Month: January 2014

Here is an excellent example of the various kinds and amounts of artifacts collected for the Pioneer Village exhibits. This is the kitchen area of the small building located within the palisade walls of the fort.

The description states:
INTERIOR VIEW OF ELM CREEK INDIAN FORT KITCHEN
Built in 1869
Moved from Cowles, Nebraska
30,000 items in 22 buildings on 3 city blocks, showing man’s progress over the past 120 years. 132 Miles west of Lincoln, Nebr., on U. S. 6.
— Since this museum states the starting dates for the earliest exhibits is 1830, the 120 years past mentioned above places this postcard in the 1950s.

This building was originally in another town and was moved here for exhibition. By Indian Fort it means a fort for defense against Indians, not a fort by Indians.

The description states:
THE ELM CREEK INDIAN FORT
Built in 1869
Moved from Cowles, Nebraska
30,000 items in 22 buildings on 3 city blocks, showing man’s progress over the post 120 years. 132 Miles west of Lincoln, Nebr., on U. S. 6.
— Since this museum states the starting dates for the earliest exhibits is 1830, the 120 years past mentioned above places this postcard in the 1950s.

This is a well preserved steam-powered fire engine, used to provide pressurized water when fighting fires. Also of note are the large gauge model railroad cars displayed on tracks around the walls.

The description states:
The Steam Pumper
This 1880 horse-drawn Steam Fire Engine, attached to a 1909 gasoline powered front wheel drive, is just one of the many early day automobiles, tractors and trucks to be seen in the Pioneer Village.
This card dates from the 1950s.

A typical church design, seen all across the United States for many decades as pioneers moved west and took their faith along with them. The family shown are visitors, not churchgoers in this image. In the era this picture was taken women wore hats and gloves to church and boys would be expected to dress in a suit and tie like the grown men.

The description states:
THE OLD LUTHERAN CHURCH
The first church built in Minden, moved from its original site to the Pioneer Village in 1951, when a new stone and brick edifice was constructed.
— This card dates from the 1950s.

The image here shows a large assortment of carriages and very early automobiles, many of which were nearly indistinguishable from the carriages in their first incarnation.

The description states:
EVOLUTION OF TRANSPORTATION
That starts with 1830 Ox-Cart and ends with modern jet airplane. Each vehicle stands in its respective place as time progressed.This is true of everything at Harold Warp’s huge Pioneer Village in Minden, Nebraska. Here are 20,000 historic items in 20 buildings, located 130 miles west of Lincoln, Nebr. on U. S. 6 and U. S. 34, or just 14 miles south of U. S. 30 near Kearney.
— This card dates from the 1950s.

This image features several of the antique tractors in the collection of the Pioneer Village Museum. These are likely steam, diesel and gasoline versions.

The description states:
Here is located one of the largest collections of antique tractors in the entire country as well as every type of agricultural equipment used by farmers since 1830.
— This card dates from the 1950s.

The unassuming building shown in this photo with the nicely costumed re-enactors was a station on the Pony Express mail delivery route across Indian Territory to California.

The description on the back states:
ORIGINAL PONY EXPRESS STATION
From Cotton Seed Creek Near Bridgeport, Nebraska, moved 260 miles to the Harrold Warp Pioneer Village. Here can be seen 30,000 items in 22 buildings on 3 city blocks, showing man’s progress over the past 120 years.
132 Miles West of Lincoln, Nebr., on U. S. 6
 
— This card dates from the 1950s.

This unusual subject for a souvenir card shows three elderly people standing under the main sign for the Pioneer Village museum.

The description states:
“ELMER” AT THE ENTRANCE
He and Mathilda Just Can’t Get Going, at the front entrance to the harrold Warrp Pioneer Village at Minden, Nebr. Shown from right to left are Harold Warp, owner of the Pioneer Village, and Mr. & Mrs. T. C. Jensen, Managers. Here can be seen 20,000 items in 20 buildings on 2 city blocks, showing man’s progress over the past 120 years.
132 Miles West of Lincoln, Nebr., on U. S. 6
–The names Elmer and Mathilda refer to the man on the sign and the car he is working on, respectively. Mathilda appears to be a Ford Model T, but the other more contemporary vehicles shown indicate this card dates from the 1950s

Today begins a two week pictorial visit to the Pioneer Village historical exhibit in Nebraska. This first image appears to be some normal public building, perhaps a visitor center or even toilets, but in fact it is a sod house reconstruction. Note also the arrows painted on the sidewalk to assist visitors on their tour of the exhibits.

The description on the back states:
SOD HOUSE
AT PIONEER VILLAGE, MINDEN NEBR.
Surprisingly, it took 11 acres of sod and 15 men three weeks in 1954 to duplicate a sod house that cost $39.50 in 1870. It is completely furnished in pioneer style. One of 20 buildings at Harold Warp’s Pioneer Village at Minden, Nebr. which covers 10 acres on U.S. Highway 6 and houses 20.000 items, to show most vividly man’s profess since 1830.
— As indicated in the text above, this postcard dates from the 1950s.