General Crook House Museum

GENERAL CROOK HOUSE MUSEUM

The Museum is the authentically restored home of General George Crook.  It was constructed in 1879 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

General Crook was a Civil War and National Indian Wars hero and was considered the “greatest Indian fighter in the history of the United States.’’  At the landmark 1879 trial of the Ponca Chief Standing Bear, General Crook testified in defense of Standing Bear.  He was the Commander of the Department of the Platte from 1875 to 1882 and again from 1886 to 1888.

The house is an Italianate style, which represented the no-nonsense grandeur of the military frontier.  The furnishings are from the 1880 Victorian period.

Collections at this living history museum include decorative arts, costumes, art & crafts and period furnishings.  Classes and a reference collection on the history and appreciation of antiques are available.

VICTORIAN HEIRLOOM GARDEN

Adjoining the Museum is the Crook House Victorian Heirloom Garden, which overlooks the majestic parade ground and historic buildings of Historic Fort Omaha.  Many of the more than 110 varieties of heirloom flowers, trees and shrubs are native to Nebraska. Some plants were originally carried here on wagon trains or were available by mail order catalog in the 1880s.  Perennials surround four central “carpet beds” of annuals, patterned like an Oriental rug to create an outside parlor where many hours would have been spent to capture the cool breezes. Our thanks to Kinghorn Gardens for designing and maintaining the gardens.

AFTERNOON TEAS AT THE CROOK HOUSE

The General Crook House Museum hosts teas for members or guests. Tea aficionado Mona Christensen prepares tea and treats — all are fresh and homemade. Guest may choose from a proper afternoon tea, a dessert tea or a cream tea. Click on the bar below for descriptions of the types of teas. Teas must be booked at least three weeks in advance and number of guests confirmed four days prior to the event. Call Barb Miller at 455-9990 for reservations.

MUSEUM GIFT SHOP

Stop on the second floor and visit the Crook House Museum Book Store, where you will find one of the largest selections of books by and about Nebraskans anywhere in the area. The Museum shop also offers a unique collection of videos, guides and memorabilia about local history, pioneer life, Indian military history and more.

Hours:

The Museum is open to the public Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.

Guided tours for groups are available by appointment.

Admission:	$5.00 adults ($6 mid-November through December), $3.00 children ages 6-12, $4.00 students, free for members of the Society. (Prices may be higher for special exhibits)

The Museum is available for private functions such as weddings, receptions or teas.

Contact Barb at 402-455-9990, to arrange tours or private functions.  
or house@omahahistory.org