Welcome to the Japanese Hall and History Project
The Japanese Hall, previously located on Avenue C in Scottsbluff, was constructed in 1928. For decades, this building was used for Japanese language classes, dances, festivals, theater productions, sports clubs, and church services. The Friendly Circle Bazaar was held at the building from the 1950s through 2016 to help maintain the building.
The Young Men’s Association and the Ian Kai also assisted in preserving the building. However, as time rolled on, more and more descendants have left the area in the quest of the American dream, and in November 2017 the building was sold and held its last event in March 2018. The owner donated the building to the Legacy of the Plains Museum.
The Japanese Hall building was moved to the Legacy of the Plains campus in December of 2019. We hope to open the doors in early 2024 to show off new exhibits featuring collections from the Japanese community. This move would ensure that the building and heritage of the Japanese of the High Plains would be preserved and protected for future generations.
We are excited to announce the Grand Opening of Japanese Hall will be Saturday, June 8, 2024, at the Hall’s location on the Legacy of the Plains Museum campus in Gering. All activities at the Museum will be free of charge that day. All times are Mountain Daylight Time.
*** Please, if you are a part of a family that wants to sit together, please give staff the names of the people you want to sit with. This will help us ensure you are together for this special occasion. ***
Email info@legacyoftheplains.org with your list of names.
The schedule of events is not solid, but here’s a brief schedule to help your planning.
- 9 a.m. Museum and grounds open (free)
- 10 a.m. Ribbon Cutting and Festivities (free)
- 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Japanese Hall open for tours; we are planning activities for children and adults, including taiko drummers, koto players, games and tours. (free)
- 5:30 p.m. Celebration and banquet, Gering Civic Center, 1050 M St., Gering. (RSVP required; cost per person to be determined)
Since 2015, the Japanese Hall and History Project, with Legacy of the Plains has planned, relocated and renovated the hall and exhibits including a look at the early Issei migration to the U.S. and to the High Plains; their livelihoods in business and agriculture; coping with racism and prejudice; experiences during WWII and other military operations; cultural, artistic and athletic activities; the current and future state of Japanese Americans in the High Plains. Most items in the exhibits have been donated to the museum by families. These items include heirloom dolls, clothing, dinnerware, books, paper goods, and photographs.
Make hotel reservations now as availability is limited
If you are planning to attend, make your hotel/motel reservations as soon as possible. The Nebraska Cattlemen’s Ball, a large event that raises funds for cancer research, is the same weekend in Scotts Bluff County. This event attracts many, and hotel rooms may be difficult to book. A list of Scotts Bluff County hotels can be found here.
Nearby accommodations may be available in Alliance (53 miles); Kimball (41 miles); Sidney (73 miles); Oshkosh (76 miles) and Torrington, Wyoming (35 miles). By Kim Hachiya
For more information or to learn more about how to donate to the Japanese Hall Project, please email inquiries to japanesehall@legacyoftheplains.org.
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