Interested in the historic things and places, then add the ‘Durham Museum Omaha’ in your bucket list to visit. This museum is one of the premier historic museums of the region, located in Union Station in Omaha, Nebraska. Offering a fascinating look at the history of the city Durham, and hosts a broad-range of top exhibits. That covers all the subjects including history, science and industry. It is a beautiful architecture that offers unique, hands-on learning for the peoples of all ages. There are also impressive travelling exhibits through Durham’s affiliation with the Smithsonian and close ties with the Library of Congress, National Archives and Chicago’s Field Museum. The city has a lot of things to do, with the top most attractions and top exhibits. Now in this blog we are going to discuss everything about Durham city and the Museum.
Why is The Durham Museum so popular?
There’s no one thing for which Durham is popular. In fact, it’s popular because of so many things whether it’s for higher education, activism, entrepreneurship or known for its medicines. Durham has so many reasons for its huge popularity. It is known as the Bull city because of the Bull Durham Smoking Tobacco advertisement. Also, the medical city because of Duke University Hospital, where people come from all over the world for treatment. And, if you are receiving treatments here then you will get to enjoy the rest of this great city.
The hospital is ranked at number 1 in the state of North Carolina and number 23 in the whole nation. Which makes Durham an important and most visited place for the residents and patients who travel across the country for care. Not only this, the other Cathedral museum of Durham attracts people from all over the world. This place gives you a wonderful experience of wildlife, dark skies and outdoors.
History of The Durham Museum
It’s a 21st-century museum that is filled with multiple stories from its opening to the ending. It was established in 1975 to preserve the regional history. In 1975 the Union Station opened as the ‘Western Heritage Museum’, displaying small regional history exhibits and private collections. Then in 1985, the city of Omaha transferred the collection of Byron Reed from Omaha Public Library to the Western Heritage museum. Now a portion of it is always available for public viewing. Also by that time the original soda fountain mountain was restored and opened for the public.
From 1995-2007, the union station closed the museum for 6 months and started the construction work. Then they re-named the museum as the ‘Durham Western Heritage Museum’ in honor of Charles and Margre Durham. Again, the construction began on the Velde Gallery of American History and designed to respond to the requirements associated with temporary exhibits from any national or international lender.
And then, in 2008 the museum was renamed as the ‘Durham Museum’ to better reflect its mission of not only preserving Omaha’s history.
And now, The Durham museum Omaha architecture becomes a treasure for the people who love to explore the historical places.
Top Exhibits of The Durham Museum
The Durham Museum exhibits provide an experience and there are multiple exhibits inside the museum. Some of those are.
Heroes and Villains – The art of the disney costume
This exhibition showcases the costumes worn by the likes of Bette Davis, Glenn Close, Angelina Jolie & Disney Legend Julie Andrews. This Durham Museum exhibit features 70 costumes of some beloved characters such as Cinderella, Maleficent and Captain Jack Sparrow. The guests will also be able to get insights into how costumes evolve from concept to reality, with quotes and detailed written accounts. Which are featured throughout the exhibition from some of Hollywood’s preeminent designers.
The Nergo Motorist Green book
This is the current exhibit which offers an immersive look at the reality of travel for African Americans in mid-century America. Shows the vibrant architecture of the African American business world. The book was published and distributed nationwide from 1936 until 1967. Providing all the information regarding the gas stations, restaurants, other businesses that welcomed Black travelers to the African American travelers. This book is best known for the African American travel guides.
Durham Beginnings
This is also an ongoing exhibition that exhibits the five dramatic features but the little-known personal stories evoking the spirit of Durham’s formative years. From here you can learn the ‘coming to Durham’ stories of Eliza Bennet Duke, Richard Fitzgerald, Abner Jordan, John Green, and Margaret Faucette. This is one of the popular Durham Museum exhibits.
The Sopranos – Nineteenth Century A listers
This is also the latest showcase from the Byron Reed Collection highlights rare items, when a theater boom brought live performance, especially opera singers into the spotlight. The collection of Byron Reed’s manuscript includes multiple portraits and programs from Jenny ‘The Swedish Nightingale’ Lind and the vocalists Henriette Sontag. Who fascinated the audiences across Europe and won the hearts of American listeners, as well. In this exhibit visitors can also learn about notable performer Mary Munchhoff, who called Omaha a home.
Top things to do in The Durham Museum
There are multiple things to do in Durham and Durham Museum, some of them are:
Photography
While visiting the Durham Museum Omaha you can freely take photos or videos of you and your family. Record the historic museum exhibits and programs but only for personal use, as for commercial photography you are required to take written permission from the Museum’s marketing department.
Museum of Life and Science
While visiting the Durham Museum, you can also take a look at the other museum that is the Museum of Life and Science’. The museum is previously known as the North Carolina Museum of Life and Science and the NC Children’s Museum. It offers a different variety of indoor and outdoor learning environments including the butterfly house, wild nature park, Sprout Cafe, Dinosaur trail and much more. It’s a great museum for fun and learning.
Soda Fountain
Inside the Durham Museum Omaha you can visit the soda fountain. Here you can enjoy your favorite flavored soda water which comes straight from the fountain dispenser. Not only this, the soda fountain also serves lunch including everything like hotdog, sandwich or a yummy mac-n-cheese. Also there are multiple shops available from where you can purchase gifts, newspapers or magazines. These old fashioned soda fountains offer you wonderful experiences.
