Preserve the Past… For the Future
The Cuming County Historical Society Museum Complex is made up of several buildings filled with historical displays. The Complex consist of the 1904 Chicago Northwestern Depot; Union Pacific caboose; St. Matthew’s Church; District #34 one-room schoolhouse built in 1912; Dinklage Heritage Museum; and Tractor & Antique Machinery Building. The Museum Complex is cared for by the Cuming County Historical Society and Cuming County Agricultural Society.
BIG RED BARN
1919 horse barn featuring a 50-foot-tall hip roof. This unique design allowed the barn to be built without support poles.
In 2014, the barn was moved 18 miles from southwest Cuming County to the fairgrounds. The barn was restored and painted in traditional red and white.
Mary Ann & the late Norbert Ruskamp family donated this horse barn.
DEPOT
The Chicago Northwestern Depot was built in 1904 and moved to the present location on the Fairgrounds in August, 1975. When entering the Depot, visitors view a kitchen with exhibits used in Cuming County homes in the early 1900s. Items have been donated with some on loan. The Depot galleries feature lifestyle exhibits of the past.
UNION PACIFIC CABOOSE
In June 1990, the Union Pacific Railroad caboose was donated and moved to the fairgrounds. The caboose has its original interior. Bring your quarters to start the model railroad that was added in 1992.
ST. MATTHEW’S CHURCH
ST. MATTHEW’S CHURCH
St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church was located south of Wisner and closed its doors in the 1990s. In January 1996, the country church was added to the Cuming County Historical Museum Complex. In settling Cuming County, worship was important to the people and still is today. Every year during the Cuming County Fair a non-denominational service is held in the Church on Sunday morning.
DINKLAGE & CUMING COUNTY HERITAGE MUSEUM & ANTIQUE TRACTOR MUSEUM
The Museums feature the progress from horse drawn equipment to the gas engine driven cars and tractors. Many horse drawn pieces of farm machinery have been donated to the Museum. On display are several tractors including a 1919 Case. A car built in 1922 at the old Ford plant in Omaha and purchased by Raymond Johnson of Cuming County for $900.00 is also on display.