Book a Group Tour
WELCOME!
We're excited you're planning a group visit to the Plainsman Museum!
Explore below to learn more about what we have to offer visitors, and learn how you can book your own group tour experience.
Group Admission Rate
$4.00 per person
NOTE: At least 10 people must be part of a group in order for group rates to apply.
School Tours
If you are looking to plan a school tour at the Plainsman Museum, please see our School Tours page by clicking the button below.
Our Buildings, Exhibits & Galleries
On our 6-acre campus we have our Main Building, Agricultural Museum, a One Room Schoolhouse, the Bates House, and a Blacksmith Shop.
Main Building
The Plainsman Museum's Main Building houses the central rotunda area, pioneer sod house, log cabin, historical Main Street boardwalk, military exhibit, archives and more!
This building is open year-round. In December it is decorated for our annual Winter Wonderland of Trees.
Agricultural Museum
The Wesley Huenefeld Agricultural Museum contains our collection of antique agricultural equipment, which includes tractors, cars, trucks, a threshing machine, steam engine, historical homestead and more!
This building is open seasonally from April - October.
It is closed November - March.
One Room Schoolhouse
Our One Room Schoolhouse gives visitors a glimpse into what it was like to attend a pioneer school. This particular schoolhouse was in use from 1874 - 1954, and it was brought to the Plainsman Museum in 1986.
This building is open seasonally from April - October.
It is closed November - March.
The Bates House
The Bates House is our Victorian-era house built in the 1870's by Gen. Delevan Bates and his wife, Lana Bates. Gen. Bates fought in the Union Army in the Civil War, and after the war he and his family moved to Aurora.
This building is open seasonally from April - October.
It is closed November - March.
Blacksmith Shop
The blacksmith shop was originally owned by William Grieser of Hampton, NE and contains various pieces of blacksmithing machinery and tools.
This building is open seasonally from April - October.
It is closed November - March.
Note: Currently, our Main Building is the only building equipped with heating, so the other buildings may be a bit chilly during your visit if you come in the spring or autumn. If you plan on visiting our other buildings during your tour, we recommend bringing at least a light jacket, sweater or hoodie to help keep you warm.
Visitor Amenities
Restrooms
We have restrooms available in our Main Building and Agricultural Museum. The Main Building also includes an ADA/family restroom.
Wheelchairs/Wheelchair Accessibility
All of our buildings are wheelchair accessible. We also have up to three wheelchairs (not motorized) available for visitors to use during their tour. Use of the wheelchairs is free of charge.
Visitor Seating
Throughout our Main Building and Agricultural Museum we have benches and seating available for visitors.
ADA Parking
We have ADA parking available in our parking lot.
Museum Maps & Informational Brochures
At our front desk we have museum maps and informational brochures available.
When You Arrive
Parking - If you plan on coming with a group bus or caravan, we recommend taking the route outlined below to enter our parking lot.
Directions:
From I-80
- Take Exit 332
- Go north (toward Aurora) for about 3 mi.
- Turn right onto E 12 Rd.
- Turn left onto 17th St.
- Turn left into the parking lot.
From Intersection of Hwy 34 & 14 in Aurora
- Turn south on Hwy 14 for approximately 0.5 mi.
- Turn left onto E 12 Rd.
- Turn left onto 17th St.
- Turn left into the parking lot.
If you need additional parking space, please let us know during the booking process.
Check In
All visitors are to check in at the Main Building's front desk. For groups, please let the desk attendant know which group you are with. Groups will then assemble in the Main Building's rotunda area after admissions are processed.
Your Tour
At the Plainsman Museum our exhibits are designed for an optimal self-tour experience! For your group tour, a museum staff member or volunteer will give you a brief orientation after you check in. From there you are free to explore the galleries and buildings at your leisure. Signage throughout our buildings will help explain to visitors what they are seeing within the exhibits.
*NOTE: While our Main Building is open year-round, our other buildings are open seasonally from April - October, and are closed November - March. If you have any questions about our buildings and/or open hours, please contact the Plainsman Museum directly.
QR Code Enhancements
We also have QR code enhancements visitors may interact with using their smartphones or tablets! Options available through our QR codes include...
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Video tours of key exhibit areas.
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First-hand accounts of pioneer life read aloud by local voice actors, and accompanied by photos from the museum's archives.
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Various immersive audial experiences that allow visitors to hear the sounds of an old pioneer depot town, life in a sod house, a wagon train encampment, and more!
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Exhibit quizzes and scavenger hunts to test your observation skills.
Dining Options
Whether you want to eat before, during or after your tour, we have several local accommodations for you to choose from.
Catered Meal
If you would like to have a catered meal right here at the museum, we are able to seat up to 200 people in the Main Building's central rotunda area.
Rotunda rental fee - $200.00
We have a partnership with two local caterers to provide a meal in our rotunda. If you would like to receive information about our caterer options, please let us know during your booking process. Meal arrangements are to be made with the caterers directly.
Meal Seating
If you would like to bring your own boxed meal to have at the Plainsman Museum, we can provide seating for your meal in the central rotunda area.
Rotunda rental fee - $200.00
Refshauge Park Picnic Area
If you would like to have a picnic meal near the Plainsman Museum, Refshauge Park has a picnic area available.
Local Restaurants
If you would like to dine at one of Hamilton County's local restaurants, you can view our list of options by clicking the link below.
*NOTE: Some establishments may require a reservation beforehand if seating a group.
Book Your Tour
To book your tour with us, you may contact the Plainsman Museum directly via...
Phone: 402-694-6531
Email: plainsman@hamilton.net
Or you may fill out the request form below. A museum representative will get back to you within 2-3 business days of your request being submitted to confirm any arrangements.
*NOTE: All booking requests must be confirmed by a museum representative before they are considered finalized. If you have any questions about the booking process, please contact the Plainsman Museum directly.
In the event of group cancelation, the Plainsman Museum will require 24 hours notice. Thank you!