Cozad Genealogy Club
Housed in the Wilson Public Library, this organization utilizes the library’s sources as well as a small private collection of research related to local genealogy such as cemetery and census records.

Location:
Wilson Public Library
910 Meridian
Cozad, NE 69130
308-784-2019 (Wilson Public Library)

Hours: By appointment and the 4th Tuesday of each month, beginning at 1:30


Wilson Public Library
The new Wilson Public Library was dedicated in December of 1997. The 12,000 sq. ft. facility opened its doors to the pubic in February, 1998. The library currently has 38,000 books, 650 videos, 725 audio cassette tapes, 55 Audio CD's, 62 magazines, 8 newspapers, and a technology center. The technology center has 6 public access computers with Internet access. The library’s greatest assets are genealogical in nature: newspaper collections beginning in 1897, family histories and local farm histories, annuals from 1947 to current, and funeral records.

Website: www.cozadnebraska.com/library.htm

Location:
910 Meridian Ave.
Cozad, NE 69130
308-784-2019

Hours:
September – May
     Monday – Thursday 10am – 8pm
     Friday 10am – 5pm
     Saturday 10am – 3 pm
June – August
     Monday – Thursday 10am – 6pm
     Friday 10am – 5pm
     Saturday 10am – 3 pm

Organization of archives: The library is divided into children’s, junior, adult sections.

Scope of archives: classic and recently published books

Primary materials available: little to none

Accessibility of artifacts and displays: one glass cased rotating local display exhibit


Dawson County Historical Society

Location:
805 N Taft
Box 369
Lexington, NE 68859


Lexington Genealogy Society
Website: http://www.rootsweb.com/~nedawson/lexsoc.html
Email: ebrummet@atcjet.net

Location:
103 E 10th Street
Box 788
Lexington, NE 68850


Dawson County Historical Museum
This large museum features a wide variety of impressive exhibits: Big Al (the bones of a mammoth); an antique car collection; miniature representations of early 20th century shops (printing press, telephone operator office, bank, barbershop, a carpenter’s shed, etc.); a locomotive and an entire complex devoted to agricultural equipment. Other valuable collections include photographs tracing Lexington’s development, county records of private property since 1880, newspapers and obituaries dating to 1900. Additional private exhibits are regularly displayed in the museum, such as artwork, photography, and Indian material culture.

Website: www.dawsoncountyne.net/dcmuseum/
Email: dchs@nebi.com

Location:
805 Taft St.
Lexington, NE
308-324-5340

Hours:
Monday – Saturday 9am – 5pm
Closed on Sundays and holidays


Lexington Public Library
This small library is expanding and plans to move into its new facilities soon, located across the street from its current location. Archival collections include cemetery records, local newspapers beginning in the 1890’s, local census information since 1860, and court records.

Location:
103 E. 10th St.
Lexington, NE 68850

Hours:
Monday – Thursday, 10am – 9pm
Friday – Saturday, 10am – 5pm
Sunday, 1pm – 5pm


Heartland Museum of Military Vehicles
As a Nebraska non-profit corporation, the Museum is dedicated to the restoration and preservation of historical military equipment of all types. A 16,000 square foot building houses the visitor center, a library, collections of equipment (guns, ammunition, payment certificates, models, etc.) and thirty vehicles. In total the museum boasts over sixty 20th century military vehicles gathered primary from within a 150 mile radius and reaching as far back as WWI. As a living museum, the facility is open to veterans and educational groups and guided group tours can be arranged in advance of visits. Some of the museum displays can be seen in online photos, but most can only be enjoyed by visiting the facility. Among the museums greatest assets is its status as a repository for the Library of Congress Veterans history project. Consequently, the museum owns an ever-increasing collection of DVD recorded interviews with war veterans.

Website: www.heartlandmuseum.com
Email: heartlandmuseum@cozadtel.net

Location:
606 Heartland Road
Lexington, Nebraska 68850
308-324-6329

Hours:
Monday – Saturday 10am-5pm
Sunday 1-5 pm


Robert Henri Museum and Historical Walkway
Temporarily located one block away from the historical hotel and permanent museum location, the temporary facilities generally house artwork by the Robert Henri, famous ashcan artist and son of Cozad’s founder John J. Cozad.

Website: www.nebraskamuseums.org/henrimuseum.html

Location:
218 E. 8 St.
Cozad, NE
308-784-4154

Hours:
June – September ONLY
     Monday – Saturday 10am – 5pm
     Sundays and holidays by appointment


100th Meridian Museum
The 100th Meridian Museum was completed in 1994. It houses an eclectic collection of cameras, farm implements, military paraphernalia, photographs tracing Cozad’s historical development, clothing, and antique housewares. Among its most precious collections remains the meeting minutes from a local chapter of the WWII US Army Mothers. The museum is also the permanent home for the Cozad Stagecoach—a famous carriage that carried President Taft during his visits to Yellowstone National Park.

Location:
206 E 8th St.
Cozad, NE
308-784-1100

Hours:
Monday – Friday, 10am – 5 pm


Sod House Museum in Gothenburg
This fully decorated historic “soddie” gives visitors an excellent idea of homestead life. It is furnished with historically appropriate items such as antlers on the roof, a bird cage for housing the lonely homesteaders’ friend, a trundle bed and quilt, stove, table, pots and more. Adjacent to the “soddie” visitors may see clothes hanging out to dry, an outhouse, and a 1400 pound bison constructed from 4.5 miles of barbed wire. There is also a gift shop and several sets of “interpretive exhibits.” The gift shop also features a few historic items, such as photographs, Indian artifacts, and a buffalo skull and robe. Unique archives available include the Solomon full sized sod house, the Butcher photograph collection, and a series of letters from Swedish pioneers addressed to friends and relatives in Sweden.

Website: http://websteader.com/wbstdsodmuzm.htm
Email: sodlady2001@hotmail.com

Location:
1617 Avenue A (I-80 and Hwy 47)
Gothenburg, NE 69138
(308) 537-2680 (May to October)
(936) 564-6037 (November to April)

Hours:
9:00 am – 6:00 pm May 1st - October 1st (open every day)
8:00 am – 8:00 pm June, July, and August (open every day)

Organization of archives:
chronologically from mid-1800’s to ninetieth century

Scope of archives:
Indian artifacts, buffalo skull and robe, local sod house and photographs.

Primary materials available:
Solomon full sized sod house, the Butcher photograph collection, Swedish pioneer letters addressed to relatives in Sweeden.


Carnegie Public Library
The Carnegie Public Library, inspired by the Jacobean Revival style, was erected in 1916. It boasts 10 open access computers and a large collection of secondary texts on Great Plains history. Its greatest assets are of a genealogical nature: cemetery records, local history books, historical photographs of Gothenburg, and local newspapers beginning in 1885.

Location:
1104 Lake Ave
Gothenburg, NE 69138
308-537-2591

Hours:
Monday – Friday, 9am – 8pm


Pony Express Station
Originally built as a fur trade post in 1854, and then used as a Pony Express station, this once two-story building was relocated and restored in 1931, resulting in a one story building with the original walls. The small structure features historic photographs and a few artifacts including arrowheads, tools, knives, books and a replica of a Pony Express mochila.

Location:
1500 Lake Ave.
Gothenburg, NE. 69138
308-537-2860

Hours:
June, July, August:
Everyday, 8am – 8pm
May, September
Everyday, 9am – 6pm