discover performing arts, prairie life & Willa Cather in Red Cloud
If you could see Nebraska through my eyes, you would see how great life was and still is in America's Most Famous Small Town. You'd see the beautifully restored Opera House and the Moon Block, the site of the National Willa Cather Center. You'd see seven State Historical Sites that are dedicated to Cather and nearly 50 places you can visit that are associated with the author's life and writings. You'd see how proud our town is to have more sites dedicated to honoring an author than anywhere else in the country. You would see a beautiful downtown with unique architecture, friendly people and hard-working folks in small, locally owned businesses. You'd see beautiful old homes and traffic-free streets.You'd also get a glimpse into our storied past at the Webster County Historical Museum and the Starke Round Barn, the largest true round barn in the world. You'd marvel at this architectural wonder with its massive beams held in place by tension rather than nails. You would have your breath taken away on a warm summer day, taking a country tour and seeing the sights of Catherland; you would begin to understand just how difficult and awe-inspiring life on the plains in the pioneer days must have been. You would be even more amazed by the beauty, grandeur and immensity of the open prairie at the Willa Cather Memorial Prairie and be delighted to see species you will find nowhere else in Nebraska.
But more than the amazing sights, culture and history, you'd get to see that our true heritage is our people. You would get to see them support and celebrate one another and how hard-working farmers can let loose for a few moments at community celebrations like Street Car Days and events at the Opera House. You would see a town that embraces a diverse array of people, from literary enthusiasts to hardcore hunters seeking out some of the best spots for deer and turkey in the region. You'd be amazed by the endless sunsets, the wildlife, the prairie, the town and the people. If you could see Red Cloud through my eyes, you would see a great place to raise a family, a great place to embrace culture and a great place to catch a glimpse of Nebraska's proud pioneer past.
My name is Jarrod and this is Red Cloud through my eyes.
413 N. Webster St.
Red Cloud, NE
United States
The historic 1885 Red Cloud Opera House is where Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Willa Cather attended performances and gave her high school graduation speech. Today, the Red Cloud Opera House is fully restored an is home to an art gallery, bookstore, and boasts an active performance and events schedule. From live music and theatrical performances to book signings and art exhibitions, the Red Cloud Opera House serves as an arts and cultural hub for south-central Nebraska. For a complete list of Red Cloud Opera House events and tickets call 402-746-2641 or visit www.WillaCather.org. The Red Cloud Opera House is closed New Years Day, Easter, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
413 North Webster St.
Red Cloud, NE
United States
Walk in her footsteps, stay in her town. • Explore a new permanent exhibit at The National Willa Cather Center • Tour seven Cather historic sites • Hike the 612-acre Cather Prairie • Take in a show at the Red Cloud Opera House • Spend an evening at the Cather Second Home Willa Cather is one of the most important American novelists of the first half of the twentieth century. Critics have increasingly identified Cather as a canonical American writer, the peer of authors like Hemingway, Faulkner and Wharton. The author of 12 novels, 6 collections of short fiction, 2 editions of her book of poetry, April Twilights, and 9 works of nonfiction and collected journalism, speeches, and letters. Our mission is to promote Willa Cather's legacy through education, preservation, and the arts. Tours available daily. Visit WillaCather.org for details.
721 W. 4th Ave.
Red Cloud, NE
United States
Housed in a beautiful classical revival style mansion, the Webster County Historical Museum depicts the rich heritage of the early settlers of the county during the late 1800's and early 1900's. Built in 1907 by Dr. Robert Damerell with 21 rooms, and enlarged by its second owner, J.W. Auld to 30 rooms. The museum features the house, a farm implement building as well as an Exhibit building. The Exhibit building has a permanent exhibit of Creating the Plains, about the railroad and small towns in Webster County, a paleontology exhibit of bones and fossils found in Webster County, and various temporary displays are up throughout the open season. The Museum hosts an Annual Festival of Trees the first Saturday of December through the second Sunday of December from 1:00-6:00 p.m. daily. The Museum is open April 1st through October 31st from 1:00-5:00 p.m. Closed on Mondays & some holidays.
1639 U.S. 136
Red Cloud, NE
United States
With its circular frame design, this barn is the largest of its type in the country. Constructed in 1902, it is 3 stories tall and listed on the National Register of Historic Sites. Donation. Call ahead to schedule entry or a tour.
5 mi. south of Red Cloud
Red Cloud, NE
United States
A botanical treasure of 612 acres of native Nebraska prairie, the Willa Cather Memorial Prairie has nearly 2 miles of walking and hiking trails cut and open for the public. Nature lovers can enjoy areas of tall grass, short grass, flowers, shrubbery and take in the scenic beauty of the landscape. The prairie is also home to a variety of bird species and is recognized as a Nebraska Birding Site by the Nebraska Teaming with Wildlife Coalition. Bird-watchers can view meadowlarks, upland sandpipers, wood ducks, blue-winged teals, blue birds, assorted sparrows, grouse, turkeys, orchard orioles and more. Free to the public.
