NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (KNOP) – If you’ve ever driven down I-80 in Dawson County, you’ve probably noticed a unique museum east of the Lexington exit.

The origins of the Heartland Museum of Military Vehicles date back to the mid-1980s, amid challenging and unique times in the Nebraska Agricultural Industry.

“1985 came and I think it was called the ‘Election Programme’ in agriculture; They were paying us not to cultivate half of our land. We were then able to do whatever we wanted, so we were only working part time in May and were invited to participate in a movie. We started talking and thought that was pretty good money and farming wasn’t doing very well anyway. So we decided to create our collection; “We even had someone in Central Nebraska challenge us to find more,” said Terry Lauby, co-founder of the Heartland Museum of Military Vehicles.

Lauby said the museum’s origins are deeply connected to the founders’ agricultural backgrounds.

“Al, Chris and I had a background in agriculture here. We knew that farmers and ranchers didn’t actually throw anything away. And after World War II, the government was giving this equipment to farmers and ranchers to farm. Because when we came back from the war they had a lot of tanks and trucks and planes, but when you went to the farm all they had were horses and mules,” Lauby said.

The equipment at the Heartland Museum of Military Vehicles dates back to the 1890s during the Spanish-American War and expands into the 1980s.

“We have about 106 vehicles on display here right inside. Most are running and driving. Our goal is to help preserve, educate and remember these historic vehicles that, in many cases, helped our veterans return home in one piece. (Veterans Day) is a very important day for us and the museum here, so we are doing our best to put on a show to help remember veterans and the sacrifices they made for us and this country,” said Executive Director Colton Öser.

Dawson County’s Heartland Military Vehicles Museum is open 10-5 every weekday and 1-5 on Sundays.

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