Really Big Willa Cather Book Club Event (Read More)
The Gering Civic Plaza Sculpture Project Committee - Crystal Sandberg, Rita Stinner and Gretchen Peters, - installed a Littleton Alston sculpture of Nebraska author Willa Cather in Gering to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of American Independence and 50th Anniversary of Nebraska’s Interstate-80 sculptures. This free event helps celebrate the statue's installation. Read Cather’s My Antonia and meet for interactive discussion with fellow readers. Ashley Olson will present her talk “My Antonia: The Story of an American Novel”. She will lead discussion and field questions. Scottsbluff and Gering Libraries have copies of My Antonia on hand for check out.
The Gering Civic Plaza Sculpture Project Committee - Crystal Sandberg, Rita Stinner and Gretchen Peters, - installed a Littleton Alston sculpture of Nebraska author Willa Cather in Gering to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of American Independence and 50th Anniversary of Nebraska’s Interstate-80 sculptures. This free event helps celebrate the statue's installation. The movie “O Pioneers” starring Jessica Lange and based on Cather’s book will be shown. Ashley Olson, Executive Director of the Cather Foundation in Red Cloud and Cather expert, will be on hand to discuss and answer questions about the movie and to lend depth to the project.
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Gage County Historical Society and Museum 250th Event (Read More)
A full day of history, community, and celebration. Please RSVP your attendance to the afternoon 2pm- 4pm sessions and evening programs at 402-228-1679. 9:00 AM “How We Celebrate: Honoring the 250th Anniversary of the US” Exhibit open exclusively for neurodivergent guests 10:00 AM Community Welcome on the Lawn “How We Celebrate: Honoring the 250th Anniversary of the US” Exhibit Opening, Flag Ceremony Presented by the Sons of the American Revolution 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Living History & Hands-On Activities • Victorian Children’s Games — Rayma Diltz Volkmer • Colonial & Victorian Crafts — Gage County Historical Society & Beatrice Art Guild • American Revolution Displays & Activities o Daughters of the American Revolution: Children’s tri-corn hat craft o Sons of the American Revolution: Artifact and weapons displays 1:00 PM Ice Cream Social (Free Will Offering) Hosted by Gage County Historical Society, Patriotic Songs on the Lawn Featuring the Homestead Harmonizers (A cappella group) 2:00 PM The History of the Declaration of Independence Presented by Dennis Applegarth Location: Layman Room 3:00 PM Remembering the Ladies Presented by Janie York, Humanities Nebraska Location: Layman Room 4:00 PM Exhibit Closing “How We Celebrate: Honoring the 250th Anniversary of the US” Exhibit concludes 7:00 PM Secrets of the Boston Tea Party (Hybrid Program) Presented by Tea with Claire The story of tea has always carried an air of intrigue—none more dramatic than when it became a catalyst for revolution. Join Anglophile and former UK resident Claire Evans as she explores the political tensions tea created between England and Colonial America. Then, author, genealogist, and librarian Debra M. Dudek uncovers the real participants (and the pretenders) behind the Boston Tea Party, along with methods for tracing legitimate connections through lineage societies and historical groups. This event will also be conducted over Zoom.
Homestead National Historical Park is hosting a full weekend of free activities, demonstrations, and performances that allow visitors to explore how the ideals and hopes of the American Revolution continued through the era of the Homestead Act, extending into the 1980s and beyond. Homestead National Historical Park will be celebrating America’s 250th birthday with expanding demonstrations broken down by decades and a special Junior Ranger activity to explore it all. Through hands-on experiences and engaging presentations, visitors can discover how the ideals of the nation’s founding continued through the Homestead Act and into the lives of homesteaders across generations. This year’s stage presentations will feature music, dance, and living history performances that share cultural traditions and personal stories connected to the homesteading experience and the broader American story. Saturday, June 27 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Traditional craft demonstrations and antique farming demonstrations Noon The Bloomer Costume: Dress Reform and Women’s Freedom, Rayma Volkmer 1 p.m. Acapella Men’s Choir, Homestead Harmonizers 2 p.m. Wichita War Dancer, Greg Victors 3 p.m. Czech Band, Kenny Janak Orchestra Sunday, June 28 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Traditional craft demonstrations and antique farming demonstrations Noon Dulcimer Music, Courtland Opry House Dulcimer Players 1 p.m. Musical Review , Beatrice Community Players 2 p.m. Musical Patriotic Panoramas, Donna Gunn 3 p.m. Abraham Lincoln Living Historian, Fritz Klein Klein, the event’s keynote presenter, has been featured in multiple Abraham Lincoln documentaries and will share how Abraham Lincoln connected the Homestead Act to the founding principles of the United States. Additional activities will take place throughout the weekend, including opportunities for visitors of all ages to participate in interactive demonstrations and explore the park’s rich history. The site is fee-free year-round. No entrance fee or pass is required.
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Col. Thomas Doane: Massachusetts Engineer to Nebraska Civic and Educational Leader (Read More)
Step back to 1872 and experience a Chautauqua portrayal of Thomas Doane, the chief engineer of the B & M Railroad and famous Hoosac Tunnel Project. Doane was responsible for 240 miles of railroad and telegraph from Plattsmouth to Kearney. He was the co-founder of the town of Crete, Nebraska, founder of the first bank in Crete and with the association of the Congregational church, and founder of Doane College in 1872, so named in his honor. Col. Thomas Doane will be presented by Thomas King.
A bed turning is quilt show where multiple quilts are stacked on a bed and removed one by one, with a presenter sharing the history, techniques, and stories behind each piece. Bed Turnings started as a way for women to showcase their finest needlework to neighbors. This Bed Turning is a way for the Hastings Museum to showcase some of our quilts and textiles with our neighbors.
Omaha's premier handbell ensemble performs a wide range of music celebrating 250 years of American music history. Concert is free to the public. Freewill donations appreciated. Family friendly.
Omaha's premier handbell ensemble performs a wide range of music celebrating 250 years of American music history. Concert is free to the public. Freewill donations appreciated. Family friendly.
Omaha's premier handbell ensemble performs a wide range of music celebrating 250 years of American music history. Concert is free to the public. Freewill donations appreciated. Family friendly.
The Gage County Museum will join the nation in commemorating 250 years of American independence with a special summer exhibition. This exhibit will highlight how our communities have celebrated patriotism, parades, and milestones across generations — connecting local traditions to the broader story of America. Museum hours are Wednesday–Saturday, 10am–4pm, closed major holidays. Admission is free, but donations are welcomed. The exhibition will be featured during two community events: June 13, 2026 - America 250 Celebration June 17-20, 2026- Homestead Days
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Threads of Freedom: Quilting America’s Story, Featuring a Sneak Peek of “The American Revolution” (Read More)
Kick off America’s 250th birthday celebrations at Stuhr Museum with a special event previewing "The American Revolution", the highly anticipated new documentary from Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt. This open-house-style event will explore the vital role that women and quilting play in stitching our national story from the Revolutionary War through Nebraska’s history and still today. Watch excerpts from "The American Revolution." Then, a talkback follows with Susan Long, an early American History lecturer from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, who will bring these pivotal moments to life. Previews of The American Revolution will be shown at 11:15 a.m., 12:15 or 1:15 p.m. All previews are identical. Join a hands-on quilting workshop for all ages and skill levels led by members of the Stuhr Museum team and contribute to creating a community quilt in honor of America 250. Experience a pop-up exhibit showcasing treasured quilts from the Stuhr Museum’s collection and explore their entire campus. Registration is requested for this free event. For more information, or to register, visit https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/watch/community-engagement/the-american-revolution/
