Durham Western Heritage Museum - Omaha, NE - Museum of Western history

Durham Western Heritage Museum, today known simply as The Durham Museum, is located in Omaha, Nebraska. It's a museum that's dedicated to preserving the heritage and displaying the history of the region through a number of exhibits, displays and events.

Durham Western Heritage Museum was first opened in 1975 in the former Union Station building, and since then has seen a number of name changes. It was first known as the Western Heritage Museum before it closed for a year in 1995 for a $22million renovation, largely funded by Charles and Marge Durham, so in their honor was renamed the Durham Western Heritage Museum. By 2008 its range of exhibits had grown to include things not limited to western heritage, so is today more commonly called The Durham Museum.

The museum has both temporary and permanent exhibits showcasing the history of the Omaha region. The Main Waiting Room of the former Union Station has been beautifully restored and is a fantastic backdrop to the exhibits, offering the perfect opportunity to step back in time.

As well as the various exhibits there are also several educational programs, lectures and events, as well as photo archives and research libraries. There are programs on offer to suit all ages, groups and interests, including summer camps, home school programs and group tours. Teacher resources are also available to help add something to any history lesson and will go hand-in-hand with a number of the programs on offer.

The museum is also home to a gift shop with gifts and souvenirs of all kinds including books, games, jewelry and clothing. There are educational materials as well as toys and games, and specialist souvenirs to provide a memento of the day.

For a unique bite to eat there's also the Soda Fountain, a traditional soda shop with old-style dispensers. There's a whole range of soda flavors to choose from, as well as ice creams, malts and milkshakes. They also serve lunch and a range of snacks throughout the day including hot dogs and sandwiches. Or for those with more of a sweet tooth there's the traditional Candy Shop with a great selection of nostalgic candies.

The museum is open throughout the year but is closed on Mondays and all major holidays. Opening times are 10am to 8pm Tuesdays, 10am to 5pm between Wednesday and Saturday and from 1pm to 5pm on Sundays. Admission prices are $7 for adults, $6 for senior citizens and $5 for children. It's completely free for children aged 2 and under and for all members.

Durham Western Heritage Museum is a great place to go to learn about the history and heritage of the area and about many aspects of history as a whole. It's well worth the trip for anyone with an interest in history, and even for people who simply want to know more about the town that they live in. It's in an ideal location to get to from anywhere in the area and will be well worth the trip.