North Omaha has several history museums where people can learn about the distinct past of the community, the people within it, and events that happened to define our history. There are also several organizations committed to preserving the history of North Omaha included here.
This is a list of those places and organizations, including the essential details needed to visit and learn more. Please contact me with updates, additions and corrections.
North Omaha History Museums
Great Plains Black History Museum
For more than 40 years, the museum has been dedicated to preserving, celebrating and educating all people of the contributions and achievements of African Americans throughout the great plains of America.
- Website: Great Plains Black History Museum official website
- Cost: Free
- Hours: Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 1-5pm
- Address: 2221 North 24th Street, North Omaha, Nebraska 68110
Bank of Florence Museum
This is a restored 1856 bank with the original vault and a replica of the manager’s quarters.
- Website: Historic Florence Bank and Depot Museums info
- Cost: $1 donation
- Hours: From June 1 to August 1, its open on Friday and Saturday from 1-5pm, and on Sunday from 11am-3pm. Other times are available by appointment.
- Address: 8502 North 30th Street, North Omaha, Nebraska 68106
Freedom Park
An outdoor park, this site features the USS Marlin submarine and the USS Hazard minesweeper, as well as rocket launchers, a jet fighter and other aircraft.
- Website: City of Omaha Freedom Park official website
- Cost: Free
- Hours: Closed
- Address: 2497 Freedom Park Road, North Omaha, Nebraska 68110
Union for Contemporary Art
The Union for Contemporary Art is a community arts center creating positive social change in North Omaha. The Union’s commitment to addressing civic issues faced by residents and elevating artistic voices of the African Diaspora contribute to the revitalization and unification of Omaha’s cultural identity. Home to the “Undesign the Redline” history display for years, it is committed to honoring community history in many ways.
- Website: Union for Contemporary Art official website
- Cost: Free
- Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 1-8pm; Friday and Saturday, 10am-5pm; Sunday Closed
- Address: 22423 North 24th Street, North Omaha, Nebraska 68110
General Crook House Museum
The 1879 home of the leader of many Indian War campaigns, this pioneer military installation features period decor, and is the home of Douglas County Historical Society and their archives. It also features seasonal displays covering a variety of local history.
- Website: General Crook House Museum official webpage
- Cost: From January to October, adults are $7 and children are $4.50. From November to January, adults are $8 and children are $5
- Hours: By appointment
- Address: 5730 North 30th Street Building #11b, North Omaha, Nebraska 68111
Mormon Trail Center at Historic Winter Quarters
This is a visitor center with exhibits about Winter Quarters, a major settlement for Latter-day Saint pioneers after they left Nauvoo, Illinois for the Salt Lake Valley in Utah. It is located next to the Mormon Pioneer Cemetery and the Winter Quarters Nebraska Temple.
- Website: Mormon Trail Center at Historic Winter Quarters official website
- Cost: Free
- Hours: From October to March, hours are from Monday to Saturday: 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Sunday: 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. From April to September, hours are from Monday-Saturday: 9:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Sunday: 9:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
- Address: 3215 State Street, North Omaha, Nebraska 68112
Joslyn Art Museum
Not typically considered a history museum nor as being in North Omaha, this is the highlight of Omaha’s preservation movement and features a lot of history. As a major art museum, its strengths are in 19th and 20th century American and European art, as well as Western and Native American art.
- Website: Joslyn Art Museum official website
- Cost: Free
- Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm Thursday, 10 am – 8 pm Sunday, 10 am – 4 pm Closed Mondays and major holidays
- Address: 2200 Dodge Street, North Omaha, Nebraska 68102
Florence Depot Museum
The Florence Depot operated from 1888 to 1969 and is packed with railroad-focused displays today. There is also an 1890 caboose that is accessible with more railroad detail inside.
- Website: Historic Florence Bank and Depot Museums info
- Cost: $1 donation
- Hours: From June 1 to August 1, its open on Friday and Saturday from 1-5pm, and on Sunday from 11am-3pm. Other times are available by appointment.
- Address: 29th and Dick Collins Road, North Omaha, Nebraska 68106
Florence Mill
This restored flour mill includes timbers from the original 1846 structure, and features the Winter Quarters Mill Museum with pioneer history, the ArtLoft Gallery and the summer Farmers Market. It has been a historic-preservation project since 1998 that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Website: Florence Mill Museum information
- Cost: Donations are appreciated.
- Hours: Open May-Oct, Wed-Sun, 1-5pm; Sunday Farmers Market June to Oct. 10am-3pm.
- Address: 9102 North 30th Street, North Omaha, Nebraska 68112
Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Headquarters and Visitor Center
Meet with Park Rangers to learn more about Lewis and Clark history or to gather information for planning your next stop on your own journey along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.
- Website: Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Headquarters and Visitor Center official website
- Hours: The visitor center is closed on weekends in the winter and on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day each year.
- Cost: Free
- Address: Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Headquarters visitor center is located inside the NPS Regional Office at 601 Riverfront Drive, North Omaha, Nebraska 68102
Other Places Honoring History in North Omaha
There are several other places and spaces honoring history in North Omaha. They include:
- Mildred D. Brown Memorial Study Center, 2221 N. 24th St.
- Moriah Heritage Center at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, 2602 N. 24th St.
- Florence History Garden, 8515 N. 30th St.
- Fort Omaha, 5730 N. 30th St.
- North Omaha History Markers »