EVENTS
2013
UPCOMING EVENTS

June 22-JUNETEENTH Celebration
The Mayhew Cabin will host is annual Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 22, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The event will include living history programs, Civil War reenactors, and music programs. Dr. Dan Holtz of Peru State College will present his Humanities Nebraska program, "Songs & Stories of the Civil War," at 1:30 p.m. In addition, there will be special presentations with an Abraham Lincoln reenactor at Noon and 2:30 p.m. to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation.

September 21-22 Flea Market
The Mayhew Cabin will host an outdoor flea market on September 21-22 (AppleJack weekend). The event will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days and is open to the public at no cost. There is an admission fee for touring the cabin and museum area. Vendors are welcome. Please call Cathy at 402-290-7492.

October 19th-Fundraiser Night
The museum will host is second annual fundraiser event on Saturday, October 19. The program will include a raffle and the presentation of the Mayhew Cabin Freedom Award.

RECENT EVENTS/PROGRAMS

May 3
The Mayhew Cabin hosted a  ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate the restoration of the log schoolhouse. Butch Bouvier, project leaded, and his crew were in attendance. Mr. Bouvier mentioned the importance of preserving the building to educate young people about our past. This event was sponsored by the Nebraska City Tourism & Commerce office.

April 27-28
The spring outdoor Flea Market held at the Mayhew Cabin over Arbor Day weekend was a huge success. Over 1,100 people attended and many had positive comments about the event. Over $650 in donations was raised from the event with all proceeds benefiting the Mayhew Cabin Foundation.

February 14 & 16 Black History Month Programs
The Mayhew Cabin co-sponsored two programs for Black History Month. The first program took place at Peru State College on Thursday, February 14th with Mr. James Beatty, chairman of the Great Plains Black History Museum, as the speaker. Over 4o people were in attendance with the student organizations Black Student Union and Phi Alpha Theta as co-sponsors.
    The second program took place at the G.A.R. Hall/Civil War Museum in Nebraska City on Saturday, February 16. John Harris gave a great presentation as Frederick Douglass.

2012
PAST EVENTS/PROGRAMS

November 9th-Fundraiser Night
The museum raised over $1,000 for the fundraiser. Over 20 people were in attendance and got to watch the dramatic presentation by Kerry Altenbernd as John Brown. The evening included appetizers and a raffle followed by the first Mayhew Cabin Freedom Award given to The Wirth Family Foundation for their outstanding support of the Mayhew Cabin.

October 28-G.A.R. Hall program
The Mayhew Cabin and Civil War Museum co-sponsored a program by local reenactor and Peru State College senior, Jarrett Willet. He gave an excellent presentation about the life of a Confederate soldier. The program had over 15 people in attendance.

October 13-14 Flea Market
The Mayhew Cabin hosted an outdoor Flea Market on October 13-14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event drew over 25 vendors and 500 people for the weekend. The historic will be hosting future flea markets on Arbor Day weekend (April) and AppleJack weekend (September) next year.

October 6-Nebraska City Civil War Reenactment
The Mayhew Cabin and the Lewis & Clark Center co-sponsored the Nebraska City Civil War Reenactment. It took place on Saturday October 6 with battles occurring at 10 a.m. & 2 p.m. There were over 35 reenactors involved with the event, which drew a crowd of over 300 people. This event is funded in part by the Otoe County Visitors Committee and Kropp Family Foundation.

June 23-JUNETEENTH Celebration
The Mayhew Cabin hosted its 7th annual Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 23. Juneteenth is the oldest known holiday that commemorates the end of American slavery. The event included Civil War reenactors, rope making demonstration, music from Calvin Phillips, and special visit from President U.S. Grant. A special film showing of Freedom Seekers took place that evening. Over people 80 were in attendance for the event and enjoyed all the programs.

May 3- Network to Freedom Panels-Ribbon Cutting
Nebraska's newest sites included in the Network to Freedom had outdoor panels installed. A ribbon cutting was held to commemorate the installation of these new panels on Thursday, May 3, at 12:30 p.m. at the Old Freighters Museum. Over 30 people were in attendance including representatives from NSHS, State Travel & Tourism, and the students from Arlington High School.

March 30-31-Freedom Seekers film showings in Lincoln
The Mayhew Cabin co-sponsored two film showings in Lincoln where people viewed the film Freedom Seekers. It is a documentary about the Underground Railroad in this region. Gary Jenkins and Jim Morgans both attended the showings and over 40 people heard about the history of the Underground Railroad in this region. Donations at the events went to the benefit of the Mayhew Cabin Foundation.

