Traveling Through Nebraska: Exploring Hastings Museum of Natural History
Located in Hastings, a city in south-central Nebraska approximately 310 kilometers west of Omaha, the Hastings Museum of Natural and Cultural History is a premier cultural and natural history institution in the state. The museum was established in 1927 by Albert C. Hastings, a prominent Hastings resident who donated his collection of natural history specimens and artifacts. Today, the museum is home to over 750,000 square feet of exhibition space featuring a vast array of natural history specimens, cultural artifacts, and science exhibits.
The museum's natural history collection includes over 500 taxidermied animals, including a giant Kodiak bear, a Florida manatee, and a great white shark, which are displayed in realistic dioramas. The collection also features a vast array of fossils, including those of ancient Nebraska species such as the dinosaur species Edmontosaurus, Triceratops, and Tyrannosaurus. Visitors can also explore the Hall of the Universe, which features exhibits on astronomy and space exploration, including a scale model of the solar system.
The museum is also home to a large collection of cultural artifacts, including exhibits on the lives of the indigenous peoples of Nebraska, early European settlers, and the pioneer era. Visitors can explore recreations of a pioneer sod house, a one-room schoolhouse, and a historic log cabin. The museum also features a collection of artifacts from the town's early days, including historic farm equipment, railroads, and pioneer-era households.
The Hastings Museum is committed to education and offers a range of programs and exhibits for children and adults alike. The museum offers a variety of exhibits and programs on topics such as paleontology, astronomy, and Native American culture. Visitors can also participate in hands-on activities, including a dig pit where they can excavate fossils, a planetarium, and a giant model of the human body.
The museum's collections and exhibits are complemented by its beautiful historic building, which features a stunning Romanesque-style architecture. The building was designed by architect Claude W. Thornquist and features a grand hall with a large stone fireplace and high vaulted ceilings. Visitors can also explore the museum's beautiful grounds, which feature beautiful gardens and a historic walking trail.
The Hastings Museum of Natural and Cultural History is an important cultural institution in Hastings and Nebraska, providing a unique opportunity for visitors to explore the natural and cultural heritage of the region. With its vast collection of natural history specimens and cultural artifacts, its commitment to education, and its beautiful historic building and grounds, the museum is an essential destination for anyone interested in exploring the rich history and culture of the American Great Plains.
The Hastings Museum is an accredited member of the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) and is recognized for its commitment to excellence in museums. The museum has also been recognized for its extensive collections and exhibits, including a recent exhibit on the paleontology of the Great Plains, which was recognized by the AAM as one of the top exhibits in the nation.
With its rich history, stunning architecture, and world-class collections, the Hastings Museum of Natural and Cultural History is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling through Nebraska. Whether you are a historian, a scientist, or simply a curious traveler, the museum has something for everyone.
The museum's natural history collection includes over 500 taxidermied animals, including a giant Kodiak bear, a Florida manatee, and a great white shark, which are displayed in realistic dioramas. The collection also features a vast array of fossils, including those of ancient Nebraska species such as the dinosaur species Edmontosaurus, Triceratops, and Tyrannosaurus. Visitors can also explore the Hall of the Universe, which features exhibits on astronomy and space exploration, including a scale model of the solar system.
The museum is also home to a large collection of cultural artifacts, including exhibits on the lives of the indigenous peoples of Nebraska, early European settlers, and the pioneer era. Visitors can explore recreations of a pioneer sod house, a one-room schoolhouse, and a historic log cabin. The museum also features a collection of artifacts from the town's early days, including historic farm equipment, railroads, and pioneer-era households.
The Hastings Museum is committed to education and offers a range of programs and exhibits for children and adults alike. The museum offers a variety of exhibits and programs on topics such as paleontology, astronomy, and Native American culture. Visitors can also participate in hands-on activities, including a dig pit where they can excavate fossils, a planetarium, and a giant model of the human body.
The museum's collections and exhibits are complemented by its beautiful historic building, which features a stunning Romanesque-style architecture. The building was designed by architect Claude W. Thornquist and features a grand hall with a large stone fireplace and high vaulted ceilings. Visitors can also explore the museum's beautiful grounds, which feature beautiful gardens and a historic walking trail.
The Hastings Museum of Natural and Cultural History is an important cultural institution in Hastings and Nebraska, providing a unique opportunity for visitors to explore the natural and cultural heritage of the region. With its vast collection of natural history specimens and cultural artifacts, its commitment to education, and its beautiful historic building and grounds, the museum is an essential destination for anyone interested in exploring the rich history and culture of the American Great Plains.
The Hastings Museum is an accredited member of the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) and is recognized for its commitment to excellence in museums. The museum has also been recognized for its extensive collections and exhibits, including a recent exhibit on the paleontology of the Great Plains, which was recognized by the AAM as one of the top exhibits in the nation.
With its rich history, stunning architecture, and world-class collections, the Hastings Museum of Natural and Cultural History is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling through Nebraska. Whether you are a historian, a scientist, or simply a curious traveler, the museum has something for everyone.
