Sarpy County Museum Update
The Sarpy County Historical Society is entering an important transition as we plan for the future of preserving and sharing our county's history. Following professional evaluations, environmental and structural conditions were identified in the museum building. After careful review, the Board of Directors determined that continued operation in the current facility is not sustainable and that full remediation would not be a fiscally responsible long-term solution. As a result, the Sarpy County Museum building is now closed. Protecting Sarpy County's history remains our highest priority. Selected historically significant collections are being identified, stabilized, and cared for appropriately while plans move forward.
The Sarpy County Historical Society remains active and full committed to its mission. The Board is actively pursuing plans for a new, sustainable, and future-ready heritage center that will allow our community's history to be preserved and shared for generations to come. We are committed to open communications throughout this transition and will continue to share updates as plans progress. Thank you for your continued interest and support of Sarpy County history.
The Sarpy County Historical Society remains active and full committed to its mission. The Board is actively pursuing plans for a new, sustainable, and future-ready heritage center that will allow our community's history to be preserved and shared for generations to come. We are committed to open communications throughout this transition and will continue to share updates as plans progress. Thank you for your continued interest and support of Sarpy County history.
Environmental Reports
Sarpy County Museum FAQs
Why wasn’t the environmental report released sooner?
When the environmental report was completed, the Historical Society was asked to allow time for the County and City to review the findings and address contractual matters between those entities. This time period also included the Christmas and New Years holidays. During that time frame, we focused on understanding the report and determining the most responsible next steps for the collection and the organization. Once those discussions were underway, the Historical Society began communicating with the public about the situation and the transition we are now managing.
Who was responsible for maintaining the museum building?
Over the last five decades the maintenance responsibilities for the building have been shared among different entities under various agreements between the City, the County, and the Historical Society. Because those arrangements evolved over time, it is best described as a collaborative arrangement rather than the responsibility of any single organization. Our focus right now is less on assigning responsibility for the past and more on ensuring that the historical collection is cared for properly moving forward.
Could the museum have been saved?
For many years, the museum has meant a great deal to the people of Sarpy County, and of course we agree with them and wish things were different. But once the environmental and structural concerns were identified, the priority became the museum’s visitors and its collection. The Historical Society’s focus is now on responsibly caring for those artifacts and continuing to share Sarpy County history with the community through new outreach efforts.
What happens now?
Right now, the Historical Society is focused on the future. We are carefully reviewing the collection, finalizing the process for returning loaned artifacts to their owners, and working with regional historical organizations to ensure that items connected to Sarpy County are preserved appropriately. We are also expanding and strengthening our board, participating in extensive community engagement, and collaborating with the City and County to ensure a smooth transition. In addition, we are also preparing new outreach efforts so that Sarpy County history continues to be shared with the community even without a permanent museum building.
Why is the Board continuing this work?
The Board members are volunteers who care deeply about preserving Sarpy County’s history. Our board believes that our responsibility does not end simply because the museum building has closed. The artifacts and stories of Sarpy County celebrate our heritage and pay homage to our founders – the people who persevered so we could live in the fastest growing county in the State. We feel fortunate to call Sarpy County home and we are committed to ensuring our history is preserved for generations to come.
How can the community help?
The building may be closed, but the work of preserving and sharing Sarpy County history continues. The Sarpy County Historical Society is a volunteer organization. Community support has always been the foundation of the Historical Society, and we welcome anyone who would also like to volunteer, become a member, or help preserve Sarpy County history. Currently, our board consists of six members, and our volunteer roster stands at seven dedicated individuals. Pair that with the thousands of archives that must be reviewed in the next few months, and we’re sure you can begin to grasp the gravity of this job. If you would like to volunteer, please email us at [email protected]. We’d love to have you join us!
When the environmental report was completed, the Historical Society was asked to allow time for the County and City to review the findings and address contractual matters between those entities. This time period also included the Christmas and New Years holidays. During that time frame, we focused on understanding the report and determining the most responsible next steps for the collection and the organization. Once those discussions were underway, the Historical Society began communicating with the public about the situation and the transition we are now managing.