February 9-Black History Month Program
The Mayhew Cabin co-sponsored a Black History Month program with Black Student Union and Phi Alpha Theta at Peru State College on Thursday, February 9th, at 11 a.m. Over 40 people were in attendance, and enjoyed Mr. John Harris's first person impression of Frederick Douglass.

2011
PAST EVENTS/PROGRAMS

November 5-Nebraska City Civil War Reenactment
The Missouri River Basin Lewis & Clark Center (held on their grounds) and the Mayhew Cabin co-sponsored this event. It was a huge success with 40 re-enactors participating and at least 150 to 200 spectators in attendance. The public got to enjoy two battles throughout the day and watched the re-enactors portray the battle of Shiloh. The event was held as part of commemorating the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War and it was the first such event in Nebraska City in over 10 years. The Mayhew Cabin would like to thank Butch Bouvier and John Wilcox for all their hard work, time, and effort in preparing the food for the re-enactors. We would also like to thank Wal-Mart for helping fund the event, in part, with a "Local Community Funds" grant. Finally, a "thank you" to all the re-enactors, living history demonstrators, staff, and volunteers for making it a great event. All their time and effort is greatly appreciated.

September 10 COME JOIN US.
General U.S. Grant visits the Mayhew Cabin/John Brown's Cave the second of weekend of September. He will discuss his experience leading the Union army through the nation's great Civil War. The program is at 1 p.m. and is sponsored by the Nebraska Humanities Council (portrayal by Dr. Tom King).

June 25-JUNETEENTH Celebration
The Mayhew Cabin hosted its annual Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 25, from 12-5. Juneteenth is the oldest known holiday that commemorates the end of American slavery. The day will be filled with a variety of activities. They include Civil War skirmishes, living history demonstrations, musical programs, and historical speakers. Presenters include Civil War reenactors, Great Plains Black History Museum speaker, Christ Temple Church (Lincoln) Choir, Omaha Panthers Drill team, and many more. Come join us for our unique Juneteenth Celebration. Admission that day is a free-will donation.

May-September Otoe County Civil War Program Series
The Mayhew Cabin and several other organizations are going to host a series of programs to commemorate the 150th of the American Civil War.

April 14-15 Peru State College Undergraduate Conference -held at Peru State College campus. Topic: Trial of the Nation: American Civil War

May 23 "History of the 1st NE Infantry" by Paul Lahowitz. The program is hosted by the Nebraska City Historical Society at there monthly meeting. The presentation begins at 7:30 p.m. and is held at Arbor Bank (911 Central Av) in Nebraska City.

May 30 Otoe County Museum of Memories Ike Stewart Memorial Service. Ike was a former slave and Civil War veteran buried in Park Hill Cemetery in an unmarked grave The service will follow the Syracuse Legion Memorial Day program at Park Hill Cemetery on 17th Street in Syracuse at 11:00 a.m.

June4 Wildwood Historic House hosts "Joining the 1st NE" or reenactment of Nebraskans volunteering for the Union army in 1861. The program will be from 1:30-4:30 p.m. and located at 420 Steinhart Park Road. Come join the union army near Wildwood
July 10 Civil War Presentation titled "A Nation Divided" by Otoe County Museum of Memories at 1:00 p.m. in a tent at 6th and Chestnut in Syracuse

August 7 G.A.R. Hall/Civil War Veterans Museum hosts Dean Podoll. He will present "The Second Nebraska Cavalry and the Battle of Whitestone Hill" at 2 p.m. The museum is located at 910 1st Corso
 September 10 Dr. Tom King portrays General Grant at the Mayhew Cabin/John Brown's Cave the second of weekend of September. The program is at 1 p.m. and is sponsored by the Nebraska Humanities Council.

    2011
   PAST EVENTS

March 11-12 - Nebraska Network to Freedom Conference
The Mayhew Cabin and several other organizations sponsored the first Nebraska Network to Freedom Conference. Around 40 people attended the Friday evening reception at the G.A.R. Memorial Hall. The evening included a presentation of the Mayhew Cabin's National Register listing certificate.

The Saturday program included a full day of presentations about various aspects of the Underground Railroad in the region. 65 people were in attendance to enjoy the program and tour. The day ended with a nice meal at Brownville's Whiskey Creek Run winery. Finally, the event ended with a film showing by Gary Jenkins.

