Chimney Rock Museum — Attraction in Bayard

Chimney Rock Museum is a museum located in Bayard, Nebraska, United States. It is dedicated to the history of the Chimney Rock National Historic Site, a natural rock formation that served as a landmark for settlers traveling westward on the Oregon, California, and Mormon trails during the mid-19th century.

The museum was founded in 1954 by the Bayard Chamber of Commerce and has been run by the Nebraska State Historical Society since 1977. It is housed in a building that was originally constructed as a school in 1885 and was later used as a hospital and a nursing home before being converted into a museum.

The museum features exhibits on the history of the Chimney Rock National Historic Site, including its geological formation, its use as a landmark for pioneers, and its role in the development of the American West. The exhibits include artifacts and photographs from the 19th and early 20th centuries, as well as interactive exhibits and educational materials.

One of the highlights of the museum is the film "Chimney Rock: A Landmark in History," which provides a history of the rock formation and its significance to the settlers who traveled westward on the Oregon, California, and Mormon trails. The film is shown in the museum's auditorium and is accompanied by a narrated tour of the museum's exhibits.

The museum also has a gift shop that sells souvenirs and other items related to the history of Chimney Rock and the American West. The gift shop offers a variety of items, including books, toys, and clothing, as well as Native American jewelry and other items made by local artisans.

In addition to its exhibits and gift shop, the Chimney Rock Museum also hosts a variety of special events throughout the year, including lectures, workshops, and educational programs. These events are designed to provide visitors with a deeper understanding of the history of Chimney Rock and the role it played in the development of the American West.

Overall, the Chimney Rock Museum is a unique and educational destination that offers visitors the opportunity to learn about the history of one of the most iconic landmarks in the American West. Whether you are a history buff or just looking for a fun and interesting way to spend a day, the Chimney Rock Museum is well...

Ultimately the visitors center is nice and very well cared for. However it did seem a little cash grabby.

There is an admission price of 8 dollars for adults. We decided that rather than pay the price of admission we would stop by and pick up information on the site and get a different angle on a nearby road.

The curator, who was very professional, noted they did not have pamphlets to give us. We asked, “if we take the nearby road does it get closer to the rock”. She responded “it will take you to a cemetery and it might be a little closer but not significantly”.

When we took the rode we saw a much clearer, natural view, unimpeded by a gift shop. As well we saw many original headstones from the 1900’s and before. First picture is a view from the parking lot of the visitors center and the second is the view from...

Very nice location. Worth a visit if you're around that area. We drove specially to visit this place as it's picture is imprinted on a quarter. Felt very special to be here. The visitor center was closed for renovation. Chimney rock looks extra beautiful around sunset so evening will be a great time to visit (may be the mornings too if the views are interesting that time) However be very careful at this place because there's rattlesnakes warning everywhere around this area. We got out of our car for very little time took pictures and quickly came inside as we didn't want to take any risk (also because it was evening time) The surroundings are really gorgeous too. We even got to witness the most colorful and unforgettable sunset. The sky colors were glowing. A must visit place...