhibit on the canteen and the people who were there – both soldier and local volunteer.Other items of significance are also contained in the building – a diorama of old-time North Platte, a medical instrument display, telecommunications, and society’s goods – clothing, accessories, music and furniture.The museum has an old film projector from the Fox Theater downtown. The former movie house is now home to community theater productions.The World War II Canteen exhibit appealed most to me. The set up was interesting. Sitting among war souvenirs and reminders was a kitchen area with simulated fruit, vegetables and drinks.The war items on display were impressive. Weapons and uniforms adorn the area.A Nazi flag is on display behind glass. It’s noted that the flag was captured by an American and that it is displayed as a reminder of war’s consequences.A battered American flag is displayed nearby.An exhibit highlights the love story of Virgil and Ethel Butolph. Virgil started writing to Ethel in 1942 during his deployment. His buddy was writing Ethel’s sister at the time. Virgil thought it would be nice to have someone to correspond with.Their relationship grew during the ensuing years until they met face-to-face in September 1944. Virgil was from Kearney and was coming home for a furlough. He wanted to meet Ethel in person. He proposed and they were married Sept. 19, 1944. Her dress and his uniform are on display, along with their story.As you step outside the main building, you’re transported to the 1800s. The outdoor section of the museum is home to 16 original buildings.A windmill and cistern stand near the front of the pack. A cistern is basically a water tower.A flag flies atop a pole that once belonged to nearby Fort McPherson. A cabin that was located at the Maxwell-based fort sits close by.I have no idea what it is about old jail cells and my wife. But, she managed to get herself tossed into an old brig again. This has happened to her in previous visits to Alcatraz, USS Midway and an old-time jail in Oklahoma City.We checked out the Birdwood Schoolhouse. The one-room school was one of a few in the area.The Trinity Lutheran Church offers a place of worship on the plains.A couple of houses were open for viewing. The first we checked out was the Ericsson House. The second was the childhood home to William Jeffers. Jeffers, whose father worked for the railroad, worked his way up from a janitor and “call boy” (ran to crew members’ homes to give them their work schedules) to lead the Union Pacific Railroad as its president in the late 1930s.You can take a gander at what was needed for progress with old-fashioned ditch plows on display.The railroad’s importance is again displayed with a depot and caboose. Inside the depot, visitors get a view of an old station – train schedules on the wall, as well as luggage on the benches.Visitors can close out their trip through history with a walk on the boardwalk featuring a general store and barbershop.
My old doctor's picture (and his equipment) and my great grandparents items given to them from the Rosebud Indian Reservation are on display. They taught on this reservation many years ago.
Rated poor based on attitude only. We did not pay full price and go through anything as there were only 30 minutes left for viewing. The only people there were the workers! What a shame. Why not consider half price after 4 PM or something similar? Not a very friendly place for tourists.
The place was to open at 9am. We got there at 10am and the door was still locked. Fortunately it was opened for us. The staff are evidently volunteers and were very helpful. Definitely interesting explaining the history of North Platte and the buildings on the grounds were very interesting.
There is a wonderful display of the service that North Platte and surrounding communities provided our military service personnel when traveling through North Platte on the train. When the train stopped here, the servicemen and women were treated to homemade sandwiches, eggs, birthday cakes, cookies, coffee, etc. and lots of hospitality for the brief time they were there. Left life-lasting memories for all involved. The museum also has a great display of out buildings to go through, besides the additional displays inside the museum. A must see for anyone interested in the "human interest" side of the war.
We went to this museum mainly to see the North Platte Canteen exhibit but ended up spending almost 3 hours here! There are some very interesting exhibits. It was a bit cold and windy the morning we were there so we didn't spend much time exploring the buildings outside. Plenty to see inside though! Be sure to allow enough time to watch the entire video of the North Platte Canteen. It gives you the full history and is very touching.
This is a very well put together museum that a lot of people pass on by. I have visited here many times over the years, and they change the museum artifacts often.
Numerous original buildings including 3 homes, a church, blacksmith's shop, one room school. train depot and others are available to walk into and are fully furnished. Inside the museum you are able to explore a canteen from WWII, dentist office, beauty parlor all from before 1950s. MUCH MUCH MORE! Amazing to look at and learn. The price...$5.00!
We could have spent an entire day here! There is an impressive collection of historical photos, artifacts, etc. Our favorite part, though, was learning about the canteen that served the soldiers during WWII. They have several historic buildings outside at the back of the museum as well and have an audio tour that you can access with your cell phone. In addition, they have a "treasure hunt" for the kids to find items throughout the displays that don't belong. If the kids find all the items, the receive a prize! The museum is well laid out and has A LOT to offer. It was well worth our time and our kids loved it!!!