NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/654753
APRIL 2016 • NEBRASKAland 21 Nebraska History Museum Re-opens By Nebraska State Historical Society After an 18 month, $8 million renovation, the Nebraska History Museum in Lincoln will reopen to the public on Friday, April 1, 2016. We're looking forward to a weekend of activities featuring Nebraska's rich music, dance and storytelling heritages, and new exhibits to include: • "Nebraska Unwrapped: Selections from the Collections" includes a wide range of materials the Nebraska State Historical Society (NSHS) holds in trust for the people of the state. Artifacts range from a 1,000-year-old hoe made from a bison scapula, ancient corn kernels, to the grasshopper plow that helped settlers break the sod in the 1870s. Noted Ponca Chief Standing Bear's head ornament, the sewing box given to former slave Ruth Cox by Frederick Douglass, First Lady Maxine Morrison's "Mad Men"-era inaugural gown, and the hood worn by a Nebraska Ku Klux Klansman connect visitors to the stories of Nebraskans both notable and notorious. • "Photographers and the Plains Indian" is an exploration of how photographs influence Americans' perceptions of Plains tribal people and how both photographers and their native subjects used early photographs to convey particular meanings. • "Nebraska's Enduring Quilt Heritage: New Acquisitions" looks at quilts that tell stories of migration, politics and events both joyous and memorial. Featured quilts were added to the museum holdings over the last 10 years, many not previously displayed. • "American Dreams in the Cold War: Photos by Barbara and Ralph Fox" chronicles mid-century moments including news, commercial and personal images by the husband/wife team from the 1950s-60s. Because all of our permanent exhibitions had to be disassembled in order for the necessary installation of vapor barriers, we'll be offering a variety of more temporary exhibits as we work to create an exciting new long term experience that will immerse visitors in the 12,000 years of Nebraska's human stories. We'll also be offering hands-on educational offerings for all ages as our new History Learning Center is developed. In addition, because this is a project funded with public dollars, the museum will also unveil a 1 percent for Art public project, "Inside Outside," on the front of the building facing Centennial Mall. This project depicts some of the artifacts the museum holds in trust for the people of our state. Opening Weekend Events In addition to the museum's new exhibits, the following events will also take place opening weekend. • Ribbon-cutting and Remarks from Governor Pete Ricketts: Friday, April 1, 5:15 p.m. Russell Rock and Jeanine Centuori, artists who created "Inside Outside" on the building exterior, are also expected along with other dignitaries. • Free Family Fun Days: Saturday, April 2 and Sunday, April 3, 1-4:30 p.m. Hands-on history, music, dance and talks from a variety of cultural traditions. Continuing Programs Public programming will continue after opening weekend. A general museum tour will be available daily at 2 p.m. beginning April 4. No advance reservations required. Family activities, curator chats, movie screenings and more will be offered each Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Join NEBRASKAland Magazine editor and children's book author Jeff Kurrus who will present "The Tale of Jacob Swift" at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 16. Visit Nebraskahistory.org or call 402-471-4782 for the detailed schedule. ■ Hand cornhusker from 1933 National Corn Husking Championship. World War II-era jacket of Ruth Diamond Levinson. Unassisted triple play baseball from 1920 World Series.