In Nebraska City, stories of migration and trails meet places where the origins of Arbor Day come to life. There are also historic homes, paths along the Missouri River, and experiences centered on fruit and wine. When planning your trip, it’s worth deciding first which of these themes you want to shape your stay.
Trail History
The Old Freighters Museum is located in the original main office of Russell, Majors & Waddell. It shares their legacy and the history of migration along the Oregon, California, and Mormon Pioneer Trails. The museum is a historic site on the California National Historic Trail and the Pony Express National Historic Trail. Anyone interested in the history of transportation and migration will find an entry point here to several interconnected historical themes.
Other insights can be found in historic homes, each with its own focus. The Taylor-Wessel-Bickel-Nelson House is a museum in a brick house built in 1857. At the Nelson House, exhibits use the stories of the families who lived there to show how Nebraska City has changed and developed over time. The house is open annually from late April through October; tours are available by appointment.
Wildwood House dates to 1869, has ten rooms, and was built in the Gothic Revival style. Tours are led by docents dressed in Victorian clothing. The Nebraska City Museum of Firefighting and Education Center focuses on the history of Nebraska’s oldest fire department. Together with the exhibits at the Nelson House, these places offer different perspectives: on the lives of individual families as well as the development of community institutions.
Arbor Day and Outdoor Trails
Arbor Day Farm spans 260 acres and combines natural beauty with opportunities for outdoor exploration. The site is considered the birthplace of Arbor Day. The Tree Adventure includes Treetop Village® with eleven treehouses across three acres. Bridges and netted walkways connect the houses. The three acres of Treetop Village make up a small part of the 260-acre farm.
Another part of the story of Arbor Day unfolds at Arbor Lodge State Historical Park. It was the original home of the Morton family; the idea for the first Arbor Day originated there in 1872. The park includes an arboretum, an Italian terraced garden, a log cabin, a carriage house, and walking paths. Those who want to combine the holiday’s history with gardens and parkland will find a different focus here than at the Tree Adventure.
Along the Missouri River and in the Footsteps of Lewis and Clark
The Missouri River Basin Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center sits on a 79-acre wooded overlook above the Missouri River. Its focus is the flora, fauna, and scientific discoveries recorded by the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The trails at the center allow visitors to walk in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark. Landscape, expedition history, and natural history come together here in one place.
Mayhew Cabin also offers a historical perspective; it is located near Nebraska City. Visitors can walk through the furnished cabin and its tunnel. Mayhew Cabin served as part of the Underground Railroad. In 2003, the Mayhew Cabin with John Brown's Cave Museum became the first site in Nebraska to be recognized by the National Park Service’s Network to Freedom.
Fruit, Wine, and Practical Planning
For a different kind of outing, Kimmel Orchard offers opportunities to pick fresh fruit right at the farm. The Apple Barn offers wine tastings featuring fruit wine as well as red and white wines. Fruit picking and wine tasting offer different highlights: one takes you straight to the harvest experience, while the other introduces a range of wines.
If a tour of the Nelson House is important to your trip, plan for its annual opening period from late April through October and arrange your appointment in advance. For Mayhew Cabin, it’s also a good idea to check the visiting arrangements before your trip.
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