NEBRASKA CITY – Since the Nebraska City Museum Association formed in 2001 it has hoped for stronger ties with Arbor Lodge and coordinator Dean Shissler expects participation from the city's most esteemed attraction to boost activity in the resident admission program.

In the 14 years of the resident admission program 22,000 locals have visited museums and Shissler expects Arbor Lodge to keep residents exploring their history.

Shissler: “Collaboration between all of the museums in town to preserve the history of this community is only a collaboration when we have everyone involved. It is a collective effort and having Arbor Lodge join us in that collective effort to preserve two centuries of history here in town is going to be wonderful.”

 

 

Laura Steinman, Arbor Lodge coordinator, said the Arbor Day Foundation joined the association to allow Nebraska City residents to use the museum pass at the mansion for non-ticketed events.

Steinman: “We’re proud of the fact we have such a high percentage of museums in our community for the population base we have and we have such a variety of museums. We are especially excited now that we can be a part of that.”

Steinman: “Every year for Arbor Day we have our Arbor Day childrens program and I always ask how many of you have been in the mansion. It’s such a small percentage of children in our community. That means that their parents aren’t visiting, maybe their grandparents are not visiting. We’re so excited that our local residents are going to be able to come out and see the exhibits that we have and be proud of what’s in their backyard.”

 

The addition of Arbor Lodge will not reduce the amount of  Nebraska City Growth Funds available to keep some of the smaller museums open during the tourism season because the Arbor Day Foundation will waive salary assistance. The free admission is available to everyone in the 68410 postal zip code.

Steinman: “J. Sterling Morton once said that the home is the highest distinguishing attribute of civilization and a love of home is primary to fundamental patriotism. So, if you look at that, and you’re thinking about what we’re doing with the museum association, getting these local residents and children through the door, getting more of a love of their home, pride in their home and a proud fact that they are living in the home of Arbor Day, that’s going to give them a little bit more patriotism, a little bit more pride that they are going to share with their family, their friends, their community, and, hopefully, spread with guests outside.”