Lincoln County Historical Museum in North Platte, Nebraska

Written By Kelsey Cecil

North Platte, Nebraska · Updated October 19, 2026 · 12 min read

Museum with a major rail exhibitOpen May 1 to September 30; October to April by appointment

Opened by the Lincoln County Historical Society on July 4, 1976, the Lincoln County Historical Museum tells the story of west-central Nebraska through railroad, pioneer, farm and World War II history, including the beloved North Platte Canteen.

  • Opened July 4, 1976
  • About eight acres of grounds
  • North Platte Canteen exhibit
  • Western Heritage Village
  • Pony Express cabin
  • Kids 5 and under free

Lincoln County Historical Museum at a glance

Hours
May 1 to September 30: Monday to Saturday 9 am to 5 pm, Sunday 1 to 5 pm; October to April by appointment
Admission
Adults (13 and up) $10, children 6 to 12 $5, 5 and under free, members free
Seasonal events
Summer History Lecture Series, Candle making, rope making and hay baling demonstrations, America 250 Exhibit (2026)
Plan for
About 2 hours to see the main building and village
Best for
History fans, families and World War II buffs
Best ages
Ages 5 and up
Parking
The museum does not post parking details online; it sits across Buffalo Bill Avenue from the Wild West Arena.

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Lincoln County Historical Museum? Bring Rally along.

In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to North Platte.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

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Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

A county's bicentennial gift that keeps growing

The Lincoln County Historical Society built this museum in the nation's bicentennial year and opened the doors on July 4, 1976. Since then it has steadily added buildings and collections, and today the grounds cover roughly eight acres: a main museum building plus a whole village of historic structures, most of them gathered from around Lincoln County.

The society's mission is to collect, preserve and exhibit the region's history and to make that history useful for everyone, from school groups to retirees. Inside, the story moves through Native American culture on the Great Plains, early pioneer settlement, agriculture, the development of the railroad that shaped North Platte, and the Old West. Nebraska's state historical society describes three big themes running through it all: the pioneer period, agriculture and the North Platte Canteen.

That last theme is close to the museum's heart. The North Platte Canteen of World War II is one of the stories visitors most often come to see, and the museum is raising money for a Canteen expansion. It also keeps online exhibits on the Canteen and on North Platte's World War I canteen, so people who cannot travel to North Platte can still learn about the volunteers behind them.

From the main galleries to the Western Heritage Village

Start in the main museum building, where artifacts trace the region from Native American life through pioneer days, farming, the coming of the railroad and World War II. The North Platte Canteen exhibit is the emotional center for many visitors, and railroad material appears throughout the story of how the town grew.

Then walk out into the Western Heritage Village, where restored buildings dating back to the 1860s stand on the grounds, including a Pony Express cabin. The museum offers a printable village map, which helps with planning the loop. Through the season, demonstrations such as candle making, rope making and hay baling, along with the Summer History Lecture Series, bring the old skills back to life.

Don’t miss

  1. The North Platte Canteen exhibitThe World War II Canteen is one of the museum's three core themes, and the museum is actively raising funds to expand it.
  2. Railroad history displaysExhibits on the development of the railroad show how the line shaped North Platte and the surrounding county.
  3. The Pony Express cabinOne of the historic structures in the village, it connects the county to the earliest overland mail era.
  4. Western Heritage VillageRestored buildings from as early as the 1860s, gathered mostly from around Lincoln County, fill the eight-acre grounds.
  5. Living history demonstrationsCandle making, rope making and hay baling days let kids see pioneer skills done by hand.

A village to roam and old skills to watch

Children usually like the village best, since they can walk from one historic building to the next instead of staying in one gallery. Event days with candle making, rope making and hay baling give them something to watch and ask about. Kids 5 and under get in free, and ages 6 to 12 pay a reduced price, which makes a summer stop easy on a family budget.

The grounds are about eight acres, so plan on some walking outdoors between buildings, and bring water and sun protection on hot summer days. The museum does not post accessibility details online, so call (308) 534-5640 if you need to know about paths or building entrances.

Plan your visit: tips for Lincoln County Historical Museum

  • From I-80, take Exit 177 and follow the museum's posted directions up Buffalo Bill Avenue.
  • Visiting between October and April? Call ahead to book an appointment.
  • Download the Museum Village map from the museum's website before you walk the grounds.
  • Members get in free, so a membership can pay off for local families who visit more than once.

The historical society behind the museum

The Lincoln County Historical Society built the museum and still runs it, and community support is what lets it add buildings and collections. Visitors can help by becoming members, giving to the Canteen expansion, attending the summer lectures and demonstration days, or requesting printed brochures to share with friends and tour groups.

North Platte's other railroad stops

North Platte is a railroad town, and two more stops are only about 2 miles away: the Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center and the Cody Park Railroad Museum. The Union Pacific depot exhibits are about 3 miles away. See all of Nebraska's train museums for a longer trip.

Every train museum in Nebraska

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of Rally the corgi dreaming about his toy turtle, green bone and yellow ball
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

Walking a museum like this one, full of things pioneer families carried across the plains, I always wonder what mattered enough to pack. Rally's answer in our book is easy: his turtle toy, his green bone and his yellow ball. My kids are learning to read now, and they love pointing out each one in his little suitcase. My mom thought of those details first, and I wrote them down after we lost her in 2021. Her story is on our our story page.

Free for train families

Print the Rally coloring pages before you go

Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.

Get the free coloring pages
Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

More for train families

Work or volunteer at Lincoln County Historical Museum?

We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.

Sources

Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.

Lincoln County Historical Museum: 20 questions for your visit

Where is the Lincoln County Historical Museum?

