The University of Nebraska State Museum’s Trailside Museum of Natural History near Crawford will remain closed for the rest of the 2020 season. Due to the novel coronavirus, the museum had delayed its 2020 opening. The museum will instead wait to open until the 2021 season.

The decision to keep the museum closed rests on logistics and the challenges of converting the interior spaces to allow for safe social distancing of visitors and staff within the short time remaining in the 2020 season. Instead, staff will focus the remainder of the year and off-season on exhibit development and facility upgrades.

“While we are sorry to keep Trailside Museum closed, we will use the time to refresh and restore the museum so it is ready for 2021 and its 60th anniversary,” said Susan Weller, director of the NU State Museum.

Trailside Museum will celebrate its 60th anniversary, as well as the 150th anniversary of the University of Nebraska State Museum system, next year.