GRAND ISLAND, STUHR MUSEUM - A special day of remembrance and ceremony took place Monday, May 26, 2008 at Stuhr Museum's annual 1890s Memorial Day celebration.
The day began at 11 a.m. when a flag-led procession began in Railroad Town and ended in the rural cemetery next to the Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church on the museum's grounds. From there, a ceremony originated by the Grand Army of the Republic took place, and included songs, readings, poetry and a military rifle salute all meant to honor the dead.
After lunch, Railroad Town's own Silver Cornet Band performed a number of old patriotic favorites. As members of the public came and went around Railroad Town, the townsfolk listened to a powerful ceremony, again taken from GAR material, which honored military service. The keynote address was given by Mr. J.P. Black, who expounded on the need for remembrance and an end to the bitterness of war.
Monday's events also included the opening of "Vittles: Flavors Across the Plains," Stuhr Museum's summer exhibit. From the ground, to the dinner table to the corner store, "Vittles" covers our pioneer ancestors relationship with food from a variety of interesting angles. The show runs through September.
For more information on any of these events, contact the museum at (308) 385-5316.