Photo Credit: Brownville Village Theatre, "Willa Cather's A Resurrection" 2023
A not-so-average town,
for the not-so-average traveler.
Acres of scenic
river bluffs
Museums &
historical sites
You never know what (or who!) you will find in Brownville next!
Oh the drama!
Perhaps you have a flair for the dramatic. Brownville is home to the oldest repertory theatre in the state of Nebraska, the Brownville Village Theatre, entertaining over 3,000 guests every season.
Browse by Interest
History, nature, the arts, shopping and more. Find it all in Brownville.
Flatwater Folk Art Museum
Located in a beautifully renovated church, this American folk art museum is a must see when you visit Brownville!
Open Fri-Sun 1-4
Open by Appointment
609 Main Street, Brownville, NE
Phone: 402.825.4371
Email: flatwater1@windstream.net
Carson House
The very dignified Carson House, included on the National Register of Historic Places, was originally built by Richard Brown, founder of Brownville, and later in 1864, became the home of John L. Carson, an early Nebraska banker, and his family.
Learn more about this and many other historical sites on the Brownville Historical Society website.
Chitwood Wheel Museum
The Chitwood Wheel Museum was recently renovated and reopened to the public. It features a steam engine, Nebraska river exhibit, Nebraska Farmer magazine press room, early printing exhibit, 1846 cannon, and carriages. The museum was a gift from Melva Sage. The exterior of the building has recently been restored to its look from 1916.
Learn more about this and many other historical sites on the Brownville Historical Society website.
Governor Furnas House Museum
This 1868 Italianate and Gothic Revival home reflects the typical expressions of the era in addition to serving as an illustrative documentation of historical activities and events related to Historic Brownville. Gov. Furnas and his family lived in this home after he left the governorship until his death in 1905 when he was buried in the nearby Walnut Grove Cemetery. His grave site is marked by a most unusual monument.
Captain Meriwether Lewis Dredge Museum
The dredge Captain Meriwether Lewis is a U.S. National Historic Landmark. The dredge is one of the few surviving examples of its type built to control flooding and improve navigation along the nation's rivers.
Captain Bailey Museum
This remarkable museum is housed in the seven-gabled Captain Bailey House.
Included on the National Register of Historic Places, it's built of brick manufactured in one of the three brick factories in early Brownville. It originally stood near the Missouri River; when the river began to change its course and endanger the house, it was disassembled in 1877, and moved brick-by-brick to its present location on Main Street.
Learn more about this and many other historical sites on the Brownville Historical Society website.
Brownville Depot & Rail History Museum
The Brownville Historical Society purchased the Brownville Train Depot in 2004 to preserve it as one of Brownville’s most fascinating stories, and the moment that forever changed Brownville’s course in history, the story of Brownville’s attempt to build the Brownville, Ft. Kearney and Pacific Railroad. The museum is located at Hwy 136 and Water Street.
Learn more about this and many other historical sites on the Brownville Historical Society website.
Didier Cabin
This reconstructed 1854 log cabin was originally constructed about 10 miles south of Brownville and moved to Boettner park in 2008. Learn more about this and many other historical sites on the Brownville Historical Society website.
Spurgin Dental Office
This charming landmark features antique dental tools and oddities from the time period in an old-time dentist office.
Sage Museum
The Brownville Historical Society welcomes visitors to the Sage Memorial museum which features Native American history in Nebraska and surrounding states.
Learn more about this and many other historical sites on the Brownville Historical Society website.
Land Office
Brownville had the distinction of being the site of Nebraska Territory’s only land office during the implementation of the Homesteader Act of 1862. After President Lincoln signed this into law, it opened the floodgates for western migration. Those wanting to make land claims in Nebraska had to travel to the land office in Brownville to file their paperwork.
Ice House Museum
Brownville's newset museum! The building on Main & 3rd across from the Carson House was once used to store ice that was harvested from the Missouri River.
What once appeared to be just another old barn type of building will soon house a small rustic museum.
Brownville Christian Church
Service at 11 am Sunday
522 Main Street
Brownville Methodist Church
Service at 10 am Sunday
423 Water Street
Whiskey Run Creek Winery & Distillery
Open year-round featuring award-winning wines
Thurs to Sun 1:00 to 5:00 pm
702 Main Street / PO Box 97
Phone: 402.825.4601
Email: whiskeyrun@windstream.net
whiskeyruncreek.com
Gospel Coffee & Ice Cream
Gospel Coffee & Ice Cream serves fresh quality espresso and coffee drinks, UNL dairy store ice cream and homemade baked goods.
