Hastings Museum of Natural and Cultural History

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Firearms Display

The Firearms Display is currently under renovation until January 2008. The display will be partially or fully closed until then. Please check on current status of the display before visiting at 1-800-508-4629 or guestservices@hastingsmuseum.org.

Updated November 29, 2007

Lock, Stock and Barrel Near Completion

Glen Kroeker nails walls in place for the Lock, Stock and Barrel exhibit on the lower level.

Glen Kroeker nails walls in place for the Lock, Stock and Barrel exhibit on the lower level.

The firearms exhibit is progressing and many things have “appeared” in the last couple of months. By the time you read this, cases will be in place and graphics will start going up. A great deal of work has been done and will continue as the exhibit takes form in the gallery.

Custom designed cases are unique to our exhibit. There are two drawers in each free standing case unit that hold additional guns for visitors interested in seeing many different models. Above the drawers there are displays of key firearms and other related material that tell the story of weapons and their importance to the Great Plains. In addition, there are wall mounted vitrines that tell the story.

The main difference you will notice in the case design for this exhibit is the external lighting source. We planned the cases this way for the preservation of the artifacts. Lights in cases can cause heat and/or UV damage, depending on the type of lamp. The extra bonus to this design is the lighting is much easier to maintain.

Behind the scenes, staff and volunteers continue to clean the guns and coat them with a protective layer of white paste wax. The wax keeps dirt and moisture from damaging the metal and wood, yet is reversible should the artifact need conservation in the future. Very soon, mounts for the guns and other artifacts will be custom made for each piece. The mounts secure the guns in the displays but prevent harm from abrasion or incompatible materials.

Various other staff members are working on graphics, labels and images for the exhibit that tell the story of the weapons. We also plan educational materials and activities for groups, as well as some engaging activities that will remain in the exhibit all the time.

The exhibit will be ready for a soft opening in January. Not everything will be completed but the visible parts of the exhibit will be ready for you take a peek. Staff will continue to work on other aspects of the exhibit such as filling the drawers with additional guns and installing the hands-on activities. In June, the exhibit and all components will be ready for a big grand opening for the annual membership event.

Stay tuned for more details of these future events.

Did you know?

The term "sharpshooter" was used as early as the Civil War. Hiram Berdan issued "Sharpe's Rifles" to an infantry regiment who were hand selected for their marksmanship. They were called "Sharpe's Shooters" and later the "e's" on Sharpe's was dropped and it became a universal term to define good marksmen. You can see one of the "Sharpe's Rifles" along with nearly 200 other firearms on display in the lower level.

Location: Lower Level