2026 Nebraska Museums Association Conference & Annual Meeting

April 13-14, 2026
Hosted by the Gage County Historical Society, Beatrice, Nebraska
Call for Speakers
We are officially accepting applications for proposals for our 2026 Nebraska Museums Association (NMA) Conference. Please use this form to submit your proposal. If you would prefer to use our paper version (see below), please email NMA Board President April White at [email protected].
We are currently accepting proposals now through January 31, 2026. Those selected will be notified by email no later than Monday, February 23, 2026.
Our annual conference is an excellent opportunity for us to reunite with familiar friends and colleagues, as well as networking and making new connections. Our 2026 conference theme is “Connected by Culture, United by History” – it speaks to the shared culture and experiences that are unique to Nebraska museums and adjacent organizations. 2026 is also the 250th anniversary of the United States, so its the perfect time to celebrate our collective history, and contemplate the dedication of preserving history that so many of us do day in and day out. Now, we ask YOU to submit your proposals for the sessions and workshops that will make our 2026 conference a success.
2026 NMA Conference Details and Info:
When: April 13-14, 2026 (with special kickoff event the evening of Sunday, April 12th)
Where: Beatrice, Nebraska, hosted by the Gage County Historical Society and Museum
Website: https://www.nebraskamuseums.org/conference-and-annual-meeting/
Contact: April White, NMA Board President, [email protected], (308) 865-8284
2026 Schedule Highlights
Sunday, April 12
Sunday Evening Kickoff Event (5:00 pm-7:00 pm)
Tall Tree Tastings Winery with History Bingo. Meet your NMA Board and Area Reps. Food and Bingo provided by Gage County Historical Society. Attendees pay for their own wine/drinks. MAX CAPACITY: 50
Monday, April 13





Morning Workshop: TBA
Afternoon: Tours
- Cortland, Nebraska, is located north on Highway 77. The tour will start at the Cortland Museum, built in 1883, one of the oldest buildings in the city of Cortland. The tour will include a visit to the museum, featuring a slideshow that showcases photos from our glass negative collection, as well as a walking tour of the town. This is the hometown of Nebraska Volleyball Head Coach Dani Busboom Kelly. The tour is on Monday from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Max capacity for the tour is 30 people.
- Great Plains Welsh Heritage Centre and Archive for Welsh America is located at 307 S 7th St, Wymore, NE. This is the only facility of its kind in the country, featuring unique Welsh-American artifacts and rare Welsh-language documents. The tour will start at the Great Plains Welsh Heritage Center. Followed by a tour of the Welsh District 81 one-room school, and the Wymore Burlington Railroad Depot Museum. Wymore was one of the significant branches on the Burlington line in Nebraska for a century. A simple Afternoon Tea with Welsh Cakes will be made available for all those who sign up. The tour is on Monday from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Max capacity for the tour is 50 people.
- Otoe-Missouria Reservation was located in Southern Gage County from 1854 to 1881. This tour will give you a glimpse of the location of their village, the site where they wintered, and the Barneston Cemetery, where a burial marker for the tribal deceased has been placed. The Tour will be led by a Gage County Historian from the Historical Society and members of the Otoe-Missouria Tribe. The bus tour will depart on Monday from the Gage County Historical Society at 1:30 pm and return to the museum around 3:30 pm. The max capacity for the tour is 30 people.
- Explore Gage County on Your Own
- Elijah Filley Stone Barn is located at 13282 E Scott Rd, Filley, NE. This barn, over 150 years old, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the tallest limestone barn in the state of Nebraska. Artifacts from the family will be on display inside the barn. A 10-minute history of the barn will be given on the hour at 1, 2, & 3 o’clock. The barn is open on Monday from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
- Tri-County Oregon Trail Marker is one mile west of Lanham, Nebraska, which straddles the state line. Please do not use Google Maps, as it will take you to the park in Lanham. The Tri-County Oregon Trail Marker designates the place where the Oregon Trail entered Nebraska from Kansas. It is the only place in Nebraska where you are standing on the state line and in three separate counties. You are welcome to visit the site at your convenience throughout the conference.