February 10-Black History Month program
The Mayhew Cabin and Black Student Union co-hosted a Black History Month on February 10, at 11 a.m. Bill Hayes, Director, presented  "The Story of the Mayhew Cabin: Nebraska's Underground Railroad." Mr. Hayes discussed various aspects of Nebraska's Underground Railroad history.

2010
PAST PROGRAMS

October 29- The Haunted Village
The Mayhew Cabin hosted a Halloween Event on Friday, October 29, from 6-8 p.m. Kids and adults enjoyed walking through the cave and visiting the "haunted village." The museum had over 40 people in attendance.

August 28- Public Auction
As part of the museum's deaccession, the site held a public auction on Saturday, August 28 at 10:30 A.M. Over 600 items were sold that day by the Brooke & Francis Auction Company. The entire sale went well with most attendees pleased with their purchases.

July 25- Membership Drive
Dr. Sara Crook portrayed Barbara Mayhew for the membership program. The Mayhew Cabin had several people become new members as part of the membership drive. Memberships are still available and you can become a member of the Mayhew Cabin museum at only $10 for one year or check for other levels.

July 21- Book Signing
C. LaRene Hall, author of Martha's Freedom Train, hosted a book signing at the museum. She was able to promote her book to local residents and share her story that the site was the inspiration for her work.

June 26- JUNETEENTH Celebration
The site hosted its annual Juneteenth event on Saturday, June 26th. J Civil War reenactors held several skirmishes throughout the day and Butch Bouvier discussed woodworking . Fred Nielsen of the Nebraska Humanities Council presented the program “Completing, Remembering, and Forgetting the Civil War," which informed people how difficult it was to make peace after the conflict. It was the most successful Juneteenth Celebration at the Mayhew Cabin to date with 110 people in attendance.

May 22-Grand Opening Ceremony
The museum held a ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate its new exhibits.  Over 35 people were in attendance for the ceremony including several dignitaries. Lieutenant Governor Rick Sheehy, Network to Freedom Grant Administrator (NPS) Mary Krause, and Nebraska State Historical Society Director Michael Smith each gave a few remarks about the important story the Mayhew Cabin tells and its relation to Nebraska history. Other honored guests included Senator Brenda Council, Arlene Easter and Nancy Lutz of the Wirth Family Foundation, and Otoe County Commissioner Rick Freshman. The public was impressed with the set up of the new exhibits, which focus on the history of slavery in America and the development of the Underground Railroad.

Ribbon cutting ceremony with Senator Council (left) and Lieutenant Governor Sheehy (right)

Jim Morgans spoke at successful fundraiser
Mr. James Morgans spoke on March 28th after the spaghetti feed. He highlighted the Underground Railroad on the western frontier and the commitment people had to fight slavery in the West. He has written two books available at Amazon or Barnes & Noble.
Mr. Morgans holding his book about John Todd

FEBRUARY 4 ,   Black History Month program
Linda & Thom Rosenblum gave a brief history of the Brown v. Board of Education decision.  The speakers were from the National Historic Site in Topeka, Kansas.
 -Sponsored by PSC's Phi Alpha Theta chapter & Black Student Union along with the Mayhew Cabin
Linda Rosenblum explained how the Brown decision was interpreted through editorial cartoons

HOURS & DIRECTIONS Where we are... Map? Click here!   Just minutes off I-29 and less than an hour from Lincoln,  Omaha and St. Joseph are close to home. Mayhew Cabin, the Historic Village and the John Brown Cave are open daily May through October. Join us Thursday through  Sunday from Noon- 5 pm. Additional times are available by appointment. Admission: Adults $3 & Children $1.

  PRESENTATIONS & TOURS AVAILABLE      
Traveling Presentations Available

Field Trip Information
The Mayhew Cabin is an excellent field trip opportunity for your school or group. Come walk through the 150-year-old cabin and see where history was made. A visit to our museum includes viewing the cabin & historic village with a guided tour explaining the Mayhew family's connection to the Underground Railroad.

 School Group Rates
 Students - $1 (this rate includes High School)
 Adults - $2 (all teachers/staff/parents)
Additional fee of $10 for tour guide

PHOTOS FROM PAST PROGRAMS & EVENTS

 OCTOBER 16-18  Harper's Ferry, West Virginia
Actor Danny Glover visits the traveling exhibit & Mayhew family


Harper's Ferry 150th-John Brown's Fort


Mayhew Cabin's Traveling Exhibit debut at Harper's Ferry  

GIVE TODAY! ▪ 2012 4th Corso, Nebraska City, NE 68410 ▪ (402) 873-3115 ▪ Bill Hayes, Director