Nebraska's Cambridge Museum - The Traveling Locavores

Nebraska’s Cambridge Museum is the type of space that kind of sucks you in, in the best way.

White building with artifacts outside is the Nebraska's Cambridge Museum

Welcome to Nebraska’s Cambridge Museum

Memorabilia from Cambridge High School on display

Nebraska’s Cambridge Museum

We went there with my cousin, artist Sondra Jonson, who we were visiting in Cambridge. Since Cambridge is such a small town, Sondra was welcomed by name. It made us feel like we were with a celebrity.

Wedding attire through the years

Vessels, tools and hanging gourds on display at the Nebraska's Cambridge Museum

Native American Artifacts

Papoose and other items displayed on a white wall at the Nebraska's Cambridge Museum

The original baby carrier

The building that houses Nebraska’s Cambridge Museum is quite unassuming in its appearance. Just a white exterior and a huge, 8,000-square-foot, open interior. But it was jam packed with artifacts and memorabilia from the Cornhusker State and surrounding plains.

Beaded leather moccasins on display at the Nebraska's Cambridge Museum

Beaded Moccasins

Fossilized dinosaur bones and rhino bones on display at Nebraska's Cambridge Museum

Fossilized Shovel Tusk Mastodon jaw and thigh and Fossilized Rhinoceros

Old ice cream freezer with compartments for dispensing toppings for sundaes on display at Nebraska's Cambridge Museum

Who remembers ice cream served from this type of freezer? This one is from Raburn Drug formerly John Drug.

Learn local history

We were quite pleasantly surprised by just how much local history we gleaned as we wandered through each and every display.

Ornate metal cash register on display at Nebraska's Cambridge Museum

Old IGA Grocery Store Cash Register

Antique Wood Cash Register

Antique metal cash register on display that was used in the Cambridge City Office in 1916

1916 National Cash
Register used in the Cambridge City Office

There were some really fun oddities on exhibit. Who wouldn’t tilt their head as they caught site of a two-headed calf? And there’s a whole zoo’s worth of taxidermy animals in a large, spectacular exhibit.

Antique Baby Incubator

Display case showing maroon and white pitcher, hair bracelet and other artifacts at Nebraska's Cambridge Museum

Artifacts of life in Cambridge NE

Mint green antique ladies grooming items on display at Nebraska's Cambridge Museum

My Mom had a set exactly like this one!

Interesting artifacts on display

Nebraska’s Cambridge Museum may be small, but it is mighty crammed with Native American artifacts, unusual farm tools, geological collections of rocks and minerals, prehistoric fossils of animals and plants.

Clothing, dolls, and more memorabilia on display at Nebraska's Cambridge Museum

The Roaring 20s

Army jacket with name Brophy on it at Nebraska's Cambridge Museum

This jacket gave us pause. We had a wonderful catering client whose name was Brophy!

You will also find displays of pioneer home settings and businesses that give you insight into early life in Cambridge.

Stuffed animals galore

A variety of taxidermy animals including bear and skunks at Nebraska's Cambridge Museum

Stuffed Animals

Birds and other taxidermy animals on display at Nebraska's Cambridge Museum

Sandhill Cranes, Foxes and Coyotes

Taxidermy bison and other animals on display at Nebraska's Cambridge Museum

Old Bill – this bison was born and raised in McKinley Park, where we stayed in our RV

Fun fact

Fun fact: Cambridge NE was originally named Pickletown! It was named for J.W. Pickle who laid out the plan for the town in 1870s. Then, in 1880 when the railroad was built going through the settlement, it was decided by the railroad officials to rename the town Cambridge.

Tins, bottle and other memorabilia on display at Nebraska's Cambridge Museum

Anyone remember Prince Albert in a can?

Old elementary school book for new readers on display at Nebraska's Cambridge Museum

Any of you old enough to remember Fun With Dick and Jane? I do!

The three of us continued to meander through the museum until we had covered every inch of the space. At each turn there was something new to delve into. I highly recommend that if life ever takes you to tiny Cambridge NE that you shouldn’t leave without visiting Nebraska’s Cambridge Museum!