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Punch your ticket and hit the streets of Omaha for a trip back in time! Take part in The Durham’s River City History Tours on Ollie the Trolley. Select from the following six trolley tours:

FROM EXPOSITIONS TO JAZZ MUSICIANS
10:30AM tours: June 8, July 6, Aug. 3, Oct. 5
1:30PM tours: Sept. 8
2PM tours: June 19
In 1898, North Omaha hosted the Trans-Mississippi International Exposition, which celebrated technology to show that life was civilized west of the Mississippi River. Following the Exposition, the area continued as a diverse and vibrant community in Omaha’s early years, with businesses flourishing along 24th street well into the 1950s. Stately homes, parks and jazz halls made this area a cultural center of Omaha. Take a trip through this historic and influential area!

LAST CALL FOR ALCOHOL: OMAHA'S BOOTLEGGING HISTORY
10:30AM tours: July 20
1:30PM tours: Sept. 22
6PM tours: July 30
The 18th Amendment to the Constitution did not stop people’s thirst for alcohol. By the time prohibition was the law of the land in 1919, Nebraska had been “dry” for two years. Organized crime syndicates had established a well-oiled machine to profit from those wanting to purchase illegal drink and be a part of the activities associated with it. The local and federal authorities spent years putting together a case that ultimately brought down the “Kingpin” of Omaha’s crime scene, Tom Dennison. The information presented on this tour is based off of the 1931 federal indictment brought against some of Omaha’s largest bootleggers.

GRITTY CITY
10:30AM tours: June 15, Aug. 24, Oct. 12
2PM tours: June 20
6PM tours: July 2, Aug. 6, Sept. 17
The Gritty City tour takes visitors through downtown Omaha, locating several historic sites, including the former home of Madame Anna Wilson, The Brandeis Building, and the Paxton Hotel, all while highlighting the impact of noted individuals and events in our city’s sometimes turbulent history.

MAGIC CITY
10:30AM tours: Sept. 7
1:30PM tours: June 23, July 28, Aug. 18, Sept. 29
6PM tours: June 11, July 9
The Magic City tour focuses on the growth of South Omaha, which was founded in 1884 because of the creation of the Union Stockyards. Waves of immigrants flocked to the community to carve out a new life while working in the packinghouses, breweries, smelting plants, and other businesses that grew in the area. By 1890, South Omaha was the fastest growing city in the country, earning the nickname, “Magic City,” with a truly unique history.

MILLIONAIRES & MANSIONS NORTH GOLD COAST
1:30PM tours: June 30, Aug. 4, October 6
6PM tours: July 23, Aug. 20, Sept. 10
This tour explores the neighborhoods north of Dodge Street in mid-town Omaha. Along the way, learn about the Mercer Mansion, Joslyn Castle, and the Louis Nash residence to name just a few! The trolley will drive on the first curved street in the city and visitors will see many stately homes in the original “West Omaha.”

MILLIONAIRES & MANSIONS SOUTH GOLD COAST
1:30PM tours: July 7, August 11, Sept. 15, Oct. 13
6PM tours: June 4, Sept. 3
Take a trip to the early 1900s in the area south of Dodge Street in mid-town Omaha. Many landmarks in the city are located here including the Blackstone Hotel, the Storz Mansion, and the home of Arthur and Zerlina Brandeis. Visitors will see the beauty of traditional architecture and hear the stories of the people who built these magnificent homes.

Tours are $15 for members and $20 for non-members. Tours are approximately 90 minutes in length and depart from The Durham Museum. Please arrive 10 minutes before the scheduled departure. To register, please call (402) 444-5027 or e-mail education@DurhamMuseum.org. Payment is due at the time of registration.

Private River City History Tours are available year round for groups of 20 to 42. For more information on scheduling a private tour, please contact the Education Department at (402) 444-5027 or email education@DurhamMuseum.org. A $100 non-refundable deposit is due upon completion of the reservation.