It doesn't take long to figure out why the Stuhr Museum is consistently ranked as one America's best places to relive the past.

If you want to know what Nebraska is all about, Marketing Director Mike Bockoven says you'll find the answers at the Stuhr Museum, "This is really the story of Nebraska here. This is how Nebraska started. This is the people that came across in the covered wagons and formed the first towns."

And those prairie pioneers are the focus of a 4-0city block wide attraction called Railroad Town.

Bockoven says, "It's an 1890's community where we have people who dress as if it's 1890. We have businesses and historic homes and that sort of thing so you walk into that part of the museum and it's like it's1890 again."

What impressed Phyllis Davis of Daytona Beach, Florida the most was the fact that the Stuhr has a complete town, "Most places have a building or a railroad car but this is a complete town from that era and that is just rare to find, I can't think of another place that has it all together like this one does."
Mike adds. "There's a lot to see there and we have people that will spend 3, 4 hours in Railroad Town and really take in everything there is to see because the doors are open, you know, if you see a house, you go in that house and you see what it looked like and you talk to the people who are there."

And Sarah Dack is one of those people. She's been a historic interpreter for the past 14 years, "It inspires you to learn more about history and do your own little research on whatever sparks your interest and we just really enjoy being here."

Davis really enjoyed her visit to Railroad Town, "It gives you such a great, authentic glimpse into the past and appreciation for history that makes you feel like you've kinda been there and have a much deeper appreciation for the challenges of the time and the people and what they went through."

With the Nebraska State Fair new to town, the Stuhr is really getting into the swing of things with a 3-day event they call "Compare the Fairs."

It will take place on September 4th, 5th and 6th and Railroad Town will be hosting an 1890's agricultural fair.