PLATTSMOUTH - Since May 26,1936, Cass County Historical Society (CCHS) members have dedicated themselves to preserving the memories of hardworking families who settled here.

On Sept. 22,1962, CCHS held a grand opening for its museum building at 646 Main Street in Plattsmouth. Since that time, important historical donations have been placed in storage with no place to display them.

With plans already created and $1.5 million accumulated for a new $4-million, 10,000 square-foot addition to the existing building, CCHS intensified its efforts to raise another $2 million for the project by hosting an informational dinner at the county’s fairgrounds in Weeping Water Monday night. The addition would be built at the same level as the main building and would create a new entrance. The farm shed and other wooden buildings on the property would be demolished to make room for the addition.

“Our goal is to raise another $2 million in a couple of years,”  Dave Pankonin told the 105 people in attendance. Pankonin is a former state senator, long-time Cass County businessperson and CHHS Foundation chairperson. He added that CCHS Foundation is a 501(C)3 organization.  Contributions are tax deductible and all donations will be recognized by CCJS in several ways depending on the amount given.

Pankonin credited Cass County’s scenic beauty and its people for the need to preserve more of the history. “Past Lincoln its mainly flat land good for agriculture. But the scenic beauty of Cass County lies in our rolling hills, our rivers and streams and having the most popular parks in the state. Our effort to expand the museum is important.”

When A.L. Tidd, an attorney died, CCHS received a $4,430 donation to help fund a museum building. It also got $1 million when  Dr. John Gilmore bequeathed CCHS 400 acres of farmland to be sold and the funds to serve as a principal and interest on it to maintain the museum.

Sandra Allgeier, whose father owned the construction company that built the museum, presented a power point about its history and its current need for more space.

 

 

Weeping Water proved a proper location for the dinner, because CCHS’s first meeting was held in the town with 75 in attendance and 60 people joining the society with dues at 25 cents per year. The featured speaker was A.E. Sheldon, secretary of the Nebraska Historical Society. Dr. George Gilmore and Judge C.L. Graves founded CCHS in 1936, Allgeier said.

The Great Fire of Plattsmouth burned a hotel and theatre to the ground in the downtown area. Part of the theatre collapsed on the museum’s construction. “It was rebuilt right away and in 1968 an addition with a basement with a garage door was built,” Allgeier said.

In 1971, the museum got a 1930 Burlington-Northern caboose now found next to the Cook Cabin in Museum Park at the end of Main Street. It is also the site of a Lewis and Clark replica keel boat built by Butch Bovier. In 1977, CCHS also got the Rock Bluffs rural school the ghost town by its same name. “It originally was the Naomi Institute, then it became Rock Bluffs School,” she said.

In 1976 an additional building was set in the footprint of the burned theatre building. A farm shed was added beside the museum in 1980. “Both are in pretty poor condition,” Allgeier said.

The Davis Council Room was also added to the museum in 1990.

The museum has been an educational destination for local, national and international visitors since it opened.
In addition to its rotating exhibits, CCHS hosts a Living History Day with a blacksmith, rag doll making session, quilt show and other historically related activities. It also sponsors Brown Bag Programs, genealogical help and school visits. So far, 40 people have been interviewed to create an oral history project. On a touch-screen computer at the museum, people can watch them.

“The museum is for you, and we want you to bring your families here,” CCHS Fundraising Committee Chairperson Craig Buescher.

For more information about the museum or the addition, call Margo Prentiss, museum curator since 1996, at 402-296-4770.