upcoming Exhibits
Get “drawn” into the world of animation!
Step into your favorite Saturday-morning cartoons and explore the remarkable world of storytelling through animation. Our much-anticipated summer exhibition, The Animation Academy: From Pencils to Pixels, invites visitors of all ages to leap into the fascinating realm of the cartoon genre. This unique exhibit provides a rare glimpse into the magic behind some of the most beloved animated films and characters, and offers a comprehensive exploration of the art, science, technology and history of animation.
Venture through the animation process, from concept and character creation to storyboarding, rendering and final production. Explore original storyboards, scripts and narrative techniques used in classic animation before putting your own stop-motion movie skills to the test!
Interactive stations and photo-ops add to the experience. Watch mesmerizing illusions in the world’s largest 3D zoetrope. Snap a photo in The Simpsons living room, strike a pose with Po from Kung Fu Panda or meet Gumby, the beloved, green, clay humanoid and his sidekick Pokey.
Exhibit Highlights:
- The worldās largest 3D zoetrope
- 2D and 3D stop-motion interactives and tracing stations
- Animation university experience
- āThe Simpsonsā and photo ops
- Shrek KEVA castle interactive
- Magnetic storyboard, RFID animation process and spin browser interactives
- Chuck Jones Studio interactive
- Guest artist workshop experience
- Gumby workshop/studio interactive
- Exclusive 60-year history of Gumby timeline with original puppets
- Exclusive Clokey Studios original character puppets and dioramas
- Ray Harryhausen original Tortoise and the Hare set interactive
- Saturday-morning cartoons experience
- Original Shrek prototype maquettes
- Electronic watercolor wall interactive
- Chromakey social media station
Animation Academy: From Pencils to PixelsĀ®, produced by Stage 9 Exhibits and distributed by Exhibits Development Group, provides BIG fun for all visitors. LOONEY TUNES and all related characters and elements provided by the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity and are TM and Ā© Warner Bros. All Rights Reserved. GUMBY and all related characters and elements TM and Ā© Clokey Enterprises.
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SUPPORTED LOCALLY BY
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Verhalen Family
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MEDIA SPONSOR |
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EXHIBIT PROGRAMMING
STORYTELLERS: ARTISTS FROM OUR OWN BACKYARD
MAY 31 – August 31, 2025
In conjunction with The Animation Academy, The Durham Museum has developed a companion exhibition featuring artists and storytellers from Nebraska whose work in various media is inspiring dreamers of all generations. Through cartoons, illustrations, mixed media, musical compositions and computer animation, the work of these artists helps a story jump off the page. The display features examples from comic books and children’s books to the big screen and shows how Nebraskan artists tell different types of stories through their work.
Featured artists include: Bruce Arant, Michael Burton, Caitlin Cass, Trent Claus, Drew Conley, Bob Hall, Timothy James Hantula, Cale Oglesby, Henry Payer and Chip Thompson.
HOCKEY: FASTER THAN EVER
OCTOBER 4, 2025 – JANUARY 11, 2026
Get ready to drop the puck on a highly interactive exhibition on the science, history and culture of one of the ācoolestā sports in the world.
HOCKEY: Faster Than Ever takes visitors on an exciting journey through the evolution of ice hockey, showcasing the remarkable technical advancements and scientific breakthroughs that have shaped the sport over time. From cutting-edge technologies to the physics of play, the exhibition will leave guests amazed by the fusion of science and sport.
Visitors will test their skills and knowledge like true hockey pros with a variety of exciting interactives. Have lightning-fast reflexes? Put them to the test in āDonāt Blinkā and see how many lights you can hit in one minute. Feel the adrenaline rush as you step up to āNeed for Speedā and unleash your shot power ā measure your slapshot speed and compete with your friends to see who has the fastest shot. Looking to finesse your aim? Hit the targets in āScore Like a Proā and prove your precision with a puck. Then pay tribute to the pinnacle of hockey at āThe Stanley CupĀ®ā touchscreen, where you can get up close to the most coveted trophy in sports history.
Visitors can also snap a selfie with a real ice resurfacer and explore displays showcasing the evolution of skates and gear from the 19th and 20th centuries. The exhibit also features an impressive locker room outfitted with jerseys and more from your favorite NHL stars.
HOCKEY: Faster Than Ever is a traveling exhibition produced and toured internationally by Flying Fish in collaboration with the MontrĆ©al Science Centre andĀ supported by the Ā©NHL and the Ā©NHLPA.
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION EXPERIENCE
June 28 – July 20, 2025
The Durham Museum is collaborating with the Omaha, Major Issac Sadler-La Belle Vue, and Mary Katharine Goddard Chapters, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution to host a traveling panel exhibit focused on the lives of patriots and loyalists, men and women, Black and Indigenous as we approach the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.
Tensions mounted in the 1770s and the colonies were on the cusp of declaring independence from the British crown. Citizens were faced with important questions. What were they willing to risk in the pursuit of liberty? Would they remain loyal to the crown and face conflict with friends and family? The experiences of individuals who faced these very concerns and made different choices are detailed in The American Revolution Experience. Discover the stories of profiled individuals within the 12 panels and three interactive kiosks that include biographies, context on the Revolutionary War and places tied to these individuals.
This exhibit was created through a collaboration with the American Battlefield Trust and the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution. Made possible by generous matching funds from the National Park Service’s American Battlefield Protection Program battlefield interpretation grants.
THE DURHAM MUSEUM: THE FIRST 50 YEARS EXHIBITION
AUGUST 30 – JANUARY 4, 2026
With the rise of air travel and Amtrakās announcement that it would begin serving Omaha, the cityās Union Station headed toward closure by the 1970s. Omaha Mayor Gene Leahy met with Union Pacific officials to determine the structureās future. Union Pacific gifted Omahaās Union Station to the city in 1973 under the condition that it become a space for future generations to enjoy.
Two years later, the Western Heritage Museum opened on November 22, 1975.
Since then, the museum’s development has included notable people, moments and traditions that preserved this historic structure and provided a space to share our community’s histories. The First 50 Years display tells the museum’s story through images and artifacts.
Ā ADMISSION
Adults: $15*
Seniors (62+): $12*
Military/Veteran: $12*
Children (ages 3 ā 12): $8*
*PLUS TAX
Children 2 years and under FREE
Members: FREE!
BOOK YOUR TICKET Ā»
Advance reservations are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome.
Members, your free admission discount is applied near the end of the online registration process.
Visitor FAQs Ā»
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