Details:
The Chimney Rock Ethel S. and Christopher J. Abbott Visitor Center is offering free admission all week between Christmas and the New Year, every day from 9am to 4pm! Join us for presentations by historical speakers, and other interactive programs for local families and those traveling through the area for the holiday season featuring a Chimney Rock Curiosity Table, digital Oregon Trail activities, holiday and historical themed games and treats, and the many hands-on exhibits in the visitor center. Thank you to the Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation for supporting this free admission week! Historical Lecture Descriptions: December 27th, 1PM MT “Evolution of Nebraska”: How did our state come to look as it did-and why was it formed out of the so-called ‘Great American Desert’ in the first place? A guided discussion by Brian Croft on the cartographic representations of the central part of the country from well before, and up to, Nebraska’s statehood in 1867-including some archival maps for up-close examination-will tell the story. December 28th, 1PM MT “Winter Travel on the Oregon Trail”: Winter travel is fraught with dangers. People are encouraged to put a winter emergency kit in their car to go over the river, and through the wood, to Grandfather’s house for the holidays. Imagine having to make the same trip across Nebraska or even the whole Oregon Trail in 1844? We think of the Oregon Trail as a summer thing. Chimney Rock State Historic Site Manager Loren Pospisil will talk about traveling in the dead of winter along the Great Platte River Road.
