Stuhr Museum Railroad Town in Grand Island, Nebraska

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Grand Island, Nebraska · Updated October 19, 2026 · 10 min read

Museum with a major rail exhibitOpen daily March to October; Tuesday to Sunday November to February

Railroad Town is the living history village at Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer in Grand Island, a recreated 1890s prairie town of original period buildings where costumed living historians work the trades that kept a railroad community going.

  • Living history 1890s railroad town
  • Original period buildings
  • Costumed living historians
  • 200-acre museum campus
  • Toddler Tuesdays program

Stuhr Museum Railroad Town at a glance

Hours
March to October: daily 9 am to 4 pm (Fridays to 8 pm, March to August). November to February: Tuesday to Sunday 10 am to 4 pm, closed Monday
Admission
Check the Hours and Admission page at stuhrmuseum.org for current prices
Seasonal events
Toddler Tuesdays, Summer Adventures, Homeschool Days
Best for
Families with young kids and pioneer history fans
Best ages
Toddlers to teens
Accessibility
The museum has an accessibility page on its website; call (308) 385-5316 with questions.

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

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Stuhr Museum Railroad Town? 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 Grand Island.

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.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

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

A prairie railroad town, rebuilt one building at a time

Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer was created to preserve the legacy of the pioneers who settled the plains of central Nebraska in the late 1800s. Its centerpiece for many families is Railroad Town, a living history village designed to feel like an 1890s prairie community, made up largely of original period buildings that were moved to the museum grounds.

Today Stuhr describes itself as a humanities organization focused on how people built communities along the Platte River Valley, and it welcomes visitors of every background. The wider campus covers about 200 acres, with the Stuhr Building for exhibits, a Farm Machinery area, and the Edgar and Frances Reynolds Research Center, which holds the museum's library and archives. The museum does not post a detailed history of Railroad Town's buildings online, so ask staff or the living historians when you visit; they are the people who know each building's story.

Boardwalks, storefronts and working trades

In Railroad Town you walk wooden boardwalks past historic storefronts and homes you can step inside, while costumed living historians demonstrate the work and daily routines of a late 1800s railroad town. The museum does not list individual buildings or rail equipment online, so pick up information on site about what is open that day. Indoors, the Stuhr Building hosts changing exhibits, such as the summer 2026 wildlife photography show A Life in the Wild.

Don’t miss

  1. Railroad Town's living historiansCostumed townsfolk demonstrate working trades and answer questions about life in an 1890s prairie railroad town.
  2. The historic homesOriginal period houses moved to the site show how families lived in the Platte River Valley.
  3. The Stuhr BuildingThe museum's main exhibit building hosts touring and permanent exhibits indoors.

Toddler Tuesdays, summer adventures and lots of room to roam

Stuhr runs programs aimed at children, including Toddler Tuesdays, Homeschool Days, Summer Adventures and a Living History Apprentice Program for kids who want to take part in the town's life. Railroad Town is outdoors and spread across the campus, so plan for walking, weather and sun. The museum keeps a separate accessibility page and a food page on its website; check both before you go.

Plan your visit: tips for Stuhr Museum Railroad Town

  • Winter hours start in November, and the museum is closed Mondays from November to February.
  • Spring and summer Fridays run late, until 8 pm, March through August.
  • Research visits to the library and archives need an appointment at least 72 hours ahead.
  • Dress for outdoor walking in Railroad Town.

Living historians, educators and a museum foundation

Stuhr Museum's living historians, educators and research staff keep Railroad Town and the wider campus running, and a museum foundation supports the work. Visitors can help by donating, shopping the online store, booking a field trip or enrolling kids in programs like the Living History Apprentice Program.

Rail history around Grand Island

In Grand Island itself, the Railside Green Arboretum has historic railroad exhibits. About 63 miles southwest, the Nebraska Prairie Museum in Holdrege is another good stop, and the Cody Park Railroad Museum in North Platte is about 127 miles west along I-80. See more Nebraska train museums.

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.

A whole town of 1890s homes makes me think about how little most families could carry west. Rally, in our book, is a much luckier traveler: his suitcase holds exactly three treasures, a turtle toy, a green bone and a yellow ball, and he is riding with Mom and Dad to see his grand-paw-rents. My mom chose those three things. Little readers who love lists might enjoy our train books for toddlers too.

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 Stuhr Museum Railroad Town?

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.

Stuhr Museum Railroad Town: 20 questions families ask

What is Railroad Town at Stuhr Museum?

Railroad Town is the living history village at Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer in Grand Island, Nebraska. It recreates an 1890s prairie railroad community using many original period buildings moved to the grounds, and costumed living historians demonstrate the trades and daily life that kept a railroad town going.

Where is Stuhr Museum Railroad Town?

Railroad Town is on the Stuhr Museum campus at 3133 West Highway 34 in Grand Island, Nebraska 68801. The museum covers about 200 acres, so follow signs from the main entrance to the village. Call (308) 385-5316 for directions or questions before you arrive.

What are the Stuhr Museum hours?