Who was responsible for maintaining the museum building?
Over the last five decades the maintenance responsibilities for the building have been shared among different entities under various agreements between the City, the County, and the Historical Society. Because those arrangements evolved over time, it is best described as a collaborative arrangement rather than the responsibility of any single organization. Our focus right now is less on assigning responsibility for the past and more on ensuring that the historical collection is cared for properly moving forward.
Could the museum have been saved?
For many years, the museum has meant a great deal to the people of Sarpy County, and of course we agree with them and wish things were different. But once the environmental and structural concerns were identified, the priority became the museum’s visitors and its collection. The Historical Society’s focus is now on responsibly caring for those artifacts and continuing to share Sarpy County history with the community through new outreach efforts.
What happens now?
Right now, the Historical Society is focused on the future. We are carefully reviewing the collection, finalizing the process for returning loaned artifacts to their owners, and working with regional historical organizations to ensure that items connected to Sarpy County are preserved appropriately. We are also expanding and strengthening our board, participating in extensive community engagement, and collaborating with the City and County to ensure a smooth transition. In addition, we are also preparing new outreach efforts so that Sarpy County history continues to be shared with the community even without a permanent museum building.
Why is the Board continuing this work?
The Board members are volunteers who care deeply about preserving Sarpy County’s history. Our board believes that our responsibility does not end simply because the museum building has closed. The artifacts and stories of Sarpy County celebrate our heritage and pay homage to our founders – the people who persevered so we could live in the fastest growing county in the State. We feel fortunate to call Sarpy County home and we are committed to ensuring our history is preserved for generations to come.
How can the community help?
The building may be closed, but the work of preserving and sharing Sarpy County history continues. The Sarpy County Historical Society is a volunteer organization. Community support has always been the foundation of the Historical Society, and we welcome anyone who would also like to volunteer, become a member, or help preserve Sarpy County history. Currently, our board consists of six members, and our volunteer roster stands at seven dedicated individuals. Pair that with the thousands of archives that must be reviewed in the next few months, and we’re sure you can begin to grasp the gravity of this job. If you would like to volunteer, please email us at [email protected]. We’d love to have you join us!
Loaned Items FAQs
How do I request the return of an item I loaned to the Sarpy County Museum?
If you have an item that was loaned to the Sarpy County Museum and would like to request its return, please contact the Sarpy County Historical Society no later than Friday, April 10, 2026.
To submit a request:
• Call: 402-292-1880 and leave a message with
– Your name
– Your phone number
– A brief description of the item you loaned
or
• Complete the request form, which can be found below.
Please allow two weeks for a representative of the Sarpy County Historical Society to contact you to follow up on your request and coordinate next steps.
How will the Society verify ownership before returning a loaned item?
The Sarpy County Historical Society will review available museum records, including loan agreements, catalog records, and historical documentation, to verify the original lender or their authorized representative. Individuals requesting the return of a loaned item may be asked to provide identifying information or documentation to help confirm ownership. This may include:
The Sarpy County Historical Society reserves the right to take reasonable steps to confirm ownership before releasing any item.
If you have an item that was loaned to the Sarpy County Museum and would like to request its return, please contact the Sarpy County Historical Society no later than Friday, April 10, 2026.
To submit a request:
• Call: 402-292-1880 and leave a message with
– Your name
– Your phone number
– A brief description of the item you loaned
or
• Complete the request form, which can be found below.
Please allow two weeks for a representative of the Sarpy County Historical Society to contact you to follow up on your request and coordinate next steps.
How will the Society verify ownership before returning a loaned item?
The Sarpy County Historical Society will review available museum records, including loan agreements, catalog records, and historical documentation, to verify the original lender or their authorized representative. Individuals requesting the return of a loaned item may be asked to provide identifying information or documentation to help confirm ownership. This may include:
- The name of the original lender
- A description of the item
- Approximate date the item was loaned
- Any documentation or photographs related to the loan
The Sarpy County Historical Society reserves the right to take reasonable steps to confirm ownership before releasing any item.
