Middle School through High School Programs
Group Tours
Guided Tours
Guided Tours of Union Station and the permanent exhibits are available
to groups of all ages. Tours include the permanent galleries: Through
These Doors, Community, Home and Family, Omaha at Work, Byron Reed
Coin and Document Collection and the O Scale Model Train Layout.
Discounts rates are available for groups of 10 or more. Two
weeks advance notice is required. Please call the Education
Department at (402) 444-5027 for reservations.
Three and Four Year old Programs
All Aboard!
Trains are fascinating! Buy a ticket at Union Station’s ticket window, and then head on down to track #1 for a tour of the museum’s train cars, caboose, and steam engine. Learn about the kinds of cars on a train, and what their signals and whistles mean. Our “O” scale model train adds to the railroading fun! All Aboard!
Cost per student: $4.00 for DEA members, $5.00 for non-members
Transportation Station
Have your tickets and tokens ready as you meet us at the station and explore modes of transportation from different time periods. Students will enjoy boarding a real train, “riding” a streetcar, and seeing a covered wagon.
Cost per student: $4.00 for DEA members, $5.00 for non-members
Durham's Round-Up
Mosey on in and learn about the exciting life of cowboys & cowgirls. Hands on artifacts, including learning how to saddle up and rope make this class one you won't want to miss!
Cost per student: $4.00 for DEA members, $5.00 for non-members
Early Childhood/Elementary Programs - Pre-K through Grade 2
Durham's Round-Up
Mosey on in and learn about the exciting life of cowboys & cowgirls. Hands on artifacts, including learning how to saddle up and rope make this class one you won't want to miss!
Cost per student: $4.00 for DEA members, $5.00 for non-members
All Aboard!
Trains are fascinating! Buy a ticket at Union Station’s ticket
window, and then head on down to track #1 for a tour of the museum’s
train cars, caboose, and steam engine. Learn about the kinds of cars
on a train, and what their signals and whistles mean. Our “O”
scale model train adds to the railroading fun! All Aboard!
Cost per student: $4.00 for DEA members, $5.00 for non-members
Games, Galore, and More!
It's time to play! Learn about playthings and pastimes from days gone
by.
Try your hand at a Native American game, pioneer fun, parlor games,
and much, much more!
Cost per student: $4.00 for DEA members, $5.00 for non-members
Log Cabin Fun
Visit our log cabin classroom and experience the life of a Nebraska
pioneer. Learn about the types of homes that people lived in and the
chores that children were expected to do. Everyone will play prairie
games, try on pioneer clothes, and take a turn at the butter churn!
Cost per student: $4.00 for DEA members, $5.00 for non-members
Plains Indian Life
Explore the life of the Plains Indians of long ago. Visit the Durham’s
tipi and/or earth lodge. Scrape an animal hide, grind corn, play Native
American games, and more.
Cost per student: $4.00 for DEA members, $5.00 for non-members
The Neighborhood Store
Bring your shopping list along as we take a “trip” back
to the time of streetcars and neighborhood grocery stores. Visit the
museum’s newest exhibit, the Buffett Grocery Store, and discover
the fun of shopping for penny candy.
Cost per student: $4.00 for DEA members, $5.00 for non-members
Transportation Station
Have your tickets and tokens ready as you meet us at the station and
explore modes of transportation from different time periods. Students
will enjoy boarding a real train, “riding” a streetcar,
and seeing a covered wagon.
Cost per student: $4.00 for DEA members, $5.00 for non-members
Elementary
School Programs - Grades 3 - 5
Plains Indian Life
Explore how the Plains Indians used their top natural resource, the
buffalo, for their food, clothing, shelter, and more. Using a variety
of hands-on activities, students will learn about Native American
clothing, tools, and chores. Visit our buffalo hide tipi, scrape a
hide, grind corn, and more!
Cost per student: $4.00 for DEA members, $5.00 for non-members
Earth Lodge Living
Discover what it was like to live in an Omaha Indian earth lodge.
Your students will enjoy visiting the museum’s earth lodge exhibit.
Artifacts, stories, and hands-on activities, such as creating a winter
count calendar, will give students the opportunity to experience Native
American home and family life.
Cost per student: $4.00 for DEA members, $5.00 for non-members
Nebraska Pioneer Life
Log cabins, covered wagons, and lots of chores were part of the everyday
world of western pioneers. Kids will enjoy visiting the museum's log
cabin classroom, covered wagon exhibit, and discovering what life
was like for pioneer children. Students will have the opportunity
to make real butter, grind coffee, and engage in pioneer era activities.
Cost per student: $4.00 for DEA members, $5.00 for non-members
Historic Schoolroom
The school bell rings, but what a difference a century makes! Visit
our 1890's schoolroom with a costumed teacher and use the McGuffey's
Readers, slates, and slate pencils to learn what it was like to go
to school 100 years ago.
Cost per student: $4.00 for DEA members, $5.00 for non-members
On the Trail with Lewis and Clark
Join the expedition! Learn about Lewis and Clark’s journey through
the untamed Louisiana Purchase. Games and hands-on activities make
this a trip you will never forget! This program made possible
by the National Park Service Challenge Cost Share Program.
