Hastings Museum
Founded in 1927, Hastings Museum is the largest municipal museum between Chicago and Denver. Featuring a Theatre with a 70-foot wide screen and large domed Planetarium, we house dozens of animal species set in their natural habitats, allowing you to get an up close look at many amazing creatures!
We also chronicle the history of the early inhabitants of the Nebraska plains, from paleo-Indians to euro-Americans, while providing a look back at the creatures that used to roam this area and swim in Cretaceous Sea. Of course you'll also discover how Kool-Aid, the famous soft drink invented in Hastings, came to be such a success.
Hastings Museum, accredited by the American Association of Museums, connects people to the world - and universe - through educational programs, exhibits and films, and inspires greater public respect for and understanding of our past and future.
We bring you life up close!
Hastings Museum's Planetarium dates back to September 12, 1958, when the Museum presented its first shows to the public.
The Planetarium was built with funds generously provided by the J.M. McDonald Foundation. The Museum was so appreciative of the contribution that the planetarium is officially named the J.M. McDonald Planetarium.
Please feel free to contact Museum staff, check out Museum hours and admission fees and discover what's showing in our digital Theatre. Of course, we'd love to have you as a member, too!
Notable dates in the history of Hastings Museum
June 8, 1926: A Museum Committee is formed and soon petitions the city for space to build in Highland Park - but the city could not afford to construct a building.
January 9, 1927: The first Museum opens in the Hawthorne school building.
April 17, 1932: Needing more space, the Museum moves to the Morton school building.
June 15, 1939: Hastings Museum opens in a new building at its current location. The original space was built with the assistance of WPA grants received in 1937.
September 11, 1958: Hastings Museum's planetarium opens, the construction of which was made possible by the J.M. McDonald Foundation.
January 14, 1972: A $342,000 contract was signed to build the Museum's second addition. Fundraising for the addition began in 1968 and was headed by Stanley Abbott.
May 21, 1985: A third addition along the north side of the building opened. It included two storage rooms for the collection and a children's interactive center.
January 11, 1991: The Museum announced plans for the addition of a large screen theatre to present films. The original system was IMAX but it was switched to MegaSystems in 2001, which also allowed the showing of Hollywood-type movies.
March 20, 2009: The Planetarium opens after undergoing a dome upgrade and the addition of a full dome projector. The project was supported by the J.M. McDonald Foundation and the Hastings Museum Foundation.
August 8, 2011: Hastings Museum announced it had achieved accreditation from the American Association of Museums (AAM), the highest national recognition for a museum.
October 25, 2011: An upgraded Theatre opens, complete with a new screen and the latest in digital projection technology, including the ability to show films and movies in 3D. The project was supported by the Hastings Museum Foundation.
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