The University of Nebraska State Museum’s Trailside Museum of Natural History near Crawford will open to the public April 1.

The 2021 season marks the museum’s 60th anniversary. As part of the anniversary year, the Ice Age Mammoth display will be renovated to feature new information and objects, telling the stories of how elephants and Paleo-Indians came to North America. The project is set for completion by June.

“Our staff is looking forward to the 2021 season opening,” said Pattie Norman, museum specialist at Trailside Museum. “We are all excited to see the upcoming changes.”

Trailside Museum will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday from April 1 through May 31; Wednesday through Sunday from June 1 through Aug. 31; and Thursday through Sunday from Sept. 1 through Oct. 31. A limited number of tickets will be available each hour. To ensure access at a given time, visitors are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance online. Since Trailside Museum is part of Fort Robinson State Park, visitors will also need to purchase a state park permit to access the museum.

Mammoth footprint floor decals will be located throughout the museum as a guide for social distancing. Visitors are also encouraged to wear masks while exploring the exhibits and in the gift shop.

“We are ready for our 60th anniversary year and spring opening of Trailside Museum,” said Susan Weller, director of the NU State Museum. “We look forward to welcoming visitors to this gem in western Nebraska.”

Those with questions regarding the museum and its operating procedures should click here or call 308-665-2929.