Spend some time this fall in Nebraska’s state parks. While history is a major theme during October park events, other types of events are scheduled, too.
Don’t forget a vehicle park entry permit is required at Nebraska state parks. Get one at OutdoorNebraska.gov or at state park entrances.
Arbor Lodge hosting living history weekends
Step back in time to see historic trades, talents, and other demonstrations come alive inside Arbor Lodge Mansion and on the beautiful grounds at Arbor Day Farm. Arbor Lodge State Historical Park will host living history each weekend in October, beginning Oct. 5-6.
Experience daily life on the Morton farm. Special exhibits and demonstrations will highlight day-to-day activities on the prairie. Learn about the Morton family farm through firsthand accounts, letters, journal entries and photographs. View antique farm equipment and kitchen gadgets. Demonstrations include quilting, one-room schoolhouse lessons, dress-like-a-pioneer and more.
Call Arbor Lodge in Nebraska City at 402-873-7222 or go to the calendar event entry at Calendar.Outdoornebraska.gov for more information. Mansion admission is $9 for adults, $7 for ages 3-12. Demonstration hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Enjoy living history at Fort Atkinson Oct. 5-6
Come to Fort Atkinson State Historical Park on Oct. 5-6 and experience an 1824 Harvesting Style living history weekend. Visitors will see activities that would have taken place at this 1820s era military outpost.
Among the activities for the weekend, themed “Anticipating the Arrival of Brig. Gen. Atkinson,” are a bison-butchering demonstration and brass band performance.
The 1st Nebraska Volunteers Brass Band, which portrays the band of the original 1st Nebraska Volunteer Infantry Regiment of 1861-1862, will perform at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 6. The band wears Union infantry uniforms and plays authentic musical arrangements taken from Civil War band books and played on Civil War period instruments.
A fee is required at the Harold W. Andersen Visitor Center of $2 per adult and $1 per child. For more information, contact the park near Fort Calhoun at ngpc.fort.atkinson@nebraska.gov or 402-468-5611.
Family Rendezvous at Platte River State Park
Enjoy a day of outdoor fun at the Family Rendezvous on Oct. 6 at Platte River State Park.
Come to the Roger G. Sykes Outdoor Heritage Complex from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for free activities such as traditional muzzleloaders, archery, aerial archery, tomahawks, slingshots, pellet guns, atlatl, naturalist activities and roasting marshmallows. Participants may bring their own muzzleloaders to sight-in before hunting season.
Food will be available for purchase.