As of October 2026, regular hours from March through October are 9 am to 4 pm, seven days a week, with Fridays open until 8 pm from March through August. Winter hours from November through February are Tuesday through Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm, closed Mondays. Confirm on stuhrmuseum.org.

Is Railroad Town open in winter?

Stuhr Museum stays open in winter, Tuesday through Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm, November through February. The museum does not post which Railroad Town buildings or living history demonstrations run in the cold months, so call (308) 385-5316 to ask what will be open on your date.

How much is admission to Stuhr Museum?

Stuhr Museum posts current prices on the Hours and Admission page of stuhrmuseum.org. Prices are not repeated elsewhere online, so check that page or call (308) 385-5316 before you go, especially if you are bringing a large family or a group.

Can you ride a train at Stuhr Museum Railroad Town?

The museum does not advertise train rides at Railroad Town. The village focuses on historic buildings, working trades and costumed interpreters who show life in an 1890s railroad community. If a ride is a must for your kids, call (308) 385-5316 to ask about any special event days.

Who are the costumed people at Railroad Town?

They are Stuhr Museum's living historians. Dressed for the 1890s, they demonstrate the jobs and household routines of a prairie railroad town and talk with visitors about the people who shaped the Platte River Valley. Kids can ask them questions as they work.

Is Stuhr Museum Railroad Town good for toddlers?

Yes. Stuhr offers a Toddler Tuesdays program, and young children usually enjoy wandering the boardwalks and peeking into historic homes and shops. The village is outdoors with plenty of walking, so bring a stroller or carrier and plan around the weather. Check the museum calendar for Toddler Tuesday dates.

Does Stuhr Museum offer field trips?

Yes. Schools can choose structured classes or self-guided exploration, with separate options for the school year and summer, and virtual field trips are available for classes that cannot travel. Contact education@stuhrmuseum.org or call (308) 385-5316 to book.

What kids programs does Stuhr Museum have?

Stuhr's programs for young people include Toddler Tuesdays, Homeschool Days, Summer Adventures, summer field trips and the Living History Apprentice Program, along with scholarships. Dates and details are on the Learn section of stuhrmuseum.org. Many programs fill up, so sign up early once dates are posted, and call (308) 385-5316 with questions.

How long should I spend at Stuhr Museum?

The museum does not suggest a visit length, but with a 200-acre campus, Railroad Town, the Stuhr Building and the farm machinery area, most families will want a good part of a day. Arrive early, since regular hours end at 4 pm except on spring and summer Fridays.

Is Stuhr Museum wheelchair accessible?

Stuhr Museum keeps an accessibility page on its website with details for visitors. Railroad Town is an outdoor village with boardwalks and historic buildings, so call (308) 385-5316 ahead of time to ask about routes and which buildings are easiest to enter.

Is there food at Stuhr Museum?

The museum has a Food page in the Visit section of its website describing dining options. Because the campus is large and mostly outdoors, check that page before you go and plan snacks and water for kids, especially on hot summer days.

What is the Stuhr Building?

The Stuhr Building is the museum's main exhibit building on the Grand Island campus. It hosts touring exhibitions, such as A Life in the Wild, wildlife photographs by Thomas D. Mangelsen shown June 20 to September 7, 2026. Check the Current Exhibits page for what is showing now.

What is the full name of Stuhr Museum?

The full name is Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer. It was created to preserve the legacy of the pioneers who settled the plains of central Nebraska in the late 1800s, and today it calls itself a humanities organization sharing the story of community building along the Platte River Valley.

Can I do research at Stuhr Museum?

Yes. The library and archives are in the Edgar and Frances Reynolds Research Center, open by appointment Monday through Friday from 9 am to 4 pm, with Saturdays by appointment only. Book at least 72 hours ahead by emailing research@stuhrmuseum.org.

Is Stuhr Museum open late on Fridays?

Yes, in season. As of October 2026, Stuhr Museum stays open until 8 pm on Fridays from March through August. That makes a Friday evening a cooler time to walk Railroad Town in summer. Confirm the current schedule on stuhrmuseum.org.

How can I support Stuhr Museum?

You can donate to the museum or its foundation, shop the online store, take adult classes, or enroll kids in summer programs. Every visit and field trip also supports the work of keeping Railroad Town's historic buildings and living history programs going.

How do I contact Stuhr Museum?

Call (308) 385-5316 or email info@stuhrmuseum.org. For school programs use education@stuhrmuseum.org, and for the library and archives use research@stuhrmuseum.org. The mailing and street address is 3133 West Highway 34, Grand Island, NE 68801. Messages through the museum's Facebook page are another option for quick questions.

What other train sites are near Stuhr Museum?

The Railside Green Arboretum in Grand Island has historic railroad exhibits, the Nebraska Prairie Museum in Holdrege is about 63 miles away, and North Platte's Cody Park Railroad Museum and Union Pacific depot exhibits are about 127 miles west along I-80.

Keep exploring

More family train guides from Rally

Kelsey Cecil
Previous

Train Museums in Rhode Island: Every Railroad Museum by Town
Next

M-Line Trolley (McKinney Avenue Transit Authority) in Dallas, Texas