Punch your Ticket! – The Durham Museum’s River City History Tours kick-off May 10

The past comes alive during River City History Tours at The Durham Museum! River City History Tours are historically accurate and entertaining tours that share the fascinating history of Omaha. Explore the city’s vibrant past aboard Ollie the Trolley and hear stories from knowledgeable tour guides.

Select from the following six tours – each offering a unique viewpoint into the early years of the city. Sunday tours start at 2PM and Tuesday tours start at 6PM. Tours are $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Membership discount applies only to those in the household. Reserve your seat online at www.DurhamMuseum.org/tours or call 402-444-5027. Payment is due at the time of reservation.

New This Year! Remember the Ladies Tour
Tour Offered: May 10, August 11 and September 20
When learning about the founding of Omaha, we often hear the stories of Grenville Dodge, the Kountze Brothers and Edward Creighton among many other male founders. However, in the words of United States First Lady, Mrs. Abigail Adams we must “remember the ladies”. Hop on a trolley tour with us in honor of the founding ladies of Omaha including real estate businesswoman, Mrs. Catherine B. Nash, the National Printing Company’s, Rose Rosicky, and the successful businesswoman and owner of one of early Omaha’s brothels, Anna Wilson. This tour will take you to several historic buildings, areas and businesses that were owned and/or ran by early Omaha women as well as the still standing buildings that employed hundreds of women in manufacturing, railroading and entertainment.

Last Call for Alcohol: Omaha’s Bootlegging History
Tour Offered: June 16, July 14 and October 11
The 18th Amendment to the Constitution did not stop people’s thirst for alcohol. By the time prohibition was the law of the land in 1919, Nebraska had been “dry” for two years. Organized crime syndicates had established a well-oiled machine to profit from those wanting to purchase illegal drink and be a part of the activities associated with it. The local and federal authorities spent years putting together a case that ultimately brought down the “kingpin” of Omaha’s crime scene, Tom Dennison. The information presented on this tour is based off the 1931 federal indictment brought against some of Omaha’s largest bootleggers.

Parks and Boulevards
Tour Offered: June 7, September 15 and October 18
Did you know that Omaha, or “River City”, developed a beautiful parks and boulevard system beginning in the late 1800s? In fact, much of this system remains today linking popular parks like Elmwood and Hanscom with gorgeous tree-lined streets such as Happy Hollow and Lincoln Boulevard. Our “Parks and Boulevards” tour will take you along the path these developers laid out so many years ago.

Millionaires & Mansions North Gold Coast
Tour Offered: June 28, July 26 and October 4
This tour explores the neighborhoods north of Dodge Street in mid-town Omaha. Along the way, learn about the Mercer Mansion, Joslyn Castle and the Louis Nash residence. The trolley will drive on the first curved street in the city and visitors will see many stately homes in the original “West Omaha.”

Millionaires & Mansions South Gold Coast
Tour Offered: May 24, July 5 and August 30
Take a trip to the early 1900s in the area south of Dodge Street in mid-town Omaha. Many landmarks in the city are located here including the Blackstone Hotel, the Storz Mansion and the home of Arthur and Zerlina Brandeis. Visitors will see the beauty of traditional architecture and hear the stories of the people who built these magnificent homes.

From Expositions to Jazz Musicians
Tour Offered: August 2 and September 6
In 1898, North Omaha hosted the Trans-Mississippi International Exposition, which celebrated technology and showed that life was civilized west of the Mississippi River. Following the Exposition, stately homes, parks and jazz halls made this area a cultural center of Omaha. The trolley will stop at the historic Florence Mill for a tour!

Private River City History Tours
Available year-round for groups of up to 42
Grab your friends, co-workers or family members and hit the streets for a private River City History tour. Pick your date and time (subject to availability) and the tour of your choice and have the whole trolley to yourself! For more information on scheduling a private tour, please contact The Durham’s education department.