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Stuhr family home travels to new museum location
It's been a project two years in the making. Finally, the original Stuhr family home is on its way to its final resting place. The cabin is moving from city land across from the Swift meat packing plant to the Stuhr Museum.
News 5's Lauren Conley followed the caravan of people Tuesday helping bring the home to the museum. It's not quite there on Stuhr property yet. The cabin was transported about 5 miles Tuesday. But, State Patrol has asked that it be transported down Highway 281 during a low traffic time. That will be tomorrow at 5:00 am. As the wheels on this truck turn, they're moving a key piece of Hall County history. "It's one of the first structures that was in Hall County when the town company came out to establish Grand Island," said Stuhr Museum Executive Director Joe Black. The cabin was home to Peter and Anna Stuhr - original settlers of Grand Island back in 1852. "The following year settlers went out and did squatters rights on their 160 acres, but Peter and Anna retained, stayed at the same site," said Hall County Historical Society Vice President Don Deitemeyer. While Peter and Anna brought the family to Hall County, it's their son, Leo, that we know best. "Up until his death, he was very instrumental in promotion and growth of Grand Island," said Deitemeyer. Leo Stuhr helped found the Hall County Historical Society and the Stuhr Museum. The very two groups that are now saving his home. "We just figured it was natural to get his cabin, it's actually where he grew up," Deitemeyer said. "It tells the story of coming out to this part of Nebraska and turning it into, taking those first steps into what Grand Island and Doniphan and Cairo, all those places have become today," said Black. The cabin will sit in Railroad Town. The 1890's replica town is part of the Stuhr Museum. "It gives us another place to engage visitors and gives us one more piece of history, that tangible history," said Black. This home was still in use up until a few years ago. It will be restored to its turn of the century persona. "Asphalt shingles are better than wooden shingles, but it's not what they would have had in 1890," said Black. It's a small way to preserve the birthplace of not just Leo Stuhr, but the very roots of Grand Island history. "The house could have very well been destroyed, but we've had a lot of good people who have come forward to preserve this home," Deitemeyer said. The Stuhr Museum could not accept the home without a $50,000 endowment. This is to help preserve the building for the future. The Hall County Historical Society stepped in and helped raise those funds. |
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