Museum History :
In 1996, the town of Wisner, Cuming County, Nebraska was one hundred twenty-five (125) years. It had been a long time since a small cluster of buildings, located along the Elkhorn river approximately sixteen miles from the county seat (West Point), was established by early settlers. This town given it's name after Judge J. P. Wisner had seen many changes. Now, time has come to remember the past and celebrate the history for the community and visitors.
Through the effort of the board, volunteers and current business, the Wisner Museum began in a building which holds a lot of history.
In the early 1900's, this two story building begun with the housing of Kinzel Brother's Hardware, Furniture and Undertaking business (pictured above).
Building ownership changed in 1927 when Mr. Floyd Holbet purchased and continued the furniture and undertaking business.
Mr. Holbet accepted an offer from Mr. T. W. Chittenden in 1932 for the continuation of the furniture and undertaking business. Misfortune came in 1936 when fire consumed the building, leaving little to nothing remaining.
Mr. Chittenden, in 1937, using the insurance payment, built what was financially possible, a single story building. The entire business, not need in the entire building, was divided into two areas. The west side continued Mr. Chittenden's furniture and undertaking business. While the east side of the building became the U & I Grocery store.
Stability for several years, until 1968 when the U & I Grocery store changed ownership, thus becoming Curley's Jack & Jill Grocery store. This grocery store occupied the entire building being a focal point for Wisner.
In 1988, more changes occurred with remodeling of the interior developing two distinct division which housed the Western central mall on the west side and S. & S. Telemarketing on the east side.
Additional changes occurred with the Wisner Museum occupying the east side of the building in 1996 and the Ruff and Ready Antique shop becoming occupants of the west side in 1997.
The Wisner Museum, in 1998, acquired the entire building after applying for funding through a generous grant given from the Lewis and Abby Faye Dinklage Foundation.
