What do you do with an old-abandoned train station? Well, you create a museum, of course!
That is what you will find when you visit the Durham Museum in Omaha, Nebraska. What once was a bustling train depot, has become a landmark museum with permanent displays as well as renowned traveling exhibits.
Opened in 1931, Union Station was a collaboration between the Union Pacific and Burlington Railroads. It was an active station until 1971 when the government established the National Railroad Passenger Corporation and took over all passenger rail transportation. The station sat empty for until the city of Omaha acquired the property.
In 1975 the art deco style building was opened as the Western Heritage Museum. It served as a small regional museum for many years. It eventually evolved to its present state with major renovations and a generous donation made by Charles and Margre Durham. It was renamed the Durham Western Heritage Museum in 1996.
Now the museum is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution which allows it to show tremendous exhibits. Summer camps and year ‘round education programs makes this a great place to have your children learn about the great history of the region and the United States as a whole.
Learn about the history of Omaha. Learn about the different architectural styles in the city. Learn about the native peoples, the immigrants and the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition which was a part of the Omaha make-up in 1898.
The museum is closed on Mondays and major holidays. But take a day and learn about regional history and visit the Durham Western Heritage Museum in Omaha, Nebraska.
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