- Homestead National Historical Park is located at 8523 NE-4, Beatrice, NE. This is the location of the first homestead in the United States, Daniel Freeman. Conference attendees will be greeted at Homestead’s Heritage Center for a brief welcome talk and film introduction. They can then explore the Heritage Center’s museum exhibits, historic structures, 160-acre restored prairie, and special pop-up stations at their leisure. The park will be open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Monday and Tuesday during the conference.
- Gage County Historical Society is at 101 N. Second Street, Beatrice, Nebraska. The Society preserves the history of the county inside the 1906 CB&Q Passenger Depot Station. The depot station is listed on the National Register of Historical Places and is located on the site of the trial of Wild Bill Hickock for the murders at Rock Creek Station. The museum and gift shop will be open Monday and Tuesday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm during the conference.
Welcome Night
- Welcome Night Reception at Red Barn Farm. Casual appetizers provided and cash bar available, all who register for the Welcome Night Reception will receive one free drink ticket.
Tuesday, April 14
Sessions, Keynote Speaker, and Annual Meeting
Registration and Continental Breakfast begins at 8:00 am at Southeast Community College.
- 8:30am – 9:30am: Concurrent Sessions 1
- 9:30am – 9:45am: Break
- 9:45am – 10:45am: Concurrent Sessions 2
- 10:45am – 11:00am: Break and Last Chance for Raffle
- 11:00am – 11:45am: Keynote Speaker
- 11:45am – 1:15pm: Annual NMA Business Meeting. Lunch provided by SCC. Announce Raffle Winners.
- 1:30pm – 2:30pm: Concurrent Sessions 3
- 2:30pm – 2:45pm: Break
- 2:45pm – 3:45pm: Concurrent Sessions 4
- 3:45pm – 4:00pm: Silent Auction Last Call
- 4:00pm – 4:30pm: Thank You’s and Announce Silent Auction Winners and Next Year’s Conference
- 6:00pm: Post Conference Hangout at Stone Hallow Brewery, 301 Court St., Beatrice, NE (optional)
NMA Conference and Annual Meeting
- NMA Conference Discounted Price: $129.00 (taxes not included)
- Discount Code: Coming Soon!!!
- Group name: Gage County Historical Society & Museum
- 4005 N 6th St, Beatrice, NE 68310
- (402) 228-7000
- https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/beatrice/bcene/hoteldetail?cm_mmc=GoogleMaps-_-EX-_-US-_-BCENE
- 1447 W Hackberry Rd, Beatrice, NE 68310
- (402) 228-8938
- https://www.hackberrybnb.com/
Capri Inn and Suites
- 3721 North 6th Street, Beatrice, NE 68310
- (402) 228-8808
- https://capricomfort.com/
My Place Hotel
- 4031 North 6th Street, Beatrice, Nebraska 68310
- (402) 806-4640
- https://www.myplacehotels.com/locations/my-place-hotel-beatrice-ne
Victorian Inn
- 903 North 6th Street, Beatrice, NE 68310
- 402-228-5955
- https://www.victorianinnhotels.com/
Conference Raffle
Proceeds for the Raffle will benefit the NMA Disaster Relief Grant. Tickets will be available for purchase at the conference.
Winners will be announced at the end of the Conference. Must be present to win.
Questions contact [email protected].
Silent Auction
Donating items to the NMA Conference Silent Auction helps promote your museum and fund the NMA Disaster Relief Grant.
What can you donate to the Silent Auction:
~A basket of goodies from your gift shop
~Your favorite Nebraska History book or cookbook
~A free pass to your museum
~Items that showcase the mission of your Museum
~SWAG!
Bring your items to the conference registration table where you will fill out a bid sheet and find out where to display your treasure for attendees to bid on during the conference. Must be present to win.
Want to participate in the bidding? Get your number at the registration table. All that’s left to do is make sure you bring cash, credit, or your checkbook.
Questions contact [email protected].
Future NMA Conference Locations:
l2027 – High Plains Historical Society, McCook, Nebraska
















