Harold Warp's Pioneer Village

  In 1924 Harold Warp, a 20 year old farm boy living in Minden, Nebraska, invented a plastic sheathing that could keep henhouses warm while at the same time allowing sunshine through, resulting in healthier chickens and more eggs. He and his brothers headed to Chicago with his invention and 800 dollars. The company they founded is still in business with three plants manufacturing all types of plastic wraps.

  When Harold learned that the schoolhouse he attended as a child was for sale he bought it and moved it to a newly purchased plot of land along US 6 in Minden. More buildings were added and filled with appropriate things. The village opened to the public it 1953. Since then the village has grown to 25 buildings filled with items arranged to fulfill Harold’s vision of “showing man’s progress since1830”.



  This is an amazing place! It’s a smaller, less historically significant version of the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn Michigan. It’s still operated by the family and has suffered from a lack of funding and upkeep. We’ve become accustomed to carefully climate controlled museums so it’s a bit of a shock to realize the village buildings are not heated in the winter or adequately cooled in the summer and the humidly is not even considered. Hopefully this wonderful collection of our history will not be ruined by unintentional neglect.. There’s so much stuff that it can be a little overwhelming. Plan to spend at least one whole day.

    
 


       
  The main building is completely accessible. Most of the other buildings have short ramps and heavy doors which makes access difficult without assistance. None of the second floors are accessible.

  RV parking is in the restaurant (closed) parking lot to the northeast of the main building.  Museum  40.50428, -98.95037