Cost per student: $4.00 for DEA members, $5.00 for non-members
Grade 3 "Building Our City" Guided Tour
Students will use artifacts, hands-on activities, and a student resource
guide to explore Omaha by looking at its major historical events,
prominent citizens, businesses, immigration trends and ethnic diversity.
Students will also enjoy studying changes in transportation and visiting
the museum's
train cars and streetcar. This program
is designed to meet state social studies standards.
Cost per student: $4.00 for DEA members, $5.00 for non-members
Tour Length: 11/2 hours
Grade 4 "Nebraska History" Guided Tour
Fourth graders will experience Nebraska history through a hands-on
tour highlighting the resources, the people, and the events that shaped
Nebraska.
Students will enjoy special activities that highlight Nebraska's early
explorers, the Plains Indians, westward expansion, changes in transportation,
and Nebraska's geography. Special map and data gathering exercises
will be utilized with the museum's exhibitions.
Cost per student: $4.00 for DEA members, $5.00 for non-members
Tour Length: 11/2 hours
Fourth Grade Statehood Birthday Party Program
Durham Western Heritage Museum hosts the Statehood Day: Birthday Party.
Groups must make reservations
through the Secretary of State's office.
Sharon Hambek (402) 471 - 6044
Middle
School and High School Groups - Grades 6 - 12
Guided Tour
This guided tour will lead students through hundreds of years of area
history while exploring museum exhibitions. This tour will include
information on the history of the building, and will wind through
restored train cars, into a Native American Earth Lodge and Tipi,
through recreated early Omaha city homes, and to the Trans-Mississippi
Exposition of 1898.
Cost: Free
Tour Length: 1 hour
Architecture and Design Class
Durham Western Heritage Museum stands as one of the best examples
of original Art Deco architecture and design. This class is designed not only to use this magnificent building as a learning tool, but other exhibits as well. Student will learn how an Omaha Earthen Lodge was made; the characteristics of other early housing in our city, and the mystery behind the design of the Trans-Mississippi. The use of photos from our Photo Archives will help in illustrating the growth of our community.
Cost: $4.00 for DEA members, $5.00 for non-members
Tour Length: 1 1/2 hours
Omaha History Class
Our innocent little town was founded in 1854, with only 24 permanent residents calling it "home". So how did our city go from a population of 24 to today? What bumps and hurtles did we over come to make us one of the fastest growing cities in the Midwest? Hands on artifacts, photos and stories help students to better understand the rapid growth and maturity of our little river front town.
Cost: $4.00 for DEA memebers, $5.00 for non-members
Tour Length: 1 1/2 hours
Native American Life
Did you know that over 14 different Native American tribes came through this area? And the Omaha tribe had two different housing styles or that certain words were pronounced differently based on whether you were a boy or girl. Find out about the trial of Standing Bear and more in this informational class.
Cost: $4.00 for DEA members, $5.00 for non-members
Tour Length: 1 1/2 hours
Primary & Secondary Resources Workshop
By using the exhibits and photo archives, students are able to better understand what primary and secondary resources are and how to use them. This is a great tie-in for those who are interested in History Day.
Cost: $4.00 for DEA members, $5.00 for non-members
Tour Length: 1 1/2 hours
History Day Competition (For Grades 6-12)
National History Day is an education program that engages students in the process of discovery and interpretation of historical topics. Students produce dramatic performances, imaginative exhibits, multimedia documentaries, research papers, and unique websites that relate to an annual theme.
Durham Western Heritage Museum will host the Metro-Area competition for National History Day:
March 15, 2008. The theme for 2008 is Conflict and Compromise in History .
Upcoming themes (themes are subject to change):
2009: The Individual in History
2010: Innovation in History
2011: Geography in History: Impact, Influence, Change
For more information, call (402) 444-5071 ex. 562.
2007 Metro-Area History Day Winners
Click here for more information on National History Day in Nebraska
Traveling Exhibit Tour
Give your class a great opportunity to explore some of the nations top exhibits. Resources pre & post visit activites are available for most tours.
Cost: $4.00 for DEA members, $5.00 for non-members
Tour Length: 1 1/2 hours
Home School Happenings
Do you home school your kids or know someone who does? Then check out the classes below created just for home schoolers! Home school students can experience the perfect addition to their curriculum while parents get a day to explore the Durham's vast array of cultural offerings.
February 21st 10:00-11:30 & 1:00-2:30
In celebration of "Black History Month," kids of all ages will delve into people and events surrounding African American history.
April 17th 10:00-11:30 & 1:00-2:30
Kindergarten-2nd Grade: Howdy little buckaroo! Gallup back in time as we examine the Wild West. Glimpse into the western world of clothing, equipment and cattle drives. Your adventure bound when you create your own Sheriff badge and brand. Giddy up!
3rd-5th Grade: Students will use artifacts and hands-on activities to explore Omaha by looking at its major historical events, prominent citizens, businesses, immigration, trends and ethnic diversity. "Building our City," will help them understand what made our city great. This class meets state history standards.
6th-12th Grade: "The History of Omaha," will be examined through the exhibit, "Omaha Business and Sports Hall of Fame." We will take a hard look at the wide and diverse range of people who have made Omaha what it is today and how these people made an impact on a national scale.
To register please contact Natasha Warner at 444-5071 ex. 556