The Lincoln County Historical Museum is at 2403 North Buffalo Bill Avenue in North Platte, Nebraska, on the east side of the street across from the Wild West Arena. From I-80, take Exit 177 north on Dewey Street, which becomes Jeffers Street, turn left on Rodeo Road, then right on Buffalo Bill Avenue.

What are the Lincoln County Historical Museum hours?

As of October 2026, the museum is open May 1 through September 30, Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 1 to 5 pm. Hours can shift for events or weather, so call (308) 534-5640 before a long drive to North Platte.

Is the Lincoln County Historical Museum open in winter?

From October through April the museum is open by appointment only. Call the museum office at (308) 534-5640 or email lincomuseum@gmail.com to set up a visit. The website also notes sandhill crane season in mid-March, a busy time for travelers in the area, so ask about spring visits when you call.

How much is admission to the Lincoln County Historical Museum?

As of October 2026, admission is $10 for adults and teens 13 and up, $5 for children ages 6 to 12, and free for children 5 and under. Members of the museum get in free. Prices can change, so check lincolncountymuseum.org or call (308) 534-5640 to confirm before your visit.

Does the Lincoln County Historical Museum have railroad exhibits?

Yes. Railroad history is woven through the museum alongside Old West, pioneer, farm and World War II history, including displays on how the railroad developed and shaped North Platte. For a bigger dose of trains, pair your visit with the Golden Spike Tower and Cody Park, both about 2 miles away.

What is the North Platte Canteen exhibit?

The North Platte Canteen of World War II is one of the museum's three central themes, and its exhibit is a highlight for many visitors. The museum is raising funds to expand the Canteen space and also offers online exhibits on the World War II Canteen and North Platte's World War I canteen.

When did the Lincoln County Historical Museum open?

The Lincoln County Historical Society built the museum in 1976 and opened it on July 4, 1976, the nation's bicentennial. It has grown ever since, adding historic buildings from around the county to create a village that now spreads across roughly eight acres next to the main museum building.

What is in the Western Heritage Village?

The Western Heritage Village is a collection of mostly historic structures from the Lincoln County area, with restored buildings dating back to the 1860s, set on the museum grounds. A Pony Express cabin is among them. The museum offers a downloadable village map on its About page to help you plan your walk.

Is there a Pony Express cabin at the Lincoln County Historical Museum?

Yes. A Pony Express cabin is one of the historic buildings on the museum's grounds, part of the village that tells the story of early pioneer life in the region. It is a good stop for kids learning about the overland trails and how mail crossed the plains before the railroad.

How long should I plan at the Lincoln County Historical Museum?

Plan on about two hours to see the main museum building and walk through the village at a comfortable pace. Add more time on event days with demonstrations or a lecture. The grounds cover about eight acres, so wear comfortable shoes and bring water in summer.

Is the Lincoln County Historical Museum good for kids?

Yes, especially for school-age kids. Children 5 and under get in free, and the village gives them room to move between historic buildings. Demonstration days with candle making, rope making and hay baling are a hands-on way to see pioneer skills. Younger toddlers may prefer a shorter loop.

What events does the Lincoln County Historical Museum hold?

The museum's calendar includes the Summer History Lecture Series and living history days such as candle making, rope making and hay baling. In summer 2026 it also hosted an America 250 exhibit. Check the Museum Events calendar on lincolncountymuseum.org for current dates, since many events fall in the May to September season.

Is there parking at the Lincoln County Historical Museum?

The museum does not post parking details online. It sits on the east side of North Buffalo Bill Avenue across from the Wild West Arena, and you can call (308) 534-5640 to ask where to park, especially if you are bringing an RV or a tour bus.

Is the Lincoln County Historical Museum wheelchair accessible?

The museum does not list accessibility details online. Because the village spreads across about eight acres with older buildings, call (308) 534-5640 before you go to ask about paths, building entrances and which areas are easiest to reach with a wheelchair or stroller.

Can groups or schools tour the Lincoln County Historical Museum?

The museum welcomes questions about visits and offers printed brochures and maps by request through its website. It does not post a group rate online, so call the office at (308) 534-5640 or use the contact form to arrange a group or school visit, especially in the October to April appointment season.

How do I become a member of the Lincoln County Historical Museum?

The museum offers memberships, and members get free admission. A membership brochure can be downloaded from the About page of lincolncountymuseum.org, or you can call (308) 534-5640 to ask about levels. Membership helps the historical society care for the collection and the village buildings.

How can I donate to the North Platte Canteen expansion?

The museum is collecting donations for its Canteen expansion, and a donate link appears on the home page of lincolncountymuseum.org. You can also call the office at (308) 534-5640 or email lincomuseum@gmail.com to ask about giving by check or supporting another part of the museum.

Who runs the Lincoln County Historical Museum?

The Lincoln County Historical Society built the museum and operates it. Its mission is to collect, preserve and exhibit the history of the region while providing education and inspiration for everyone. The society relies on members, donors and visitors to keep the main building and the village in good shape.

Does the Lincoln County Historical Museum have online exhibits?

Yes. The museum's online exhibits expand on what is shown in person and highlight small collections that might never go on display. Current topics include the North Platte Canteen and the North Platte World War I canteen, and the museum also posts videos on its YouTube channel.

What train attractions are near the Lincoln County Historical Museum?

The Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center and the Cody Park Railroad Museum are each about 2 miles away, and the North Platte Union Pacific depot exhibits are about 3 miles. Further east, the Nebraska Prairie Museum in Holdrege is about 89 miles away, and Stuhr Museum in Grand Island about 129 miles.

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