The Union Pacific Railroad Museum, located in Omaha, Nebraska, is home to one of the oldest collections of railroad memorabilia in America. It has permanent and temporary exhibitions with something for everyone.
The Union Pacific Railroad Museum was created as a result of campaigns to build a new home for the Union Pacific Historical Collection, which has items dating back to the 1800s. The museum was officially opened on May 10th, 2003, which was also the 134th anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad.
Today, the museum is home to several exhibitions, both permanent and temporary. The collections include artifacts, documents and photographs that help to trace the development of the American West and the transcontinental railroad. It's a great way to learn about the history of the railroad and all in a fun and enjoyable environment.
However, those who are looking for actual trains should be warned - there aren't any trains in the museum. This may be seen as slightly misleading by some, but the museum was dedicated for the purpose of preserving the history of the railroad and the Old West, and even though there aren't any trains there are plenty of other historical and train-related items that are worth visiting.
There are a whole range of educational programs on offer at the museum, all to help get children really interested in the history of the railroad. Programs can be tailored to suit all ages, and school groups are always accommodated. The special programs include guided tours, timelines and even scavenger hunts throughout the museum, and there's the chance for teachers to get access to special leaning materials and resources to continue the learning in the classroom.
The museum hosts a number of other events throughout the year, all educational and fun and aimed at teaching people in a fun and informal environment. Events are often seasonal and there's sure to be lots going on during the holidays, so make sure to check the calendar to see what's coming up.
The museum is open throughout the year but is closed on Sundays, Mondays and all major public holidays. Opening hours are 10am until 4pm Tuesday to Saturday, but make sure to check the calendar for any special opening hours during events or programs.
The Union Pacific Railroad Museum is a great place to go to learn about the history of the transcontinental railroad and the American West. With artifacts, collections and exhibits to appeal to all tastes there's something for everyone, and visitors are sure to leave having learnt something new. A trip to the Union Pacific Railroad Museum would be well worth considering for anyone in the area.
