Durham Museum Omaha: Explore History In A 1930s Train Station
Walk through a grand 1930s train station filled with exhibits on Omaha, railroads, and rare artifacts. A must-visit history stop in Nebraska.
Jul 13, 2025313 Shares4.1K Views
📍 What Is The Durham Museum?
The Durham Museum is a history and cultural museum located in downtown Omaha, Nebraska. It is housed inside the former Union Station, which was one of the busiest train stations in the Midwest during the early 20th century. The museum focuses on the history of Omaha, the surrounding Great Plains region, and the expansion of the American West. It also features traveling exhibitions from major institutions like the Smithsonian and the Library of Congress.
🏛️ History Of The Building
The building was originally opened in 1931by the Union Pacific Railroad as a passenger station. For decades, it served thousands of travelers daily. After train service ended in 1971, the station was given to the city of Omaha and later turned into a museum. In the mid-1990s, a large donation from businessman Charles Durhamhelped renovate and expand the facility. In his honor, the museum was renamed the Durham Museumin 2008. Today, the building is listed as a National Historic Landmark.
🌟 Great Hall And Architecture
The most stunning part of the museum is the Suzanne and Walter Scott Great Hall, which used to be the train station's waiting room. It features high ceilings over 60 feet tall, large chandeliers, and walls made from beautiful marble. There are also bronze statues of people waiting for trains, which help visitors imagine what the station looked like in its prime. This art-deco style architecture has been carefully preserved and gives visitors a real sense of 1930s travel luxury.
🖼️ Permanent Exhibits
The Durham Museum offers many exhibits that explore different parts of life in Omaha and the Midwest:
- The Baright Home and Family Galleryshows what homes looked like in the late 1800s and early 1900s, including a re-created kitchen and living room.
- The Trish and Dick Davidson Gallerydisplays items like an old grocery store, a 1922 Mack truck, and a replica streetcar.
- The Byron Reed Collectionincludes one of the most valuable coin and document collections in the country. It has rare items like an 1804 silver dollarand historic maps.
- The Harriman Lineexhibit features full-size train cars, including a steam engine, a passenger coach, and a caboose, along with a model train display.
- The Photo Archiveholds over one million historical photos that capture Omaha’s people, events, and neighborhoods from the 1860s onward.
🏫 Educational Programs And Temporary Exhibits
The museum also offers a wide range of programs for schools, scouts, and youth groups. Children can take part in guided tours, hands-on history lessons, and seasonal camps. In addition to permanent displays, the museum regularly hosts traveling exhibitionson topics like science, American history, and culture. These exhibits come from trusted national partners and help bring new and exciting topics to the public.
🍭 Amenities And Visitor Information
Visitors can enjoy a 1930s-style soda fountaininside the museum, where they can buy drinks, ice cream, and light snacks. There’s also a gift shop with books, souvenirs, and toys related to Omaha and railroad history. The museum is wheelchair accessible, has free on-site parking, and is welcoming for families, school groups, and tourists. The friendly staff is available to answer questions and help guide visitors through the exhibits.
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