The mission of the Gage County Historical Society is to preserve, enhance, and showcase the unique history of Gage County by connecting our stories to develop appreciation throughout the wider community.
Gage County's Big Give Gage
Begins September 11, 2025
Big Give Gage kicks off its 2025 campaign on September 11, 2025 with early online giving starting on September 4th, 2025.
The Gage County Historical Society and Museum will be preserving a 33-star, hand-sewn American Flag. It has 33 stars, 11 stripes, and an eagle. It measures 12 feet by 8 feet. The flag was made for the state of Oregon's entry as the 33rd state to the union. It was used from July 4th, 1859 until July 3rd, 1861. Our goal is to raise $12,000 to cover the cost of preservation work, travel and materials to display during our 2026 Summer Exhibit.
So far we have raised $7,704 through Big Give Gage!
Please help use to preserve this national treasure by donating to Big Give Gage and specifying the Gage County Historical Society and Museum as the recipient.
Download the flyer for more details.
Coming Soon!
Cottage Hill Outdoor Classroom
The Gage County Historical Society has received funding from the Visitor Improvement Fund, provided by Gage County Tourism, to begin construction on the Cottage Hill Outdoor Classroom at the Filley Stone Barn!
For the past four years, the Society has raised funds of $26,032, half of the $52,064 needed to build this facility. The Visitor Improvement Fund will supply the other half. Final preparations are made to move forward with the building process.
The size of the classroom is 20’X50’ with a seating capacity of 48-50. It will have a pitched roof like the roof design of the barn to provide shade. It will incorporate electricity into the classroom for late-night programs.
Sketch of Cottage Hill Outdoor Classroom
Location of Cottage Hill Classroom at the Filley Stone Barn Complex.
In the coming days, there will begin the laying of concrete and the installation of electrical lines. This spring, expect to see new exhibits and signage being installed both inside and around the classroom. There will be a lot of activity on-site over the next six months, so the Society kindly asks that you exercise caution when visiting.
Beginning the Summer of 2026, the Gage County Historical Society and Museum will host 1/2-day summer camps for children in 3rd –6th grade. These camps will be geared toward the history and agriculture of the area. The future space will be available for school and family reunions.
Keep an eye out for our winter exhibit:
"50th Anniversary of Community Players"
From November 25 - March 26, visit us as we will have on display a variety of items commemorating the 50th anniversary of Community Players. The Community Players is a Beatrice based multiple award winning theater company that provides live performances, workshops and educational opportunities for Gage county (and beyond ) residents.
In sponsorship by Community Players
Help Restore the Historic 1906 CB&Q Burlington Depot
The last major masonry work on the 1906 CB&Q Burlington Depot was completed in the 1990s. Since then, decades of Nebraska weather have taken their toll. To preserve the historical integrity of this treasured landmark—and to prevent further deterioration and rising repair costs—critical masonry repairs are now urgently needed.
Scope of Repairs Needed:
Brick Repairs:
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Restore brick columns at the east canopy and above the east garage door.
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Address various brick issues on the west side, including above the window lintel.
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Repair brick at the southwest pier.
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Remove failing caulking at brick step joints in the northeast corner and replace with mortar.
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Repair the concrete threshold at the northeast doors.
Limestone Repairs:
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Repair four limestone base blocks at the east canopy.
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Restore damaged stonework on the east, west, and north elevations.
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Includes two major repairs to west side base stones.
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All stone repairs will use specialized limestone mortar from Cathedral Stone Products.
Repointing:
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Repoint the north wall of the main east entry and the east canopy columns.
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Additional repointing work around the building’s perimeter.
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All repointing will use historical Type O mortar to ensure historical accuracy.
Additional Work:
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Wash down of brick surfaces.
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Scaffolding, cleanup, and protection of existing architectural features included.
Funding Needs:
The total cost for this restoration project is $37,304.
Thanks to generous support from the 2024 Year-End Appeal and the Gage County Settler’s Fundraiser in March, we’ve raised $4,959.76 so far. Although we applied for a grant from the Nebraska State Historical Preservation Office, we were not selected this cycle.
How You Can Help:
We are now reaching out directly to the community for support. Your contribution will help us preserve this piece of Nebraska’s railroad and architectural heritage for future generations. Every dollar brings us closer to protecting this historic landmark.
Help Us Preserve a Landmark: Filley Stone Barn Needs You
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, we’ve made major strides in restoring the Filley Stone Barn, one of Gage County’s most iconic and historically significant structures. With your help, we raised $8,014 through Big Give Gage 2022, and an additional $16,149 from memorial gifts, local businesses, and private donors. These funds allowed us to:
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Rebuild damaged window wells
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Repair the barn door tracks
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Add a protective eave to keep rain out
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Give the barn a much-needed fresh coat of paint
- First round of Masonry work
But during our first round of masonry work, our contractor uncovered more damage than expected—hidden structural issues that threaten the long-term integrity of the barn. A new quote for the next phase of repairs came in at $24,813.
We’ve already begun raising funds through our Filley Stone Barn Chocolate Bar fundraiser and private donations, but we need your help to close the gap. So far, we’ve raised $456.07 toward this urgent goal.
This barn is more than just a building—it’s a physical link to our agricultural past, and a gathering place for our future. With your support, we can preserve it for generations to come.
👉 Here’s how you can help:
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Make a tax-deductible donation online https://secure.qgiv.com/for/filleystonebarn/ or by mail.
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Share this campaign with family and friends.
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Support our fundraising events throughout the summer- see our event calendar for more details.
Every dollar brings us closer to saving this piece of Gage County history.
Donate today—your gift makes a lasting difference.
Buy merchandise in our Gift Shop.
