Museum on Main Street

Museum on Main Street brings the world-famous Smithsonian museum to rural citizens across Nebraska. These engaging exhibitions focus on common experiences from sparking lasting professional improvement for local cultural organizations.

Museum on Main Street is a partnership between the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service and state humanities councils nationwide that serves the small-town museums and citizens of rural America by sparking lasting professional improvement for local cultural organizations.

On Tour June 2026-July 2027:
SPARK! Places of Innovation

The story of human history is written in inventions and innovations. People are problem- solvers. Sometimes we invent. More often, we innovate—we introduce a fresh idea or an invention into use in some way that creates a new way of doing or thinking.

Invention can happen anywhere and it’s happening right now in small towns across America. Rural Americans are creating new products, taking risks, meeting challenges together, and seizing upon exciting opportunities that change local life and sometimes reach far beyond.

Spark! Places of Innovation is part of Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and State Humanities Councils nationwide. It is based on an exhibition by the National Museum of American History. Support for Museum on Main Street has been provided by the United States Congress.

This exhibition is designed for small museums and similar locations, using art, photography, artifacts and interactives. Previous site hosts for Museum on Main Street exhibitions have experienced increased professional practices among staff and volunteers, increased knowledge of educational practices, learned new exhibition techniques, acquisitions of new items for permanent collections, increased visitor rates, and other benefits. 

See Spark! in these Nebraska communities!

Resources

Call 402.474.2131 to sponsor this traveling exhibition. 

Events

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Today

  • SPARK! Places of Innovation

    Haigler Cornerstone Center 251 E Norman Street, Haigler, NE, United States

    Open on Saturdays, 11 am to 3 pm MDT Opening Reception Saturday, September 26 5-7 pm MDT

  • Asset Mapping: Verdigre Style

    Verdigre Public Library 101 E. 3rd Ave., Verdigre, NE, United States

    Asset Mapping: Verdigre Style Tuesday, Nov 3 5:30-6:30 pm Verdigre Public Library Presented by Nebraska Arts Council This event is part of the SPARK! Places of Innovation exhibition that will run from January 5 – February 13, 2027, at the Verdigre Public Library. The story of human history is written in inventions and innovations. People […]

  • Spark! Places of Innovation

    Madison Public Library 208 W 3rd St, Madison, NE, United States

    At Madison Public Library 208 W 3rd St Madison, NE 68748   11:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Monday – Thursday 11:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Friday

  • What If…? Entrepreneurship Panel – Verdigre

    Verdigre Fire Hall 106 3rd St, Verdigre, NE

    What If…? Entrepreneurship Panel Tuesday, Nov. 10 6:30-8:00 pm Sponsor: Verdigre Public Library Location: Verdigre Fire Hall Moderated by Mike Tobias, Nebraska Public Media Contact: Katie Hollman, Verdigre Public Library director – 402-668-2677, verdigrelibrary@gmail.com This event is part of the SPARK! Places of Innovation exhibition that will run from January 5 – February 13, 2027, […]

  • What If…? Entrepreneurship Panel – Broken Bow

    Custer County Historical Museum 445 South 9th Ave., Broken Bow, NE, United States

    What If…? Entrepreneurship Panel Wednesday, Nov. 11 6:30-7:30 pm Moderated by Mike Tobias, Nebraska Public Media Custer County Museum in Broken Bow Contact: Tammy Hendrickson, Custer County Historical Society/Museum and Research Center director – 308-870-0215, cchs@live.com This event is part of the SPARK! Places of Innovation exhibition, which was in Broken Bow from June 13 […]

  • SPARK! Places of Innovation

    Veridgree Public Library 101 3rd Ave, Verdigre, NE, United States

    Verdigree Public Library 101 3rd Ave, Verdigre, NE 68783 Tuesdays: 12-5 p.m. Wednesdays: 12-6 p.m Thursdays: 12-7 p.m. Fridays 12-5 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Closed Sunday and Monday

  • “Lego Ziplines” for kids

    Verdigre Public Library 101 E. 3rd Ave., Verdigre, NE, United States

    “Lego Ziplines” for kids Tuesday, Jan 12, 2027 3:45-4:30 pm Verdigre Public LIbrary This event is part of the SPARK! Places of Innovation exhibition that will run from January 5 – February 13, 2027, at the Verdigre Public Library. The story of human history is written in inventions and innovations. People are problem- solvers. Sometimes […]

  • SPARK! Places of Innovation

    Plainsman Museum 210 16th St, Aurora, NE, United States

    Plainsman Museum 210 16th St, Aurora, NE 68818 Tuesday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.