Train Exhibits
Apart from this you can visit all the top exhibits of the Museum from which children can have a great learning experience with fun. Also the children can explore the trains as trains are a huge part of the museum. The Durham museum has a huge model train exhibit, as well as real train cars in which the kids and families can also walk through.
Shopping
While exploring Durham city, don’t miss the shops. As there are multiple different shops available in Durham. This including the Farm shop and market, Independent shops and boutiques, and gift shops. All the shops have something unique which can make you want to buy something. Also the gift shops provide a wide range of products, many of which take inspiration from the museum’s collections.
Places to stay near the Durham Museum
Holiday Inn Express and Suites Omaha Airport by IHG
The hotel offers every single facility including modern rooms, indoor pool, parking and airport transportation. But a single limitation is that pets are not allowed in the hotel. It is located within a range of 1.8 miles away from the Durham museum with the total cost of $127 approx. The check in time starts at 3pm and check out before 11am.
Courtyard by Marriott Omaha Downtown
A Lewis hotel with the top rated staff and services that will ensure you to feel welcome and pampered. It offers a delicious breakfast for free, onsite parking facilities and airport transportation service. The hotel is totally dog friendly and wheelchair accessible (which may have some limitations). The cost of the hotel is around $110 with a distance of 0.5 miles from the museum.
Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District
The hotel speciality is its american cuisines and also its famous dish ‘Burdock and Bitters. It offers a great facility of a free shuttle which will be available at the scheduled time. Also, you will get all other facilities including luxury rooms, an indoor seasonal pool with bars and coffee shops. For more fun you can visit the zoo or casino inside the hotel and have a great experience. As it provides all the luxurious facilities so its price range is also high which is approximately $218.
Hilton Omaha
Inside the hotel you have a great experience as it offers everything. Whether it’s about shopping, indoor pool and hot tub, or onsite restaurants. In the hotel you can take your pets with you as there is no restriction on them. Also it has 2 onsite restaurants that offer delicious cuisines. The hotel is located 0.8 miles from the museum and the cost to stay in the hotel is approx $330 which is expensive but worth it.
Nearby Attractions in Omaha
Whether your trip is for a day, a weekend, or longer, you can still have all the fun to do, as there are tons of Omaha’s attractions. Where you can have great fun, food, and entertainment. Some of those attractions are.
The Old Market District
This market is one of the best attractions in Omaha and a neighborhood of Omaha city located in the downtown. The classic historic area is now transformed into a lively shopping, dining and nightlife destination. With the feel of brick-laid roads under the feet that are all easy within a walking distance of numerous hotels and attractions in downtown Omaha.After exploring the market you can go to the outdoor patios for a drink.
Omaha Children’s Museum
While visiting Durham city, you can go to the Omaha Children’s Museum with your kids to have some fun. As it is also one of the best attractions in Omaha,Nebraska. It offers many different activities for the kids to learn and explore, and also different exhibits and programs that continuously change throughout the year. It is designed to engage the imagination and create an excitement for learning.The museum is located in downtown Omaha. And its timing from Tuesday to Sunday are 9 am to 4 pm and closed on Monday. The ticket price per person is $15 and if you wanna buy a one year membership it’s $139. After all, the museum offers endless opportunities for discovery and fun.
Family friendly activities
Whether you are visiting Omaha alone or with your family. There are some places that offer so much fun and those are.
Omaha’s Zoo: The Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is one the world’s best Zoos. As it gives an ultimate interactive experience. There are several different animals imported from all over the world. The visiting time of the zoo can vary on different seasons and you can visit anytime as it opens all year round. To check the current opening time you can go through the official website of the zoo. This place is a must visit for family activities in Omaha.
The Riverfront: The riverfront park contains 3 parks in it, named as the Heartland of America Park, Lewis and Clark Landing, and the Geneleahy Mall. All these parks offer so much fun and adventurous activity for the kids, as they include skate park, children museum and playground and also a sculpture garden. The parks are the perfect location for a family tour.
Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge: In this bridge you can experience walking across the Iowa side to the Omaha side. It’s a great place for photography and family fun. The bridge crosses the Missouri River and connects Nebraska with Iowa where you can ride a bike all across the bridge. So if you are looking for free things to do, then you can go to this bridge.
The Amazing Pizza Machine: This is one of the most voted family entertainment activities and best for birthday parties or family gatherings. Not just because of its pizzas but for different fun games including go karts, bumper cars, thrill rides and more. Before leaving you can also shop at the Pizza Central and redeem your tickets for amazing fun prizes and souvenirs.
Ideal time to visit The Durham Museum
The ideal time to visit Durham Museum is during January & February as both of these months offer a quiet experience with fewer crowds. Also, try to go during the weekday afternoons to avoid school time & weekend crowds. The museum opens from Tuesday to Sunday at 10am to 5pm & closes on Monday. For the visit you need to purchase the tickets which range different for every age group between $19 to $24. Also, you can visit the official site for the current price rates. The tickets are free for the museum members and children of age 2 and under. One thing to note is that you are not allowed to bring outside food or other beverages unless they are required for special dietary needs.However the visit is of around 2 hours, but you can spend your day till the last hour of the museum.
Conclusion
Hope you get all the information about the Durham Museum Omaha which is a premier resource for education, entertainment and historical preservation in our region. The museum provides a welcoming and friendly experience and puts the customer first. You can visit its top exhibits, best attractions and numerous things to do in Durham Museum Omaha. You should explore here to experience the culture and beauty of Durham. Other than this, if you want to explore more about the Durham Museum then renting a charter bus is the best option that you opt for your comfort.