121 Main Street
Brownville Lyceum
228 E Main Street
Fall & Winter Hours:
Tues - Fri 11am - 2pm
Sat 5 - 8pm
Sun 11am - 2pm
Mon - CLOSED
Phone: 402-825-1222
Spirit of Brownville Dinner Cruises
Take in the sights on a relaxing dinner cruise on the Missouri River May through October.
Phone: (402) 825-6441
Email: riverboat@spiritofbrownville.biz
TJ's Tavern
105 N. 1st Street
(402) 825-9902
Lone Tree Saloon
Home decor and gift shop located at 116 Main St.
Bird's Nest Trading Post
Boho, Southwestern and Handmade items both new and vintage sourced from Nebraska through the West Coast. Stay tuned for future events.
309 Main Street (lower level), Brownville NE - Map
Open: Fri & Sat 11-5pm, Sun 1-4pm
Phone: 402.825.4926
Email: thebirdsnests@yahoo.com
Malina's Treasures
Vintage toy shop located at 117 Main Street. (402) 825-3471
River Crossing Antiques
Come visit Rod and Bucky at 127 Main St.
Schoolhouse Art Gallery & Nature Center
Brownville Fine Arts Association
427 Main Street / PO Box 4
Open June to October
Thursday-Sunday 1-4 pm
Monthly Art Show and Speaker Series
For tours call (402)414-2082 or go to the Brownville Market.
Phone: (402)414-2082
Email: peggygroff17@gmail.com
Environs
Working Studio/Gallery
128 Main Street, Brownville, NE 68321
Open Year Round
Winter Hours : Saturday&Sunday 11 to 4
In Season Hours: Thursday-Sunday 11 to 4
Call for an appointment : 816-210-3634
New Earth Clay Pottery
403 Main Street
Open: Fridays 1-5pm & Saturdays 11am - 5pm
April 5, 2024 through mid-November
Phone: 402-825-4915
Email: brnewearthclay@gmail.com
GlassArt @ 601
Artist Jim Aden Working Studio
601 Main Street
Phone: (503) 428-8226
Email: jadenglassworks@mac.com
Palmerton Gallery & The Crucible
212 N. Main Street
Hours: Most weekend afternoons at the Palmerton Gallery, or by appointment
Phone: (402) 825-3661
Email: mpalmerton@thecruciblellc.com
John Lokke Art & Studio
Art instruction available
Hours: By appointment.
310 S. 7th Street
Phone: (402) 825-3661
Email:
scenario_56_@hotmail.com
Whiskey Run Creek Nature Trail and Art in Nature Walk
Art and Nature was developed as a way to expand the Brownville Fine Arts Association educational and cultural programming as well as provide additional connections with nature along the Whiskey Run Creek Nature Trail within the Arboretum.
Steamboat Trace Trail
This scenic, 22-mile abandoned railroad corridor parallels the Missouri River from about six miles south of Nebraska City to just south of Brownville, Nebraska. Visitors will enjoy a variety of experiences including a wealth of different tree and plant species and birds and other wildlife (deer, turkeys, squirrels, rabbits, snakes, raccoons, bobcats, etc.) The trail winds through sandstone bluffs, cuts across open farm fields, and hugs the river in spots. A crushed limestone surface provides an avenue for hikers and bicyclists alike. Open most of the year, for safety reasons, however, the trail is always closed during rifle deer hunting seasons (10 days in November, two weeks in January).
Gov. Robert W. Furnas Arboretum
The Furnas Arboretum provides educational activities, eco-tourism, birding, symposiums, garden tours and memorial plantings and dedication opportunities.
Read more about this and other Brownville attractions at brownvillefinearts.com
Rohman Garden
This serene space was constructed in honor of Carl Rohman who was instrumental in creating and designing the Gov. Robert W. Furnas Arboretum as well as saving many of the historic homes in Brownville. Located at the corner of 5th and Main St across from the Schoolhouse Art Gallery, the gardens contains Iris beds reflecting his work breeding hybrid Irises, a poem written by US Poet Laureate Ted Kooser and dedicated Carl Rohman, a circular walkway with benches and a history wall.
Riverside Park
Open year-round for hiking, camping, Missouri River access, picnicking, fishing and other activities.
Spirit of Brownville River Cruise
Come aboard the Spirit of Brownville for a scenic cruise on the "Mighty Mo".
Boettner Park
Boettner Park is a prime location for everything from a simple picnic to a larger gathering. The park offers a wealth of history, including a marker denoting the site where Nebraskans enlisted for the Civil War in 1861 and the 1854-era Didier Log Cabin nearby.
