On March 17, 2020, the Nebraska National Guard Museum closed its doors in response to the outbreak of COVID-19. It remained fully shuttered until June 12 with mitigation procedures in place.
With the drastic reduction of patrons visiting the museum in 2020, it wasn’t a complete loss. The facility was able to add an additional exhibit and modify an existing room during the pandemic.
The pandemic caused a dramatic shift in how the museum handles patron flow and prevention of exposure to the virus. Large gatherings, which were a norm in previous years, were nonexistent or were virtual.
Just like everyone, the NENG Museum had to adapt to the changing requirements to be safe. We went from record crowds in 2019 to the worse attendance we’ve ever had since 1979 (year the museum was founded).
The biggest financial hit on the museum was the Gift Shop. During Airborne Day 2020, we were able to sell off our Airborne merchandise and were given COVID assistance funds to restock the shelves. This allowed the Gift Shop to be fully stocked and ready for patrons to visit and shop in the future.
The new amphitheater was utilized to produce several virtual concerts for people to enjoy online. A lot of classes that usually visit the museum were cancelled. Summer classes were also cancelled. Outreach events such as the annual Run to St. Lo 5K and others were cancelled.
During the pandemic, the museum staff continued to work on new exhibits and rooms. The newest exhibit to the facility is “Nebraska’s Women Warriors.” It features artifacts and interviews with women who have served the organization since the early 1970’s. It is set to be dedicated on July 4, 2021.
The other large exhibit is the Weapons Display Room. The NENG facilities director and staff invested a lot of resources into the room during the pandemic. The new cherry wood cabinets, lighting, carpeting, etc. have made this one of the most popular rooms in the museum. The collection has been moved out of the vault into the highly secure room. The NENG Historical Society raised $25,000 to assist with signage, storyboards and displays in the room. It is tentatively set for dedication this summer.
Several other large projects are in the works at the museum. The adding of air handlers and computer technology to the Cornrow to Hedgerow 4D Experience are still being considered. A $100,000 grant was prepared and the process was met with a denial of funds. Other grants are being considered to support this addition. The exhibit is our cornerstone display to the heroics of our NENG World War II veterans.
Several early guard exhibits are being set up for the future. The first is the Nebraska National Guard in the Civil War exhibit. It features a full scale artillery piece and horses. It will focus on the units of the territory (1st Nebraska and Curtis Horse – Cavalry) and the legacy of artillery in the NENG. This $25,000 exhibit will feature numerous life like mannequins and images on display. Set to be dedicated on the 160th anniversary of the victory at Fort Donelson in February, 2022.
One of the newest exhibits is to Sgt. Mad Bear of the NENG’s Pawnee Scouts. In 1869 during a battle in southwest Nebraska, his valor was rewarded with him receiving the Medal of Honor. He was a Pawnee from around Columbus and the first Native American to receive the award. This exhibit is in the planning stage and many ideas have been considered.
The museum has been able to weather the pandemic and continue to build and secure funds to manufacture exhibits. As the pandemic runs its course, the Nebraska National Guard Museum is ready to go forth again with its outreach programs and events pre-COVID.
If you can assist the museum with future exhibits, consider a financial contribution: NENG Museum, Attn: Exhibits, 201 N. 8th St., Seward, NE 68434. The NENG Historical Society is a 501(c)3 organization.
