Old Time Autumn in Brownville, Nebraska, will feature Civil War re-enactments.

Old Time Autumn in Brownville, Nebraska, will be held October 13 and 14, 2018. The two-day event will feature Civil War re-enactment and the grand opening of the Wheel Museum.

View the historic Civil War encampment and battle re-enactment on the hills and by the Missouri River at historic Brownville. Tour the Confederate and Union camps and learn about military life in the 1860’s.

Battles happen along the streets of Brownville and alongside the Whiskey Run Creek Trail at 10:30 a.m. Saturday and on the hillside at 6th & Allen at 2:30 p.m. Battles will also take place Sunday at 2:30 p.m (6th & Allen Streets).

A community worship service featuring the Apple Corps Singers and Dr. Charles and Jody Anderson will be Sunday at the River Inn Resort at 10:00 a.m. In case of inclement weather, the worship service will be held at the Christian Church, 6th & Main Streets. A free will offering will be received at the service for the Hurricane Florence Relief. Everyone is welcome to attend. A community pitch-in dinner follows on the second level of the River Inn Resort.

The Brownville Village Theater will present the play “The Resurrection” by Willa Cather at 1:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the Village Theater.

Various pioneer demonstrations, with working muzzleloaders, and Civil War displays will be available daily. Many of Brownville’s museums will be open on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Enjoy a trolley or buggy ride in the afternoons.

Sunday, a parade at 12:30 p.m. from 6th Street to Boettner Park will feature military personnel, cannons, muzzle loaders, cavalry, horse and buggies, carriages and trolley rides.

The Brownville Historical Society’s traditional chicken and biscuit dinner is planned for Saturday, October 13, at the Brownville Town Hall from 12:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. A free-will donation is welcomed.

Each day at 3:00 p.m. you can enjoy a sightseeing tour on the Spirit of Brownville boat. Call 402-825-6441 for reservations.

A dance with the Roundhouse Bluegrass Band will take place in the Town Hall Saturday evening at 6:00 p.m.

The grand opening of the Wheel Museum will take place Saturday at 9:00 a.m. at 219 Main Street. Music will be provided by the Roundhouse Band, 8:50 – 9:00 a.m. in front of the museum. Guest speaker will be Tyler Harris, current editor of the Nebraska Farmer.

This historic museum features displays on two levels. The original exterior signage, McInninch and Kerns Ford Garage, re-painted by artist Terry VanGundy, welcomes visitors and passersby. Enter, enjoy and educate yourself on Brownville’s historical past.

The upper level of the museum features a 1914 Ford (Tin Lizzy) with early Ford documents. Opposite the Ford display is the printing press room where a 1906 press, along with tables, lettering and documents, such as late 1800’s Brownville Advertiser newspaper, are displayed. The Nebraska Farmer magazine was begun by Robert Furnas. See the early and anniversary issues of the Nebraska Farmer. The original desk of Robert Furnas is also on display here.

At the welcoming historic desk is a place for you to sign in and see the Preserving Our Past/Protecting Our Future Donor Board as well as another historic printing press.

The historic Civil War cannon, built around 1848 and used as a protective weapon for Brownville during the Civil War, is on display. View the photo of all the Civil War generals, the historic map of Richmond, Virginia, uniforms, medals, photos, books, and articles of Brownville’s participation in the war. Captain Bailey, Captain Carson, and Colonel Robert Furnas are but a few of the Brownville’s Civil War leaders.

Three surreys are restored and available for viewing in this museum. See the Conestoga freight wagon and artifacts which accompanied the pioneers on the westward trails. Two 6’ x 9’ mural by artist, Masters, are located above the Carolyn Williams Memorial stairway and railing and on the east wall. Hanging above the stairway is a sleigh donated by the Lash Family and an historic bicycle.

Your trip will be incomplete without sitting down on a section of the 1939 Missouri River Bridge railing and viewing numerous construction photos of the national historic bridge. Take a moment to study some of the original signs and architectural drawings.

Brownville’s early connection with the Missouri River is seen in the fascinating display of river fishing equipment, massive nets, early Lincoln Journal mural, fishing shack and photos.

As you exit the stairs, one is drawn back to the 10,000 pound Minneapolis Moline steam engine. View this machine and walk alongside the 1925 McCormick Deering 1020 tractor, which was donated by Jim and Deanne Gerking of Brock.

The center aisle and west wall feature a 4,000 pound steam driven wood planer, an Econoline steam engine, horse-powered sweep, weaving machine, wooden laundry press and early washer, rinse basins, electric press, and basement rinse machine.

Along the north wall are various agricultural tools such as plows, ice cutter and photos, plow and cultivator, hay forks, milk cans and wagon, planters, harness and horse collars, an apple sorter, polisher and cider press.

The World War II Veterans Memorial Board is on the east wall. The Town Hall lists the names of people buried in the Walnut Grove Cemetery who participated in the Civil War.

The large country school curtains will be hung from the ceiling on the walls of the new addition. Brownville’s contribution to education is exhibited in the lower level through images, literature, photos, and early Brownville school desks.

Spend half a day seeing the history come alive in the restored Wheel Museum. This step back in time will reward you with appreciation as to how far we’ve come.