2026 Nebraska Museums Association Conference & Annual Meeting
April 13-14, 2026
Hosted by the Gage County Historical Society, Beatrice, Nebraska
Meet the 2026 Keynote Speaker: Melea Hoffman
My Name is Tse-sa-ru-ra-ka-ri-ku, My English name is Melea Hoffman and I am a
member of the Otoe-Missouria and Pawnee Tribes. I am Beaver clan, I am the daughter
of Georgia and Ralph Hoffman and I come from the William Atkins and Sam Carson
families. I hold a degree in cultural Anthropology, I use it to teach and share Otoe-
Missouria history and culture. I graduated from the University of Oklahoma. I am a
researcher and author. I serve as a member of the National Native American Boarding
School Healing Coalition, and on an advisory committee for the Walking in the
Footsteps of our Ancestors project. I have had the honor of being a cultural consultant
for Nova. I’m an avid collector be it antiques, relics, fossils and mini pottery. My
passions are studying the history of the Otoe-Missouria people, reading, and spending
time with my animals on my small farm.
Melea will be speaking on Tuesday, April 14 at 11am.
Monday, April 13 Morning Workshops
Living Museums: Preserving Cultural Memory Through Embodied Traditions with Mallika Madduri
Museums increasingly seek ways to preserve living heritage alongside objects and archives. This interactive workshop explores how embodied traditions—such as classical Indian dance, ritual movement, and oral transmission—function as living repositories of history, philosophy, and community memory. Drawing from community-based cultural education models in Nebraska, the session demonstrates how movement, rhythm, and storytelling can activate history for contemporary audiences. Participants will gain practical strategies for collaborating with cultural practitioners, engaging youth as cultural interpreters, and reimagining museums as spaces where history is experienced, not just displayed.
Mallika Madduri is a Nebraska-based Bharatanatyam artist, educator, and recipient of the Nebraska State Heritage Arts Award. She is Founder and Artistic Director of Gurukulam Center for Indian Arts and a founding leader of Omaha Sanātana Kendra, advancing community-based cultural education, youth leadership, and preservation of intangible heritage through performance.
Improving Interpretive/Guided Tours at Museums with Alyssa Smith
If you or your site provide guided tours, have interpretive programs, or just want to be more comfortable interacting with the public, then this is the session for you! In this workshop, we will learn about the visitors who come through our sites, how to make tours more engaging, and practice interpreting history. This workshop is hands-on, so be prepared to practice and improve your skills. At the conclusion of the workshop, you will have a better understanding of current best practices in interpretive tours and have the tools to begin implementing them at your site.
Alyssa Smith has 10 years of museum experience, holds degrees in Psychology and History, an M.A. in Material Culture and Textile Studies, and a Certificate of Interpretive Guiding through NAI. She has taught historical interpretation for the past 5 years and has experience creating and implementing interpretive programming.
Gage County History Tours
Monday, April 13
The Gage County Historical Society and Museum is the starting point for the tours. Starting at noon, they are handing out snack bags for your adventure. The carpool to Cortland and Wymore leaves the museum around 12:30 pm. The bus tour for the Otoe-Missouria Reservation leaves at 1:30 from the museum.
We have arranged for tour guides at each location except at the Tri-County Oregon Trail Marker. Tours for Cortland, the Otoe-Missouria Reservation, and the Great Plains Welsh Heritage are limited. Sign-up was required during conference registration. If you need instructions on how to get anywhere, please call Cassandra Dean, the director of the Gage County Historical Society and Museum, at 402-418-1502.
1:00-4:00 pm: Cortland Museum Tour
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.
1:00-4:00 pm: Great Plains Welsh Heritage Centre and Archive for Welsh America
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.
1:30-3:30 pm: Otoe-Missouria Reservation
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. $10 per person bus fee.
12:30-4:30: 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.
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
Workshops, Tours, and Welcome Night
| 8:00am-4:30pm | Registration and Continental Breakfast at Southeast Community College, 4771 W. Scott Road, Beatrice, Nebraska |
| 8:30am-11:00am | Workshops |
| 11:00am-12:30pm | Lunch on your own |
| 12:30pm-4:30pm | Gage County History Tours |
| 5:30pm-8:00pm | 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
| 8:00am-11:00am | Registration and Continental Breakfast at Southeast Community College, 4771 W. Scott Road, Beatrice, Nebraska |
| 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: Melea Hoffman |
| 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: HSM
- Under Rate Preference, click the drop-down menu
- Select Group Rate
- Enter the Group Rate Code: HSM
- Click search at the top right
- The Gage County Historical Society & Museum rates will populate
- If the code does not work, please call the Holiday Inn in Beatrice, (402) 228-7000
- Discount Code: HSM
- 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
- Hackberry Bed & Breakfast is offering 25% discount to NMA Attendees and will honor military discounts.
- 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:
2027 – High Plains Historical Society, McCook, Nebraska
