The Wayne County Museum, located at the corner of Seventh and Lincoln Streets in Wayne, provides both the history and heritage of Wayne County.
Beginning this weekend and running through Labor Day, the museum will be open for visitors each Sunday afternoon from 2 to 4 p.m.
The museum is located in a beautiful home built in 1900 for Dr. W. C. Wightman, an early doctor in the community. Later on the residence was sold to a local banker, Rollie Ley and his family. In 1976 the Ley family donated the home to the Wayne County Historical Society for use as a museum.
“From a historical perspective, this 1900 home stands head and shoulders above many other homes of its day. The architectural details are stunning. Features include detailed woodwork, carvings, and items of historical interest. Boasting four original coal burning fireplaces, a built-in bookcase with curved glass and several stained glass and beveled-glass windows, the home was built to impress," said Wayne County Historical President Elizabeth King.
Other officers for the group include Marlene Broer, vice-president and Rachel Kunz, secretary -treasurer.
Upcoming events on the 2025 calendar for the Historical Society include the return of Humanities Nebraska speaker, Sue McClain on Saturday, Sept. 27 and Cherri Beem-Callaway, another Humanities Nebraska top speaker who will be in Wayne on Saturday, Dec 6. More details on these events will follow in the future.
"The Wayne community is so lucky to have an establishment like the museum, to be able to walk through it and learn about the history of the area. We welcome anyone who is curious about history or what a turn-of-the-century house looks like, to spend a Sunday afternoon at the museum," Kunz said.
The house, located at the corner of Seventh and Lincoln Streets, took three years to build the home, and it cost $13,000. Dr. Wightman moved in about three years after building it. In 1913, he sold it to the Ley family for $6,000. He took a bit of a hit, but he had joined the railroad, and he became a doctor for them. He didn’t need a big house, he just needed a room to stay. Part of the condition of selling the home to the Ley family was that whenever he was back in town, he wanted to have a room to come back to.
The home reflects a Victorianized Colonial style and features original woodwork, carvings and turn-of-the-century items of historical interest. The home contains four original marble coal-burning fireplaces, a built-in bookcase with curved glass doors, and several stained-glass and beveled-glass windows. The museum is also home to a mantle clock which was originally used in the first courthouse of Wayne County in LaPorte prior to the relocation of the county seat in Wayne.
Other items include a desk designed for the Chicago World's Fair in 1893 and memorabilia from several historical wars. The basement showcases a variety of farm-related and primitive items from around the area.
The Wayne County Historical Society is currently looking to raise funds to assist with the upkeep of the Museum. Repairs are needed to the roof and outside railings on the main level and the balcony.
All donations are appreciated and welcome and may be sent to P.O. Box 83, Wayne, Neb. 68787.
Anyone with an interested in becoming a member of the Historical Society is encouraged to contact one of the officers or like the group's Facebook page, Wayne County NE Historical Society Museum.
“Come and see us every Sunday from 2-4, beginning this weekend until Labor Day weekend. After all, history loves company," King said.
