BANNER COUNTY MUSEUM COMPLEX
200 N. Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Nebraska

  

      BUILDINGS












     OTHER

CHURCH   

This building was constructed in the 1880's by a group of homesteaders in the Kiowa Precinct of Scotts Buff County, who cut and sawed the framing lumber from trees in the nearby Wildcat Hills.  Volunteers hauled the needed finishing materials by team and wagon from Kimball, over 60+ miles of prairie trails. When the congregation disbanded in the late 1890's, Harrisburg was booming and needed a building for worship.  The Kiowa church was purchased, loaded on four lumber wagons and, with 10 head of horses, hauled over 36 miles of prairie trails to Harrisburg. The trek took three days.  

After several years this Methodist congregation also disbanded and the church building was sold for a country store.  Later it was used as a home and then abandoned to the elements.  Finally, the owner donated the building and the lot to the Society and in 1976, as a Bi-Centennial project, 32 Banner County families each donated $100 for restoration. A unique plaque inside the front door lists the names of these benefactors.  The plaque is made with square nails, lath and wainscoting from the original structure.              

Museum Open House will be Saturday, June 12, 2010