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Tecumseh, Nebraska

The Johnson County Historical Society Museum complex consists of three historic buildings with the main building and the rural schoolhouse located at one site and the Old Jail standing on its original location nearby. The main museum is housed in the historic Christian Church that was built in 1888 with pews from the original church, an organ, and pulpits displayed at the front of the building. Adjacent to the church is the restored District 73 schoolhouse.

The church building includes a variety of exhibits, many of which are displayed in free-standing cases. Significant displays include a collection of farm toys, the McCrosky Collection of statuettes and fans, china and household items, quilts, and military artifacts. The basement includes collections of farm implements and tools, Indian artifacts, and an early kitchen display.

  • 1200-1450 AD Indian Pottery
  • Glass from the late 1700s
  • 1800 English Blue Willow dishes
  • 1833 Antique Clock
  • 1863 large Sherman Family Bible
  • Edison Cylinder Phonograph with horn
Other items include a collection of dolls, glassware, band instruments from the Tecumseh Military Band, many Indian artifacts, numerous pictures of residents, scenes of towns in the county, the Ingersoll unicycle, Frederick Prill emigrant trunk from Germany, a picture of the Civil War Andersonville prison, Donald J. Van Winkle's tractor collection, vintage clothing, biographical writings of prominent Johnson County residents, the papers of Col. Barney Oldfield, the story of the 17-year-old, 4-H club member who developed high-yield Hybrid Seed corn, becoming Dr. Charles O. Gardner, and recognized nationally and internationally for his genetic research in agronomy, plus numerous other exhibits on display.

Records of all Johnson County cemeteries and the obituaries from 1900 to 1939 are on file. There is much history about Johnson County and its residents that is recorded in the libraries on file as well as copies of the various Johnson County Newspapers.

Attractions and Upcoming Events

Tecumseh Historic District - NHR

Overlooking the north fork of the Big Nemaha River in southeast Nebraska's Drift Hills region, Tecumseh has been the county seat of Johnson County since the county's organization in 1856-57

Tecumseh, NE National Register

Chief Tecumseh

The town of Tecumseh, Nebraska was named after the great Shawnee (Shawenese) Indian Chief Tecumseh born in 1768. At the moment of his birth a comet flashed low across the sky. His father, who was a respected Shawnee warrior named Puckesinwa, named his son "Tecumseh" or "

Tecumseh, NE Indian Heritage

Old Johnson County Jail

The historic Johnson County jail was constructed in 1872 of native limestone. The huge blocks for the jail proper were secured from a quarry on Yankee Creek, 4 1/2

Tecumseh, NE Pioneer Life

Gazebo

The gazebo on the southeast corner of the Courthouse Square was built as a prop for the TV mini-series, "AMERIKA,"

Tecumseh, NE Landmarks

Tecumseh Opera House

The Tecumseh Opera House is a two-story brick building on the west side of the courthouse square. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the building was built in 1880 by W.R. Spicknell and W.H. Hassett.

Tecumseh, NE National Register

Things to do near Tecumseh, NE

College Heights Country Club

Course Access: Semi-PrivateHoles: 9Reserve Advance Tee Times: 1 days...

Woodland Hills Golf Course

Course Access: PublicHoles: 18Reserve Advance Tee Times: 7 days...