Stuhr Museum Foundation unveils $20 million Legacy in Motion campaign to secure museum's future, open its gates to every Nebraskan

GRAND ISLAND — The Stuhr Museum Foundation on Wednesday publicly launched Legacy in Motion, a $20 million campaign to build a new multi-use facility on the Stuhr Museum grounds, sustain it for the long term and make museum admission free for every Nebraska resident in perpetuity.

The campaign was unveiled Wednesday evening to community leaders and supporters gathered in a tent on the museum grounds, on the very spot where the new facility will stand.

Legacy in Motion is built on three connected funding commitments: $13 million to construct the facility, a $2 million Building Reserve to maintain it and a $5 million Admission Reserve to offset the cost of admission for all Nebraskans. 

"The Stuhr Museum Foundation exists for one purpose: to support the Museum — to advance its efforts, nurture its creativity, strengthen its capacity, and invest in the preservation and ongoing maintenance of its campus," said Bonnie Smith, executive director of the Stuhr Museum Foundation. "This campaign is our vision for a sound path forward."

A sustainable future for Stuhr Museum
The campaign comes from a position of strength. Since 2018, the Foundation has grown its support of the museum by 233% and its own portfolio by 46%.

"Our assets exist to provide both restricted and rainy-day funding to benefit Stuhr Museum," Smith said. "We've worked strategically to invest in campus infrastructure and afford the Museum the capacity to move forward quickly and nimbly. That momentum is exactly why now is the time for a transformative investment in Stuhr Museum's future."

The new facility is planned to open debt-free, with the Building Reserve dedicated to its long-term care. As a venue for weddings, conferences and community events, it will grow and diversify the museum's earned revenue, with facility rental revenue projected to increase by 595%. That revenue, paired with the Admission Reserve, is designed to keep the museum strong and accessible for generations.

Smith said the new facility "will be funded through private philanthropy and grants" and will "become self-sustaining within the first three years."

"For us, supporting Legacy in Motion is about helping position Stuhr Museum for long-term sustainability and perpetual relevance," said Andy Marsh, who serves on the Legacy in Motion campaign cabinet with his wife, Erin. "It's about making sure this incredible institution doesn't simply survive into the future, but flourishes."

Access for everyone
The $5 million Admission Reserve will provide complimentary admission to Stuhr Museum for all Nebraska residents in perpetuity, permanently removing cost as a barrier for families, students and visitors across the state. With about 12% of Nebraska children living in poverty, the museum also aims to double the number of school-age children it serves each year, from 10,000 to 20,000.

Smith said the Admission Reserve "makes admission free for every Nebraskan while positioning Stuhr Museum to more than double its admission revenue over time."

"Free for Nebraskans. Stronger for it," she said.

Marsh described the campaign's promise as "access for everyone, free admission for every Nebraskan, so a family's budget never decides whether their kids get to experience this place."

Stuhr Museum's mission is to share the collective human experience of community building along the Platte River Valley. Executive Director Chris Hochstetler said the campaign is that mission carried forward.

"What this campaign makes possible is more of that. More people and more kids through our gates for free, regardless of what their family can afford," Hochstetler said. "This isn't a side project. Legacy in Motion is the museum in motion. It's not separate from our mission; it is our mission."

Hochstetler added that the museum and Foundation are moving together. "In the past few years, we've doubled our investment in this place, in our programs, our people, and in how we tell these important stories," he said. "We're growing, we're in lockstep with the Foundation, and we're ready to rise to everything this campaign makes possible."

A community asset for Grand Island and Hall County
The historically inspired, 20,000-square-foot, climate-controlled facility will sit at the center of the museum's 208-acre grounds, overlooking Railroad Town and the Marval Hornady Family Arbor. It will include a 600-seat dining room, a 5,000-square-foot veranda, two conference rooms and two dedicated suites, with a total occupancy of 793. It is also designed to serve as an emergency storm shelter for nearly 600 people.

The space will host lectures, hands-on workshops and interactive learning, along with weddings, conferences and community gatherings. Grounds improvements supporting the project are already underway, including a city services connection completed in 2025 and fully funded high-speed fiber internet.

Stuhr Museum already contributes an estimated $13.6 million in annual economic impact across Hall County. The new facility is expected to expand that reach by drawing year-round events and out-of-region visitors who eat, stay, shop and explore in the greater Grand Island area, strengthening local tourism.

"As lifelong residents of Grand Island, we care deeply about this community and the legacy we leave behind," said Marsh. "Stuhr Museum is one of our community's greatest treasures. It tells the story of who we are, where we came from, and the people whose hard work, courage, and vision helped shape our home."

Campaign leadership
Legacy in Motion is led by campaign chairs Amy and Dave Ostdiek. Members of the campaign cabinet are Jordan and Mark Allen, Katie and Dr. John Goering, Erin and Andy Marsh, and Kristen and Matt Maser.

About Stuhr Museum
Stuhr Museum, located at 3133 W. U.S. Highway 34 in Grand Island, shares the collective human experience of community building along the Platte River Valley. Its 208-acre grounds include Railroad Town and 142 historic and modern structures and collections assets.

About the Stuhr Museum Foundation
The Stuhr Museum Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that exists to support Stuhr Museum by advancing its efforts, nurturing its creativity, strengthening its capacity and investing in the preservation and ongoing maintenance of its campus.