Omaha’s Union Station, the first art-deco style train terminal in the country, was completed in 1931. After Amtrak took over all passenger rail service in 1971, the train station closed. It was almost demolished, but the railroad donated the station to the City of Omaha instead. Today the building is home to the Durham Museum. The museum’s permanent exhibits highlight Omaha area history, as well as temporary, traveling exhibits from sources like the Smithsonian.
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At first glance when you enter the Durham Museum, you may think it’s still a train station. The ticket windows are still there, but the area behind them is now a gift shop. The soda fountain still serves old-fashioned phosphates and ice-cream treats.
Sculptures of those who may have traveled through the station resemble people frozen in time. A businessman checks the timetable. A porter helps a young mom and her children.
Go down to the lower level to view museum exhibits. Union Pacific, headquartered in Omaha, is one of the highlighted features. The Union Pacific exhibit includes several railroad cars that you can walk through, including an old club car.
Model railroad fans enjoy the extensive model railroad layout. You can also walk through an old streetcar.
Feet getting tired? Rest them a bit in the Mutual of Omaha Theater while you view a film about the history of Omaha. Omaha is also headquarters, of course, for Mutual of Omaha, a large insurance company. The city is also big in the telecommunications industry and food processing. You’ll find exhibits on all of these industries in the museum.
Much of the museum focuses on how people lived, with displays ranging from Native American homes to horse-drawn wagons that transported goods and mail.
See a reproduction of the Buffet Store, a general store that was owned by Sidney Buffet. Sidney’s son, Ernest, organized the Buy-Rite Store Association. The association purchased products in bulk and passed the savings on to customers.
Another museum exhibit features the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition that Omaha hosted in 1898. This world fair event showcased the West.Temporary exhibits usually last a few months and often include hands-on activities. During our visit “Identity: An Exhibition of You” demonstrated how genetics, brain chemistry and social interaction work together to make you who you are. The child in me could have spent the entire afternoon on the exhibit’s interactive stations.
Railroad buffs, history buffs or anyone wanting to know more about Omaha can spend several hours browsing the exhibits in the Durham Museum.
If you visit the Durham Museum
The Durham Museum, located at 801 South 10th Street in Omaha, is open Tuesday through Sunday, except on major holidays. Check the web site for hours and further details, including upcoming temporary exhibits and events.
Accommodations
Disclosures: The Omaha Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Durham Museum hosted our visit to the museum. Our admission was complimentary, but any opinions expressed in this post are my own.
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