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Spanning I-80 at Exit 275, the Archway offers a unique historical exhibit that brings American history to life and so much more.

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ABOUT US

Since it opened in the year 2000, the Archway has stood as an enduring tribute to the adventurers who traveled the Great Platte River Road though Nebraska and helped to build America. Over the years, we have welcomed and inspired over 1.5 million visitors with our story.

The Archway celebrates the American spirit of adventure.

Our Mission

The Archway preserves our history, shares our story, and inspires our visitors to participate in the American adventure of discovery, innovation, and leadership.

Staff Members

Kellie Risk
Guest Services/Volunteer Coordinator
krisk@archway.org
JoAnne Hoatson
Executive Director
jhoatson@archway.org
Stacy Schwartz
Event and Marketing Coordinator
sschwartz@archway.org

What’s Happening

Need the latest on The Archway? With our newsletter, guests and supporters can read about the latest events The Archway hosted as well as upcoming events, recent press releases and announcements. Please contact Event/Marketing Coordinator Stacy Schwartz with any questions.

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Thank you for being patient while we worked through our technical difficulties. 
Archies Halloween: Ghoulish Gathering ONLINE Registration is UP!

Also, online Tickets/Registration for all upcoming events for Fall/Winter 2023 are now available. 
Check out all the events to come.
😁
archhway.org/events

-Thank you

Thank you for being patient while we worked through our technical difficulties.
Archie's Halloween: Ghoulish Gathering ONLINE Registration is UP!

Also, online Tickets/Registration for all upcoming events for Fall/Winter 2023 are now available.
Check out all the events to come.
😁
archhway.org/events

-Thank you
... See MoreSee Less

1 day ago
Such a fun day for Archies first Camp. Thank you to all the campers who joined us in Archies Autumn Discoveries! Well seeya for the next one!Image attachmentImage attachment+Image attachment

Such a fun day for Archie's first Camp. Thank you to all the campers who joined us in Archie's Autumn Discoveries! We'll seeya for the next one! ... See MoreSee Less

2 days ago
Join Archie on his next adventure: Ghoulish Gathering! 🎃👻

For Registration Call/Email Today
Call 308-237-1000
Email: sschwartz@archway.org

Join Archie on his next adventure: Ghoulish Gathering! 🎃👻

For Registration Call/Email Today
Call 308-237-1000
Email: sschwartz@archway.org
... See MoreSee Less

2 days ago
Tis that time to start planning your Business Holiday Parties.
308-237-1000
sschwartz@archway.org

'Tis that time to start planning your Business Holiday Parties.
308-237-1000
sschwartz@archway.org
... See MoreSee Less

1 week ago
Calling ALL businesses!
Were LOOKING for participants.
Email us @ sschwartz@archway.org by October 2nd.

Calling ALL businesses!
We're LOOKING for participants.
Email us @ sschwartz@archway.org by October 2nd.
... See MoreSee Less

2 weeks ago
Spots are filling up. 
Sign up today.

https://archway.org/events/

Spots are filling up.
Sign up today.

archway.org/events/
... See MoreSee Less

3 weeks ago
Happy Labor Day, We are open!
Thank you all for your hard work!

Tickets
archway.org

Happy Labor Day, We are open!
Thank you all for your hard work!

Tickets
archway.org
... See MoreSee Less

4 weeks ago
Labor Day, We will be open!
Thank you all for your hard work!

Tickets
archway.org

Labor Day, We will be open!
Thank you all for your hard work!

Tickets
archway.org
... See MoreSee Less

4 weeks ago
Mark your calendars Kearney Cultural Partners September 10th!

Mark your calendars Kearney Cultural Partners September 10th! ... See MoreSee Less

1 month ago
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UPCOMING EVENTS

Archie Camp – Ghoulish Gathering

Date: October 13, 2023
Time: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
ghoulishgathering

Join Archies adventure camp

Grades k-5/ October 13th/ 8:00-3:00pm/ Lunch and snacks provided

This camp is filled with S.T.E.A.M based learning, hands-on activities to teach, observe, and explore the mysterious creatures of Halloween. Your child will learn the secrets of spider-webs, explore what howls and growls in the night, race spiders, fly bats,, and have a spooktacular day!

Space is limited and registration is required, register today!

Register

Halloweenfest

Date: October 22, 2023
Time: 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
HalloweenFest-FI

Join us as we partner with Kearney Park and Recreation for the family-friendly afternoon packed with Halloween fun!
Tickets are $5 each for kids and ADULTS.

