Nebraska for History -- & Prehistory -- Buffs

Strategic Air and Space Museum - South Bend

I-80 Exit 426. The grand opening of the new SAC Museum was in 1998. The new facility boasts numerous military aircraft, interactive children's gallery, permanent restoration center, research library, 200-seat theater and a traveling exhibition area. Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Years Day. Admission: $6 adults (13 & over), $5 seniors, $3 children 5 - 12), 5 & under free. Group rates. Handicapped accessible. (800) 358-5029

Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park - Royal

2 miles west and 6 miles north of Royal, or 4 miles east and 6 miles north of Orchard. The park is a joint project of the University of Nebraska State Museum and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. After a major deposit of volcanic ash, this unique park contains the fossilized remains of 10-million-year-old mammals that died at a watering hole following a massive volcanic eruption. Visitors can observe the excavation of complete skeletons in the "Rhino Barn." Open daily Memorial Day - Labor Day, Mon. - Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Limited hours shortly before Memorial Day & after Labor Day. During the rest of the year, special arrangements can be made for tour or school groups. Park entry permit required. Admission $3 Adults, $2 Students. (402) 893-2000.

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument - Harrison

20 miles south (34 miles north of Mitchell) on Nebr. 29. See fossil beds with bones of animals formed 19 million years ago. The Visitors Center contains paleontology exhibits and Native American artifacts. The monument includes upper Niobrara River wetlands set it a High plains ecosystem. Memorial Day - Labor Day, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. Labor Day - Memorial Day, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day & New Years Day. Trails are open daily, year round from dawn to dusk. Visually impaired assistance available. Admission $5 per vehicle or $2 per person for a 7 day permit, or Golden Eagle/Age/Access pass. $15/vehicle annual pass for Agate Fossil Beds Monument, Scotts Bluff Monument or Fort Laramie Natl. Park. 16 & under free. (308) 668-2211. Handicapped Accessible.

Fort Atkinson State Historical Park - Fort Calhoun

Madison St. First U.S. fort west of the Missouri River played a major role in the western expansion and fur trade. Grounds open in the summer season from 8 a.m.-7 p.m., 9 a.m. to sunset the rest of the year. Visitor Center and interpretive facilities open daily May 27-Sept. 4: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sept. 9-Oct. 29 Sat-Sun only 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Pre-arranged tours from mid-April-mid-November Periodic living history demonstrations. Park entry permit required. (402) 468-5611. Facilities are marginally designed to serve the handicapped at this time.

Fort Hartsuff State Historical Park - Burwell

South of Burwell on Nebr. 11 to Elyria: 3 1/2 miles north. Restored 1870 plains infantry post. Living history and guides in period uniforms. Grounds open 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Memorial weekend-Labor Day, and 9 a.m.-sunset the rest of the year. Visitor and interpretive facilities open daily May 28-Sept. 5: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., after season and after hours tours may be conducted at Superintenden's discretion. Park entry permit required. (308) 346-4715. Handicapped Accessible.

Fort Kearny State Historical Park - Kearney

4 miles south on Nebr. 44 and 4 miles east on L50A. Important frontier outpost on the Oregon Trail features recreated stockade, blacksmith shop and other structures. Grounds openfrom sunrise to seneset year round. Visitor center and interpretive structures open daily Memorial weekend to Labor Day, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Park entry permit required. (308) 865-5305 Handicapped Accessible.

Fort Kearny State Recreation Area - Kearney

3/4 mile east and 1 mile north of Fort Kearny State Historical Park. Exceptional camping. Enjoy a 5-mile hike-bike trail along the Platte River. This is the site of the annual spring migrations of the sandhill cranes, the world's largest gathering of the species. Open year-round. Park entry permit required. Camping fee.

Fort McPherson National Cemetery - Maxwell

2 miles south of I-80 exit. Fort McPherson once guarded the Oregon Trail. It is now Nebraska's only National Cemetery and one of America's most beautiful. Open year round 7 days a week. Office is open Mon-Fri: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., except holidays. FREE (308) 582-4433. Handicapped Accessible.

Fort Robinson State Park - Crawford

3 miles west on U.S. 20. Perfect destination for an entire vacation. Visitors can stay where blue-coated cavalrymen once bunked. Activities include trail rides, historic tours, cookouts, swimming, trout fishing, crafts, hiking, jeep and stagecoach rides, and more. Park grounds open year-round for day use, hiking and camping, mountain biking, cross-country skiing and hunting in season. Cabins, lodge, modern facilities, and big-game firearm and wild turkey season Cabins open Apr. 4 thru mid-Nov. Park office open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays except during cabin season, then open 24 hours Memorial Day-Labor Day. Visitor activities Memorial Day-Labor Day plus limited schedule in fall. Group tours offered for museums. Park entry permit required. Camping fee charged. (308) 665-2900. Handicapped Accessible.

Fort Sidney Museum and Post Commander's Home - Sidney

Garrison was built to protect railroad workers in the late 1800s. Historical markers give the history of the old railroad town and the north-south trails to the gold fields in the Black Hills. The Museum, 6th & Jackson St., is open May 1 - Labor Day: 9-11 a.m., 1-3 p.m. daily. Post Commander's Home, 1153 6th Ave., open Memorial Day-Labor Day: 9-11 a.m., 1-3 p.m. daily, Mountain Time. FREE. (308) 254-2150. Handicapped Accessible.

General Crook House at Fort Omaha - Omaha

30th & Fort Sts. Indian Wars' General headquartered at Fort Omaha during his career. Available for reservation. Step-on guide for tour of city or Fort Omaha; private parties; business meetings. Crook House Victorian Heirloom Garden: 107 varieties of 1880 flowers. Open Tue.-Fri., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; guided tours, Sun. 1-4 p.m., or by appointment. Admission $3.50 adults, $1.50 children. (402) 455-9990. Handicapped Accessible.