Celebrating Nebraska’s Birthday with Free Admission at the Nebraska History Museum and Other State Historic Sites
Lincoln, NE - 02/24/2026 - Nebraska is 159 years old on Statehood Day, March 11. To help Nebraskans celebrate, admission is free Saturday, February 28, at the Nebraska History Museum and other state historic sites thanks to the Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation.
Family-friendly festivities begin at 9 a.m. and run through 4 p.m. at the Nebraska History Museum, the Ethel S. and Christopher J. Abbott Visitor Center at Chimney Rock, the Fort Robinson History Center, the Norris House in McCook, and the Neligh Mill in Neligh. All ages are welcome.
Nebraska-themed bingo, scavenger hunts, history presentations, creating your own Nebraska state symbol, and making birthday cards and banners are among the featured activities.
Hourly bingo starts at 9:30 at the Nebraska History Museum, along with museum-wide scavenger hunts. Visitors at Fort Robinson, the George Norris House in McCook, and Neligh Mill will enjoy scavenger hunts that provide a deeper look into these historic places. At the museum from 9 a.m. to noon, meet the UNL Rodeo Team and learn about Nebraska’s collegiate rodeo traditions.
Nebraska history presentations include a talk on the geologic history of the Nebraska Sand Hills by Conservation Nebraska’s Dr. David Loope at 11 a.m. at the Nebraska History Museum.
Additionally, Chimney Rock Site Manager Loren Pospisil will discuss winter travel on the Oregon Trail at 2 p.m. CT / 1 p.m. MT, and the presentation will also be shared virtually at the Nebraska History Museum. Guests are also welcome to watch the presentation from home.
A full list of scheduled events at each historic site and museum can be found at https://history.nebraska.gov/events.
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About Nebraska State Historical Society (NSHS)
NSHS collects, preserves, and shares Nebraska’s history for all people. NSHS operates the Nebraska History Museum in Lincoln and historic sites around the state including Chimney Rock Museum, Fort Robinson History Center, Neligh Mill State Historic Site, Thomas Kennard State Historic Site, Senator George Norris State Historic Site, John Neihardt State Historic Site, and over 570 historical markers placed across Nebraska. NSHS administers the State Archives and Library; the State Historic Preservation Office; the Gerald R. Ford Conservation Center; the Office of the State Archeologist; publishes Nebraska History Magazine and books; and is responsible for the administration of the Nebraska Hall of Fame Commission. More at https://history.nebraska.gov and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.