Legacy of the Plains Museum
2930 Old Oregon Trail
Gering, NE 69341
(308) 436-1989
info@legacyoftheplains.org
Legacy of the Plains Museum
  • Facebook
  • TripAdvisor
  • Instagram
  • Search ...
  • Home
  • Admission Prices
  • Plan A Visit
    • Exhibits
      • Indoor Exhibits
      • Outdoor Exhibits
      • The Japanese Hall Project
      • Special Exhibits
    • Gift Barn
    • Tour Groups
    • Tour Western Nebraska
    • Hiking
    • Private Events
    • Testimonials
  • Events
    • Fundraisers
    • Harvest Festival
    • Family Fun Day
    • High Plains Christmas
    • Yuletide Lights on the Prairie
    • Trees Along the Trail
    • Puzzles of the Past
    • Rug Hooking
    • Draft Horse Driving Clinic
    • Tractor Relay Across Nebraska
    • Pony Express Re-Ride
    • Oregon Trail Days
    • Fundraising Concert
    • Oregon Trail Wagon Train
  • About Us
    • Our Mission
    • History
    • Our Future
    • LOTP Podcast – Voices on the Prairie Wind
    • Board of Directors
    • Our Partners
    • Blog & News
    • Contact Us
  • Our Collections
    • Donate to Our Collections
    • Library and Archive
      • Henderson Collection
      • Audiovisual Collections
      • Rare Publications
      • Archival Material
      • Farm Publications
  • Private Events
  • Support Us
    • Become a Member
    • Phase Two – Capital Campaign
    • Make A Donation
    • Volunteer
    • Attend a Fundraiser
      • Bandana Benefit

2014 Free Land Chautauqua

8 years ago

The 2014 “Free Land? 1862 and the Shaping of Modern America” Chautauqua, hosted under the big tent here at Legacy of the Plains Museum, sponsored by Humanities Nebraska and myriad local entities, was a wonderful success. There were a few nights where weather was a challenge, but our community has been immeasurably enriched by the lectures, readings, and other activities surrounding this Chautauqua, which explored “the impact of landmark legislations through the historical lens of homesteading, migration, and displacement on the Great Plains.”

To quote from the Humanities Nebraska website about this Chautauqua:

The Homestead Act, the Morrill Act, and the Pacific Railway Act all were passed within six weeks of each other in 1862, and set into motion sweeping changes for the Great Plains region and the American West. The impact of this legislation was felt by millions of people: war veterans, Easterners looking for new opportunities, immigrants, women, African-Americans and Native Americans.

Now, for some pictures of the event:

 

Green Valley Homesteaders

The Green Valley Homesteaders opened the inaugural day of the Chautauqua and warmed up the audience for the “meet the Chautauquans” event.

Mayoral Proclamation

Chautauqua co-chairs Barb Schlothauer and Mike Minzey listen as Gering Mayor Ed Mayo, Scottsbluff Mayor Randy Meininger, and Terrytown Mayor Kent Greenwalt proclaim Chautauqua Week.

book signing

LPM Executive Director Katie Bradshaw had her copy of Mark Twain’s book “Roughing It” signed by the author . . .  well, signed by an actor/historian portraying the author, that is. Did you know? Mark Twain had his first sighting of a Pony Express rider as he was traveling west in a stagecoach near the present-day site of our museum.

Yes M'am

Yes M’am opened the first night of Chautauqua lectures on the stage of the Gering High School auditorium (threatening weather drove the event inside).

Mark Twain host

Warren Brown, AKA Mark Twain, served as the emcee every night and warmed up the audience with a little dry humor.

Willa Cather

Betty Jean Steinshouer, AKA Willa Cather, was true to the spirit of Cather’s personality and eschewed standing up on the stage, preferring to speak from the same level as the audience, and vociferously protested photography.

Gering City Band

Day 2 of the Chautauqua began with a rousing performance of the Gering City Band under the big tent, but threatening weather once again drove everyone inside, this time into the museum’s lobby and community room.

Grenville Dodge

Patrick E. McGinnis, AKA Grenville Dodge, drew some chuckles from the audience with his first-person historical presentation.

Youth Chautauquans

Day 3 of the Chautauqua, again held inside due to weather, was a real treat. A dozen young people from our community worked with local mentors and Ride into History to learn in one short week a bit of the art of first-person living history portrayals. Local historical characters portrayed included Chief Red Cloud, George Fairfield, Sarah Gering, Oscar Gardner, Dr. Georgia Arbuckle Fix, A.B. Wood, Terry Carpenter, James Carr, T.L. Green, Mari Sandoz, Paul Henderson, and Hubert Bishop AKA Miss Claire Bish.

Laura Ingalls Wilder

The Green Valley Homesteaders returned to play as Karen Vuranch, AKA Laura Ingalls Wilder, sang an old-timey tune prior to her first-person historical lecture.

Torrington Fiddlers

Finally! On Day 4 of the Chautauqua, the entire event was held in the big tent. The Torrington Fiddlers opened the evening.

George Washington Carver

Paxton Williams, AKA George Washington Carver, invited a young member of the audience up onto the stage.

Many Nations Dancers

The Many Nations Dancers took the stage under the tent on Day 5, the final day of the Chautauqua.

Chief Standing Bear

Taylor Keen, AKA Chief Standing Bear, gave a moving performance, short portions of which were spoken in the Ponca language.

Chautauqua tent

The empty Chautauqua tent on closing night – a bittersweet sight!

Thank you to everyone who supported and attended the Chautauqua and made this event a success!

Copyright 2014 by Legacy of the Plains

ChautauquaChief Standing BearFree LandGeorge Washington CarverGrenville DodgeHomestead ActHumanities NebraskaLaura Ingalls Wilderliving historyMark TwainWilla Cather

Share

  • Home
  • Plan A Visit
  • Events
  • About Us
  • Our Collections
  • Support Us

Archives

  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • September 2021
  • April 2021
  • December 2020
  • August 2020
  • June 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • December 2019
  • September 2019
  • July 2019
  • February 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • September 2015
  • June 2015
  • March 2015
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • March 2014

Hours of Operation

Summer hours are April 1st thru
Monday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Legacy of the Plains Museum
2930 Old Oregon Trail
Gering, NE 69341
(308) 436-1989
info@legacyoftheplains.org
  • Facebook
  • TripAdvisor
  • Instagram
  • Search ...


Copyright © 2022 Legacy of the Plains Museum
Produced in part by a grant from the Nebraska Tourism Commission
1-888-444-1867 www.VisitNebraska.com