Located just a short drive off of Interstate 80 in Minden, Nebraska, Pioneer Village has the largest private collection of Americana anywhere. Comprising of 28 buildings over 20 acres, it houses over 50,000 historical items that have been restored to operating order. There are 12 historical buildings that include a real Pony Express station, a Frontier Fort and a house made from real sod, just to name a few.
Pioneer Village was founded by the late Harold Warp, the founder and CEO of Warp Plastics. This Chicago based company makes products such as Flex-O-Glass, Red-O-Tex and others. While many of us are not familiar with these products, if you are a chicken farmer in the midwest, you will know what they are. What did he do with his fortune? Instead of frivolous spending, he bought things like his hometown school house, church and other buildings that at the time were of no historical value. He moved these to his Pioneer Village and began his collection of Americana. With so many items to examine, you may want to visit more than one day, and will be able to enter on just the original admission.
More information on Pioneer Village can be found online. Whether it's lodging or eateries you are looking, for it's there. You will also find detailed directions and hours of operation, as well as more interesting facts. Did you know that Pioneer Village is the home of the oldest merry go round in the United States? You can still ride for the original price, a single nickel.
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