August 21, 2026
Press Release
Nebraska Prairie Museum to Celebrate Grand Opening of Project: Prairie Power Exhibit Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Scheduled for August 29
HOLDREGE, Neb. – The Nebraska Prairie Museum will celebrate a major milestone in its history on Saturday, August 29, at 10:00 a.m. with the official ribbon cutting and grand opening of Project: Prairie Power, a new permanent exhibit exploring the history and impact of rural electrification in south-central Nebraska.
The public is invited to attend the ceremony, which will include remarks from project partners and community leaders, followed by coffee, refreshments, and an opportunity to tour the completed exhibit.
Project: Prairie Power tells the story of how Water, Soil, and Electricity follwing the Industrialization of Agriculture transformed life across the Great Plains. Through artifacts, photographs, oral histories, interactive displays, and multimedia experiences, visitors will discover how much those factors impacted farms, homes, businesses, and communities that had previously relied on manual labor and limited technology.
For the Nebraska Prairie Museum, however, the exhibit represents much more than a new gallery. It marks the culmination of years of planning, fundraising, research, artifact collection, design, and construction.
"This project has been a journey that involved countless individuals, organizations, and supporters who all believed in preserving this important story," said Micah Huyser, Executive Director of the Nebraska Prairie Museum. "Project: Prairie Power demonstrates what can be accomplished when a community comes together to invest in preserving its history for future generations."
The idea for the exhibit began with a recognition that the story of rural industrialization was rapidly fading from living memory, despite its profound impact on agriculture, industry and daily life throughout Nebraska.
Over time, the vision expanded into one of the most ambitious exhibit projects undertaken by the museum. Grant funding, donations, sponsorships, and partnerships helped move the project from concept to reality. Along the way, project leaders faced the challenges common to large-scale museum developments, including exhibit design changes, fabrication timelines, artifact conservation needs, and fundraising efforts.
Despite these obstacles, momentum continued to build as community support grew. The project ultimately evolved into a modern exhibit experience designed not only to preserve history but also to engage visitors of all ages through immersive storytelling and hands-on learning opportunities.
The completion of Project: Prairie Power represents another significant step in the ongoing evolution of the Nebraska Prairie Museum. As the institution continues to expand its offerings, improve facilities, and enhance visitor experiences, the exhibit serves as a model for future projects that connect local stories with broader historical themes.
Community members, supporters, and visitors from across the region are encouraged to attend the ribbon cutting and help celebrate the opening of an exhibit that honors the ingenuity, perseverance, and vision of the people who helped power rural Nebraska.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, August 29
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: Nebraska Prairie Museum, 2701 Burlington St. Holdrege, Nebraska
Admission: Free and open to the public
Refreshments: Coffee and refreshments will be served following the ceremony
Media Contact
Micah Huyser
Executive Director
Nebraska Prairie Museum
(308) 995-5015
director@nebraskaprairiemuseum.org