Brownville Concert Hall
New York Cabaret, Broadway, Jazz, Rock, Bluegrass & Classical, Music shows one weekend a month March/April through December
126 Atlantic Street / PO Box 52
Phone: (402)825-3331
Brownville Village Theatre
The oldest repertory theatre in Nebraska, offering four plays and a musical all summer long June through August
222 Water Street
Phone: (402)825-4121
Email: bvt1967@windstream.net
Brownville Riverside Park and Landing
For more in formation contact the Brownville Welcome Center at (402) 414-0025
River Inn Resort
A floating B&B, RV Park and the Spirit of Brownville excursion boat. Plan an experience you'll remember for a lifetime! (402) 825-6441
Pierce Cottage
Quaint Airbnb in the hills of Brownville. 974 Main St. (402) 414-1959
Any day, any time
Immerse yourself in the local nature, art, and history any day, any time!
Whiskey Run Creek Nature Trail / Art & Nature
Art and Nature was developed as a way to expand the Brownville Fine Arts Association educational and cultural programming as well as provide additional connections with nature along the Whiskey Run Creek Nature Trail within the Arboretum.
Steamboat Trace Trail
This scenic, 22-mile abandoned railroad corridor parallels the Missouri River from about six miles south of Nebraska City to just south of Brownville, Nebraska. Visitors will enjoy a variety of experiences including a wealth of different tree and plant species and birds and other wildlife (deer, turkeys, squirrels, rabbits, snakes, raccoons, bobcats, etc.) The trail winds through sandstone bluffs, cuts across open farm fields, and hugs the river in spots. A crushed limestone surface provides an avenue for hikers and bicyclists alike. Open most of the year, for safety reasons, however, the trail is always closed during rifle deer hunting seasons (10 days in November, two weeks in January).
Heritage Tree
In 2017, Nebraska celebrated the Sesquicentennial of our state. To highlight this anniversary, the Brownville Historical Society chose the HERITAGE TREE as a part of the State’s celebration. This tree represents several symbols of Brownville’s rich history, from a riverboat to the Railroad, the Theater to the Concert Hall, the Civil War cannon to the Winery.
Located in downtown Brownville, the Tree is modeled after similar civil monuments in Southern Germany called Stammbaums. This wood and steel structure stands 29 feet tall above ground.
The significant heritage of Brownville began in 1854. Early settlers led by former Governor Robert Furnas, planted thousands of trees in the Loess soil. The apple tree at the top of the HERITAGE TREE represents this early Nebraska effort.
The HERITAGE TREE came into being as businesses joined together to design, construct and finance this project. Brownville is a Preserve America Community; many properties reside in the National Historic District in Brownville.
Governor Furnas Arboretum & Gazebo
The Gov. Furnas Arboretum is a picturesque tribute to Nebraska's 2nd Governor, Robert W. Furnas. The newest addition to the site is a gazebo highlighting the life and history of Furnas. Read more about this and other Brownville attractions at brownvillefinearts.com/gov-furnas-arboretum-whiskey-run-creek-nature-trail
Riverside Park & Landing
Open year-round for hiking, camping, Missouri River access, picnicking, fishing and other activities.
Rohman Garden
Learn more about this and other Brownville attractions at brownvillefinearts.com/rohman-garden
Walnut Grove Cemetery
Walnut Grove Cemetery was established in 1864. Although historic, this is an active cemetery for the
Village of Brownville. Please treat it as you would your own.
Didier Cabin at Boettner Park
Boettner Park is a prime location for everything from a simple picnic to a larger gathering. The park offers a wealth of history, including a marker denoting the site where Nebraskans enlisted for the Civil War in 1861 and the 1854-era Didier Log Cabin nearby.
Brownville's artists and merchants would like to welcome you on your schedule! Discover how to build your own unique adventure with private openings and tours.
Build Your Own Experience
The Brownville Concert Series attracts premier Broadway performances that rival (if not exceed) the big-city experience! Where else could you casually converse with the likes of Ann Hampton (Jazz Grammy winner), Liz Calloway (Griselda in Cats), or Amra-Faye Wright (Velma Kelly in Chicago) after the show?! The unique and intimate setting of the Brownville Concert Hall is truly a must-do for visitors and locals alike.
Truly Unique
Travel through time as you tour one of Nebraska's oldest communities. We will be celebrating the 200th birthday of Governor Furnas throughout 2024 with a wide variety of events including civil war reenactments. Sign up for our newsletter to stay up-to-date!
History Abound
