The museum, located on the first floor, employed
the latest in exhibit techniques, where each case highlighted
selected artifacts to tell a story. Here Nebraska author Mari
Sandoz views an exhibit on the Oglala Lakota Crazy Horse.
These models were used to design new exhibits.
The Society was considered an innovator in
the way it constructed the exhibits.
The building's "period rooms" on
the second floor were full-sized re-creations reflecting different
eras in Nebraska history. Here Museum Director Marvin Kivett
(center) and staff construct a sod house interior.
The museum also used dioramas, such as this
one showing "Wild Bill" Hickok shooting David McCanles
at Rock Creek Station in 1861. Hickok's rifle was displayed nearby.
The rotunda provided a timeline of Nebraska
history.
A painting of Courthouse and Jail Rocks by
Nebraska artist Charles Simmons overlooked the first floor reception
desk.
For the first time some of the larger objects
in the collections, such as logs salvaged from Peter Sarpy's
Bellevue trading post, could be displayed. Here a docent from
the Junior League of Lincoln leads a tour for school children.