Get Tickets

Archie Camp – Archie’s Prehistoric Expedition

Date: November 13, 2023
Time: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
ACPrehistoricExp-FI

Join Archies adventure camp!

Grades k-5/ November 13th/ 8:00-3:00pm/ Lunch and snacks provided.

Space is limited and registration is required, register today!

Register

Winter Wonderland

Date: December 3, 2023
Time: 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
winterwonderland

Join us, along with Santa and his gang for a fun filled afternoon.

Tickets are $5 each for kids and ADULTS.

Get Tickets

Archie Camp – Archie’s Arctic Adventures

Date: February 14, 2024
Time: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
ACArcticAdven-FI

Join Archies adventure camp!

Grades k-5/ February 24th, 2024/ 8:00-3:00pm/ Lunch and snacks provided.

Space is limited and registration is required, register today!

Register

Archie Camp – Archie’s Virtual Vacation

Date: March 8, 2024
Time: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
ACVirtualVaca-FI

Join Archies adventure camp!

Grades k-5/ March 8th/ 8:00-3:00pm/ Lunch and snacks provided.

Register

Archie Camp – Archie’s Spring into Nature

Date: April 19, 2024
Time: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
ACSpringintonature-FI

Join Archies adventure camp!

Grades k-5/ April 19th/ 8:00-3:00pm/ Lunch and snacks provided.

Register

Experience the American Spirit of Adventure

Since prehistoric times, the path along the Platte River through Nebraska, once known as the Great Platte River Road, has served as a migratory route across the continent. From the Oregon Trail era to today, the Archway brings the story of the Great Platte River Road to life.

The heart of the Archway experience is our historical exhibit that pays tribute to the American spirit of adventure. Using life size figures and personal audio guides, the Archway tells the story of the building of America. At the Archway, you’ll walk with the pioneers over the Oregon Trail. Watch a rider switch horses at a Pony Express Station. Hear Mark Twain’s account of a cross country stage coach trip. Relive the driving of the “Golden Spike” that united the nation’s railroads. Visit a traveler’s campground to hear stories of life on “America’s Main Street,” the Lincoln Highway.

Spanning I-80, today’s coast-to-coast travel corridor, at Exit 275, the Archway celebrates the lives of all of the adventurers who follow the river’s path, those of the past, who helped to build our nation, and those of today, who will shape our future.

Archway Origins

The Archway was originally conceived by Frank Morrison, the 31st Governor of Nebraska, who served from 1961-1967. It was his dream to create an enduring monument to the adventurers who followed the Great Platte River Road and helped to build America.

Imagine the daring and determination of the people who first traveled the Oregon Trail, the high-spirited adventure of racing to California during the Gold Rush of 1849, the devotion of the Mormons who moved west in search of religious freedom, the entrepreneurial spirit that lead to the creation of the Pony Express, the industry that built the Transcontinental Railroad and the cooperative effort that lead to the creation of “America’s Main Street,” the Lincoln Highway and the Interstate Highway System. Individuals of vision and courage found ways to work together to turn their dreams into reality and to contribute to an enterprise that was much bigger than themselves. The Archway tells this evocative story and seeks to inspire current day adventurers to face today’s challenges with courage and tenacity in order to continue to build a nation in which we can all take justifiable pride.

The Archway’s Innovative Structure

The Archway’s historical exhibit, shop, theater and event room are housed in a dramatic structure that spans I-80 at Exit 275. The building’s exterior was designed to emulate a covered bridge. The colors on the arch’s surface represent those of a Midwest sunrise.

Talk about American ingenuity! The engineers in charge of building the Archway were faced with the challenge of erecting a 1,500 ton structure that would eventually be suspended above one of the most heavily traveled highways in the Midwest without impeding the regular flow of traffic.

They decided that the best way to accomplish their task would be to build the two supporting towers on either side of the highway and build the arch portion of the structure separately, at ground level, near the highway. When all of the elements were ready, the most complex segment of the project was implemented. First, using hydraulic jacks, the arch section of the building was lifted 22.5 feet in the air. Then, it was jacked horizontally on to heavy duty, self-propelled modular transporters that would carry the structure across the highway. The process of lifting the structure on to the transporters took eight days.

On August 16, 1999, a section of the interstate was closed and at 10:00pm, the transporters began their work of slowly moving the structure across the highway. By 6:00am on August 17, the arch segment was in place over concrete abutment walls that are 60 feet long, 25 feet tall and 2 feet thick.   The arch segment was welded into place and finishing work began. The Archway opened for visitors on June 9, 2000. Since that time, over 1.5 million visitors have toured the historic exhibit and have been inspired by the Archway spirit of adventure.

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