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/823575
MAY 2017 • NEBRASKAland 33 by Davis, who had served as a labor union president. They also voted in a Council of Administration, named after the original council that oversaw various affairs at Fort Atkinson, such as the setting of prices for the regimental sutler. Over all the years he's been involved at Fort Atkinson, throughout all the various characters he's researched and portrayed, Davis is most proud of his involvement in getting the Friends started, a nonprofit organization that is still going strong after more than 20 years. "It's still serving its same purpose, to promote and preserve the living history at Fort Atkinson," he said. ■ Living history events will be at Fort Atkinson State Historical Park on the following weekends: May 6-7, June 3-4, July 1-2, Aug. 5-6, Sept. 2-3 and Sept. 30-Oct. 1. No admission is charged, but a valid state park vehicle permit is required. The candlelight tour is Nov. 4. The park is located on the east side of Fort Calhoun off of U.S. Highway 75, and about eight miles north of the I-680 and U.S. 75 interchange. To learn more, visit fortatkinsononline.org. Ash Hollow State Historical Park - Lewellen Each year on Father's Day weekend, Ash Hollow State Historical Park celebrates its heritage through the Ash Hollow Pageant. Costumed volunteers tell the story of Oregon-California Trail pioneers through live music and outdoor performances, with a chuck wagon supper for guests cooked over an open campfire. Bowring Ranch State Historical Park - Merriman During Sod House Sunday, the last Sunday in June, visitors can learn more about the lives of early settlers to the Sandhills. Living history demonstrations include pioneer cooking, vegetable and herb gardening, rug making and other ranch crafts. Buffalo Bill State Historical Park - North Platte In August, the park has its end of summer celebration, which includes demonstrations of candle making, blacksmithing, butter making and other crafts. The annual candlelight mansion tour, during the first two weekends in October, is by reservation only, and gives a unique perspective of Buffalo Bill's home, "The Mansion on the Prairie." Fort Hartsuff State Historical Park - Burwell Each April, the Fremont Pathfinders visit the park for a weekend to portray what life was like at this 1870s Plains fort. Volunteers portray individuals such as laundresses, the post surgeon and the blacksmith, and the cannons are fired all weekend long. They visit the park again in August for a more laidback weekend of living history. Fort Kearny State Historical Park - Kearney Volunteers portray a typical day in the life of this 19th century stage station during Memorial Day weekend, the Fourth of July weekend, and Labor Day weekend. The cannon is fired during each event. A Pony Express re-ride is also held in June. Rock Creek Station State Historical Park - Fairbury Living history events at Rock Creek Station State Historical Park look a little different: Rather than portraying specific trades and crafts, volunteers reenact the daily ranch chores at this 1860s stage and Pony Express station. Their activities look different depending on the time of year and the time of day. Events are every third Saturday from May to October. The Rock Creek Trail Days weekend in June includes reenactments and skits, and a buffalo stew cookout on Saturday. To learn more about these and other state historical parks, visit OutdoorNebraska. org/statehistoricalparks. Besides Fort Atkinson State Historical Park, six other Nebraska parks educate visitors through living history interpretation. Besides Fort Atkinson State Historical Park, six other Living History at Nebraska Parks Ash Hollow Buffalo Bill Fort Kearny Rock Creek Station Fort Hartsuff Fort Atkinson Bowring Ranch PHOTO BY JENNY NGUYEN