Memory Lane Museum
Take a nostalgic stroll through the historic main street at Memory Lane. The Memory Lane Museum on Eldora Avenue was built by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) Prairie Lodge, No. 25 in 1888 to replace the original 1882 building which burned in December of 1887. The building sustained damage in another fire in 1889, which originated in the adjoining Sackett & Gates Hardware store. The IOOF occupied the south end of the top floor, and many businesses occupied the lower floors through the years including Michelsen’s Variety Store, Art Meeske’s Gambles store before moving across the street, and finally, the Weeping Water Republican Newspaper. In 1990, Bill & Doris Duff purchased the building from IOOF and later donated it to the city to be used as a museum. Thanks to funds from the Day Foundation and volunteer efforts, the storefront and interior were restored and in 1993 the museum was opened.
Memory Lane features displays and memorabilia cataloging the business interests of Weeping Water from the time the town was established. A diorama of the downtown businesses, built by the UNL School of Architecture includes pull-out drawers showing the occupants through the years. The Wilkinson Confectionery soda fountain was moved from next door, and a restored counter from Gibson Grocery is featured in the General Store display. The ladder designed to reach the high shelves was once used in the store across the street, as were the building’s front doors which were donated by the Meeske family.
See a turn-of-the-century barbershop with a chair and cabinet that once belonged to Avoca barber Elmer “Barb” Hennings, along with some of the items used by longtime Weeping Water barber Harold “Buff” Harmon. You’ll also find cemetery records, Weeping Water advertising collectibles, postcards, old yearbooks, and town records at Memory Lane.
In the rear of the building, you’ll also find Kevin Brack’s personal collection of movie & tv, music, sports, and political memorabilia on display. Kevin began collecting celebrity memorabilia in 1995 and has amassed quite a collection which he rotates often, including a stage-worn dresses from Dolly Parton, Shelley Long, and Joan Fontaine, an autographed guitars from Willie Nelson and Taylor Swift, and sports memorabilia from Troy Aiken, Joe Montana, and others.
Memory Lane is located at 215 West Eldora Avenue.
