Lincoln - In October of 2019, History Nebraska began renovations to expand and enhance the visitor experience at the Chimney Rock Museum. The expansion project included new interactive exhibits, expanded education rooms, storm shelter, and conference space.
After a soft reopening in 2020, the Chimney Rock Museum is fully open this season to visitors. To celebrate the reopening, History Nebraska is holding a special reopening ceremony on Saturday, July 17th. The public is invited to attend.
Festivities will be held in the morning, with refreshments and ribbon-cutting starting at 10:30 am MDT. History Nebraska Director and CEO Trevor Jones and History Nebraska Board of Trustees President Marilyn Moore will speak at the ribbon-cutting event. Admission to Chimney Rock Museum will be free for the entire day, 9 am - 4 pm.
The NEBRASKAland Foundation will also present History Nebraska with the annual Rising Star Award. The award recognizes outstanding new tourism attractions or significant expansions to existing attractions and economic and social development efforts. The NEBRASKAland Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation with the Governor as the honorary chairperson formed to enhance Nebraskans' pride in the Good Life and display this quality of life to guests visiting the great state of Nebraska, according to their website. It was established in 1962. The award was created in 1999 and was first presented in 2000 to the Kearney Archway.
About History Nebraska
History Nebraska collects, preserves, and shares Nebraska’s history for all people. History Nebraska operates the Nebraska History Museum in Lincoln and historic sites around the state including Chimney Rock Museum, Fort Robinson History Center, Neligh Mill State Historic Site, Thomas Kennard State Historic Site, Senator George Norris State Historic Site, John Neihardt State Historic Site, and over 570 historical markers placed across Nebraska. History Nebraska administers the State Archives and Library; the State Historic Preservation Office; the Gerald R. Ford Conservation Center; the Office of the State Archeologist; publishes Nebraska History Magazine and books; and is responsible for the administration of the Nebraska Hall of Fame Commission. More at https://history.nebraska.gov and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.