Boys Town was founded in 1917 by Father Edward J. Flanagan. It is dedicated to the care, treatment, and education of at-risk children. The village was made famous by the 1938 award-winning movie “Boys Town,” staring Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney.Father Flanagan’s house.Father Flanagan statueCatholic chapelRear of the chapelScene where the boy Jesus taught the Jewish religious leaders.The tomb of Father FlanaganThis garden has many flowers, shrubs and trees that are referenced in the Bible.Christ’s ThornBurning BushProtestant chapel.
This museum on the University of Nebraska campus is very well worth a visit. Fascinating collection of actual prehistoric fossils, many of them found in Nebraska.Giant Beaver, found in Sheridan County NEPeccary, found in Franklin County NESaber-Toothed Cat, found in the La Brea Tar Pits CADire Wolf, found in the La Brea Tar Pits CAGround Sloth, found in Garden County NEChilocothere, found in Sioux County NEThree-Toed Horse, found in Cherry County NEAncient Pronghorns, found in Cherry County NEShort-Legged Rhinoceros, found in Brown County NEProd Tusker, found in Webster County NELong-Jawed Tusker, found in Cherry County NE. These elephants lacked tusks in the lower jaw, indicating they may have had flexible lower lips.Stegomastodon, found in Morrill County NEAmerican Mastodon, found in IndianaJefferson’s Mammoth, found in Illinois.Imperial Mammoth, found in Lincoln County NEImperial Mammoth, for scale.Long-Limbed Rhino, found in Morrill County NEShort-Legged Rhino, found in Brown County NEGiant Rhinoceros, found in Banner County NEFossil Horse, found in Sheridan County NEGiant Camel, found in Garden County NE. It was the largest species of camel to ever live.Titanothere, found in the Nebraska BadlandsApatosaurus thigh bone, found in WyomingThis Mountain Lion was struck and killed by traffic in 2005 on I-80 between Lincoln and Omaha. Examination of its claws indicate it had travelled from the Black Hills in South Dakota, along the Missouri or Elkhorn Rivers.
And there is much, much more to see at this museum!
Memorial Stadium, home of the Huskers.Coach Tom Osborne and quarterbackMueller Bell Tower. This is a pretty neat bell tower. In addition to chiming on the hour, and half hour, it chimes music during the day.Johnny Carson was an alumnus of the University of Nebraska.He generously contributed financially to the university over the years.Replica of his “Carnac the Magnificent” turban.This is a stainless steel tree! Pretty cool! Created by Roxie Paine in 2004. Paine has created several stainless steel trees that are displayed throughout the US.The University of Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory is the officially designated tractor testing station for the United States and tests tractors according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development codes. We knew about this by watching the Nebraska episode of Aerial America. While we were at the test track, they tested two tractors.
This is a beautiful capitol inside and out. It was completed in 1932.The Sower, on top of the 400 foot tall tower. The figure is modeling the traditional method of hand sowing grain. The sculpture is 19-1/2 feet tall and weighs 9-1/2 tons. It was raised to the top of the Capitol in 1930.Abraham Lincoln statue, with the Gettysburg Address inscribed on the wall.Rotunda on the ground floor.The prehistoric life of Nebraska winds around Soil, Water, Fire and Air under the rotunda.The floor mosaic in the vestibule represents “Cosmic Energy”.Ceiling in the vestibule.In the vestibule are three James Penney’s murals created in 1964. This one is “The Homesteader’s Campfire”.“The First Furrow”“The House Raising”In the foyer, Venetian glass wall murals depict the Past, Present and Future Life on the Plains. This is “The United States Survey”.“The Blizzard of 1888”“Tree Planting”“The Coming of the Railroad”“The Spirit of Nebraska”“The Building of the Capitol”Senate chamber. Nebraska is the only state with a single legislative chamber (unicameral).Nebraska State Supreme CourtThe 14th floor rotunda (top of the tower). This area is called the Memorial Chamber.The murals in the Memorial Chamber represent the work of society to achieve virtue and noble life. Labors of the head, hand and heart. This mural is The Ideal of International Law.The Peril of FireThe Ideal of Freedom.The Scourge of PovertyThe Scourge of PlagueThe Ideal of Self-DeterminationThe Scourge of Famine
Harry S Truman, our 33rd President, was born in Missouri in 1884. He became president upon Franklin D. Roosevelt’s death on April 12, 1945. He was elected on his own as president in 1948, and served until 1953.President Truman greets you as you enter the museum.Truman served in World War I as Captain.After the war, Truman opened a men’s clothing store in downtown Kansas City.Harry and Bess’ wedding announcement.Truman served in the Senate from 1935 until he became Vice President in 1945.This is the Bible that was used when Truman was sworn into office as President.Interestingly, as Vice President, Truman had only met with President Roosevelt twice prior to FDR’s death, and Truman was totally unaware of the atomic bomb the US had been developing. He made the decision to drop the bombs on Japan, ending World War II.Letter written on rice paper from President Chiang Kai-shek of the Republic of China to President Truman.After the war, our attention turned to the developing threat from Communist Soviet Union.With the Soviet blockade of West Berlin, President Truman ordered supplies dropped in via airplane, the “Berlin Airlift”, delivering billions of pounds of food and supplies to the people.On May 14, 1948, the state of Israel declared itself an independent nation. President Truman issued a “de facto” recognition of the new state. In 1949, following the first elections in Israel, the US officially recognized them as a nation.Ancient pottery vessels gifted to Truman. The footed vase dates from 2000 to 1800 BC. The rounded base pitcher dates from the time of the Jewish Kings 1000 to 800 BC. The long-necked cruet served as a wine decanter in the first century AD.Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion gifted this menorah to President Truman in 1951, It dates back to at least 1767, when it was donated to a synagogue in Germany.Because of low approval numbers, much of America was sure Truman would lose the election of 1948, so much so that some newspapers printed the headlines before the results were in!Many of President Truman’s Square Deal programs were not enacted into law.Korea became hot.We went to war in Korea. President Truman skirted the Constitutional requirement for Congress to declare war by calling the war “police action”. Congress has not declared war since World War II, even though our military has been at war numerous times. This precedent started with the Korean War.President Truman’s most famous quote.The Truman’s White House china.President Truman spent time at the “Truman Little White House” in Key West FL.Exact replica of President Truman’s Oval Office.The stages of Truman’s life…1950 Lincoln Cosmopolitan used during the Truman administration.Truman’s post-presidency office.President Harry and First Lady Bess Truman’s graves.
