Saline County - Neb. Museum

Saline County - Neb. Museum Dedicated to preserving the history and the stories of Saline County, Nebraska. By 1957, the Saline County Historical Society was established.

In the 1950's, Dorchester's own Rosa Dusanek had a dream of building a Saline County museum to house the history of our area's people. In 1960, the Saline County commissioners gave the society a one-tenth mill levy. The museum's first building -- the teal colored structure you see from Hwy. 33 -- was built in 1964. Today, there are eleven buildings. The Chapel contains “In Loving Memory” funeral d

isplays, an altar and wedding dresses and suits. A nearby memorial pays tribute to Dorchester's Charlie Havlat, the last American killed in WWII's European Theater. The Memorial Building has an 1800’s bedroom, a parlor and a kitchen. There is a textile room, dentist office, doctor’s office and a beauty shop. There is a section for all organizations of Saline County. The Museum will take organizational minutes and scrapbooks from disbanded organizations. The Weidner Building which houses the fire truck, wagons, photography, and electrical displays. The Machinery Building has implements from the past centuries. The Voting Building is original. This building was only used for voting. The Buckingham School is a one room country school from 1871. It is a building where present day children can go to school to see how their great grandparents were educated. The Burden Home belonged to the first black homesteader in Saline County. Seven children were born and raised in this two room home, dated 1868. The Cizek log cabin, dated 1866, is in a building, along with a large collection of barbed wire. The Dorchester Depot Building houses fascinating railroad memorabilia. And the Plato Post Office building is a traveling post office -- a tiny building that moved from farm to farm. The Saline County Museum is operated strictly by volunteers. The Saline County Historical Society Board consists of ten individuals that meet quarterly. There is no admission fee, although donations are welcome. The Saline County Museum is open April through October. See our updated hours. Museum contact:
Judy - (402) 418-2753

The museum volunteers are constantly working on new displays. If you haven't been to the museum recently, you need to stop by and see the many changes.

Here’s an interesting article. A child’s pull-behind wicker buggy/carriage featuring an iron frame and wicker seat, from...
06/18/2026

Here’s an interesting article. A child’s pull-behind wicker buggy/carriage featuring an iron frame and wicker seat, from the early 1900’s. Notice all of the safety features? Ha. Maybe not. We’ve come a long way. This buggy was donated by Evelyn Horak Schleis. We don’t know if this was Evelyn’s as a child, or her husband Joseph’s. Dennis or David Schleis, do you know?

The museum is looking for replacement doors for two of our buildings. The one on the left is 80” tall, 32 1/2 “ wide and...
06/17/2026

The museum is looking for replacement doors for two of our buildings. The one on the left is 80” tall, 32 1/2 “ wide and 3/4” thick. It looks like a barn door. This is for our voting building. The other door is for our 1871 school house and is 78” tall, 31 1/2” wide and 1 1/4” thick. Does anyone have any doors that could possibly work? These are in pretty rough shape.

Here are just some of the recent improvements at the Saline County Museum. Visit us soon! Open Wednesdays, Saturdays and...
06/14/2026

Here are just some of the recent improvements at the Saline County Museum. Visit us soon! Open Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. There is no cost for admission. Explore the 13 buildings on the museum campus.

Nearly 60 area residents attended today’s special event featuring expert antique appraiser Tom Bassett of Lincoln. Mr. B...
06/08/2026

Nearly 60 area residents attended today’s special event featuring expert antique appraiser Tom Bassett of Lincoln. Mr. Bassett entertained and informed attendees, who brought an array of antiques — from an 1830s flintlock rifle to an early 1900s cast iron bank to gold/silver coins and jewelry. Thanks to all who attended and shared their special antiques.

Very good entertainment. Tom knows his antiques and will tell a story about the items you bring in. The last time he was...
05/23/2026

Very good entertainment. Tom knows his antiques and will tell a story about the items you bring in. The last time he was at the museum, we had a very nice assortment of items brought in, including jewelry, glassware, military items, small collections, just to name a few. See what you can find, and come join us on June 7th.

The Jew’s Harp, or mouth harp, consists of a flexible metal tongue or reed fastened to a frame. This 3 1/2” frame is hel...
05/15/2026

The Jew’s Harp, or mouth harp, consists of a flexible metal tongue or reed fastened to a frame. This 3 1/2” frame is held against the teeth, with a gap left for the reed to vibrate freely. The player strikes, plucks, or pushes the tongue against the reed to create a buzzing, resonant sound, with the pitch altered by moving the mouth. The name Jew’s Harp is believed to be a corruption of the Jaw Harp, as it has no known connection to the Jewish people. This simple instrument originated around 4,000 years ago. The museum also has a couple smaller harps, measuring only 2 1/2” and 1 1/2”. This harp was donated by Mr. & Mrs. Bill Velder. All are on display in our music display.

IN SEARCH OF: Donated 1880s-1940s Saline Co. advertising signs and other items for the museum. New this season is our Ge...
05/02/2026

IN SEARCH OF: Donated 1880s-1940s Saline Co. advertising signs and other items for the museum. New this season is our General Store, located in the Research Building. Catch our 2026 season opening and open house Sunday, May 3, in Dorchester.

Coming up this weekend. See all of the new changes to the museum, view an interesting program, and enjoy some old fashio...
04/27/2026

Coming up this weekend. See all of the new changes to the museum, view an interesting program, and enjoy some old fashioned home made ice cream. Hope to see you there.

Never know who, or what will show up at the museum for a visit. Beautiful creature.
04/24/2026

Never know who, or what will show up at the museum for a visit. Beautiful creature.

The checker board is always out in our new General Merchandise Store, ready to sit down and challenge someone to a game....
04/22/2026

The checker board is always out in our new General Merchandise Store, ready to sit down and challenge someone to a game. We are converting the back of the Research Building into an early 1900’s store, and it’s moving right along. Come check out some of the items “for sale”. I’ll include more pictures next time.

Address

S. W. Corner Of Junction NE Highway 33 & Washington Street
Dorchester, NE
68343

Opening Hours

Wednesday 1pm - 4pm
Saturday 1pm - 4pm

Telephone

+14029462129

Website

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