See the heartwarming story of the North Platte Canteen at the Lincoln County Historical Museum
One trip to the Lincoln County Historical Museum and you’ll see why it gets Buffalo Bill’s Buffalo of Approval. The museum contains a mix of railroad, old west, early pioneer, agricultural, and WWII history that makes it an intriguing mix for any history buff.
Early pioneer history is preserved in the Western Heritage Village which is home to restored buildings dating from the 1860’s Pony Express log cabin to the 1917 Country Church. Also included are the 1963 Fort McPherson headquarters, 1899 Fredericksen home, 1869 two story log home of the first homesteader in Lincoln County, 1900 barber shop, and the 1876 birthplace of William Jeffers, President of Union Pacific Railroad from 1937 through 1946.
The Museum is also the home of the World War II North Platte Canteen exhibit, which served more than 6.5 million service men and women from Christmas Day 1941 through April 1st, 1946. Every day, as many as 5,000 service members visited the North Platte Canteen in the Union Pacific Depot. Many never forgot the ten minute stop, as sixty years of thank-you letters can attest.
In addition to the exhibits inside the main museum and the collection of historic buildings, there’s also a large collection of antique farm machinery, including tractors in working condition, as well as restored antique autos that are periodically on display. For a truly unique experience come by on the 4th of July for the annual anvil shooting.
Hands on history spanning the last 200 years. That’s why Buffalo Bill loves the Lincoln County Historical Museum. Stop by and see why it gets his coveted Buffalo of Approval.
Open May 1 – September 30
Monday-Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm and Sunday 1:00pm-5:00pm
