Current ExhibitS
THE NEGRO MOTORIST GREEN BOOK
NOW – MAY 3, 2026
Photo courtesy WANN Radio Station Records, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution.
Stories of bravery, innovation and creative self-determination
The Negro Motorist Green Book offers an immersive look at the reality of travel for African Americans in mid-century America, and how the annual guide served as an indispensable resource for many African Americans in the United States. The exhibition includes artifacts such as historic footage, images and firsthand accounts to convey not only the apprehension felt by African American travelers, but also the resilience and innovation of people fighting to live a full American existence. It will bring focus to a vibrant parallel world of African American businesses, the rise of the Black leisure class in the United States and the important role The Green Book played in facilitating the second wave of the Great Migration.
The Green Book was published and distributed nationwide from 1936 until 1967, providing African American travelers with information on restaurants, gas stations, department stores and other businesses that welcomed Black travelers. In an era of Jim Crow laws and “sundown towns,” The Green Book offered critical, life-saving information and sanctuary.
The Negro Motorist Green Book was created by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service in collaboration with award-winning author, photographer and cultural documentarian Candacy Taylor, and made possible through the generous support of Exxon Mobil Corp.
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Support for the exhibition at The Durham Museum provided by: |
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John & Lynne Boyer
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Verhalen Family Foundation |
Shirley & Leonard Goldstein
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MEDIA SPONSOR |
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UPCOMING EXHIBIT PROGRAMMING AT THE DURHAM
LOCAL TIES TO GREEN BOOK
To learn more about Omaha’s, and Nebraska’s, place in the world of the Green Book, visit The Great Plains Black History Museum exhibit The Negro Green Book of Travel: Safe Travel Through Nebraska, and Sundown Towns, on display from February 4-May 2, 2026, or visit The Omaha Green Book project online.
GET BUILDING! BRICKS AT THE DURHAM
NOW – MAY 24, 2026
The Durham Museum is partnering with Lincoln/Omaha LEGO® User Group (LOLUG) to create a fun and new interactive experience for builders of all ages. Featuring extraordinary models of Omaha Union Station, Carhenge, Nebraska State Capitol, a Nebraska landmark map and other creations developed by the LOLUG team, plus hands-on construction areas where visitors can free-build their own creations, Get Building! emphasizes creativity and collaboration.
GOLDEN SPIKE DAYS PHOTO EXHIBITION
NOW – AUGUST 21, 2026
Explore how Omaha became the center of the entertainment world in 1939 in a Photo Archive display that captures the excitement of one of the city’s biggest spectacles. Omaha hosted “Golden Spike Days,” a four-day celebration for the world premiere of Cecil B. DeMille’s film Union Pacific.
From parades to three Omaha theaters simultaneously screening the film and a grand costume ball finale, residents stepped back in time with false fronts on businesses and outfits to resemble life in 1869. The Golden Spike Days exhibit showcases the many happenings during this special occasion.
This project was curated by Durham Museum intern Sophie Krueger, University of Nebraska at Omaha graduate.
THE SOPRANOS: NINETEENTH CENTURY A-LISTERS
NOW – JUNE 7, 2026
Our latest showcase from the Byron Reed Collection highlights rare items from the world of 19th-century entertainment, when a theater boom brought live performers, especially opera singers, into the spotlight. Reed’s manuscript collection includes portraits and programs from the likes of renowned vocalists Henriette Sontag and Jenny “The Swedish Nightingale” Lind, who captivated audiences across Europe and won the hearts of American listeners, as well. Visitors can also learn about notable performer Mary Münchhoff, who called Omaha home.
This project was curated by Durham Museum intern Mina Bussa, University of Nebraska at Omaha graduate.
ADMISSION
Adults: $15*
Seniors (62+): $12*
Military/Veteran: $12*
Children (ages 3 – 12): $8*
*PLUS TAX
Children 2 years and under FREE
Members: FREE!
BOOK YOUR TICKET »
Advance reservations are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome.
Members, your free admission discount is applied near the end of the online registration process.
