Banner County Museum

category : Museums

One of the best-kept secrets in the Nebraska Panhandle is the Banner County Museum. This museum is considered the crown jewel of museums in the area and houses hundreds of artifacts and articles from prehistoric times to the sod buster days.

10 historic buildings are located on the grounds and the main building features generations of historic items that include rare china and glassware, Indian arrowheads, warclubs, brands, military rosters beginning with the Civil War, and pioneer memorials and photographs. Separate buildings house an antique farm machinery collection, a steam engine, prairie fire-fighting equipment, and other vehicles.

The one room sod house shows us the meager space and dirt floor which served the "sod-busing" pioneers very well. Adjacent to this is a wonderful log house, which seems very spacious in comparison. It is tastefully furnished and has a warm cozy feeling even in this day. A large barn, intitally constructed in 1910 in eastern Banner county was moved with a true pioneer effort the 25 miles to the museum grounds.

Community life of our ancestors is well envisioned in the 1880 pioneer church and the 1888 log schoolhouse. Both of these structures are utilized every fall to all area fourth graders to experinece schooling and life of those who settled this area.

Additional community life is represented in the old Banner County Bank, which began operations prior to 1890, and a 1930 service station. There is also an old fashioned drug store housing a 40-year collection of pharmacy artifacts. The newest structure is a rock house.

Hours: Memorial Day through Labor Day
Sunday, 1:30 to 5:30 PM
Other times by appointment.
Address: Harrisburg, NE
Phone: 308-436-1362