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Holdrege, Nebraska

The feature that sets Nebraska Prairie Museum apart from other museums is its unique POW display. German POW's were housed at Camp Atlanta during W.W. II. These prisoners told stories of their exceptional treatment and lifelong friendships that developed through the adversity of war.

The WWII Interpretive Center exhibit displays a scale replica of the original WWII German POW Camp Atlanta which was located five miles southwest of Holdrege by Atlanta, Ne. Also exhibited are items donated by former military personnel who worked there, letters and photographs of POWs who were interned there, and local families and businesses who hired the POWs during the war. Videos of interviews and books are available for purchase. The Thomas F. Naegele art gallery, In the Eye of the Storm, tells the story of those years, witnessed and described in paintings and words by a budding artist and his senior self, a little known, but poignant chapter in the history or war and peace.

Extensive collections of prairie history are on display throughout the museum complex.. Home and business period rooms, dish collections, a quilt collection, arrowhead collection, antique farm machinery and tools, and a genealogical library are on display. Out buildings include a Lutheran Church, one room school house, early farm house, POW guard tower replica, and windmill.

Attractions and Upcoming Events


Eagle Viewing

The bald eagle has always captured the attention of Americans, so much so that in 1782 the Continental Congress chose the eagle as the national bird and the centerpiece for the nation's Great Seal. Over the years, the bald eagle acquired its status as a symbol of freedom and of the United States.

Holdrege, NE Birdwatching

City Auditorium

With the building of the city auditorium in 1916

Holdrege, NE Historic Buildings

WWII German POW Interpretive Center

The feature that sets Nebraska Prairie Museum apart from other museums is its unique POW display. German POW's were housed at Camp Atlanta during W.W. II. These prisoners told stories of their exceptional treatment and lifelong friendships that developed through the adversity of war.

Holdrege, NE Museums

Phelps County Courthouse

The railroad offered a city block to the citizens of Holdrege if they would build a courthouse. The ambitious merchants promptly provided the funds and the cornerstone was dedicated on October 10, 1884. Subsequently, the voters approved removal of the county seat to Holdrege on November 11

Holdrege, NE Historic Courthouses

Things to do near Holdrege, NE