The Pony Express Station Museum will be opening for the season on April 03, 2022 - 162 years to the day of the first run of the Pony Express. We are so so appreciative of those who were able to stop in last year and visit us during another "unique" and "challenging" year.

Our non-profit organization continues our commitment to improving the museum and it's displays to enrich your experiences with us each & every year. Through your generous donations, gift shop purchases last year and a few grants we've been able to add several new historical displays to the museum. Our goal is to have all of  the "finishing touches" for these unique museum displays complete prior to our opening in April. We've also updated and added to the museum interior lighting to enhance the overall experience when your here. It's been a very busy, but also a very exciting off season!

If it's been a few years since you've been here please stop by and check us out when your passing through. And remember, admission to the museum is always free.

Swedish Crosses North of Gothenburg

We're open 7 days a week from April 3rd to October 24th. 

Please check our website www.ponyexpressstation.org

for museum hours 

George Walbye, world renowned bronze artist's work coming to the

 Gothenburg Pony Express Station.

For the past few years our non-profit organization has been searching for an artist who would be willing and able to create a unique, one of a kind bronze statue for the museum. In the fall of 2021 we were able to find that special someone who shared our vision. That being George Walbye a bronze sculptor from Loveland, Colorado.

George is an artist whose work authentically reflects life in the American West. He is a genuinely self-taught artist who draws deeply on memories of a way of life that is gradually disappearing from the American landscape.

George has sculptures in private and corporate collections in Europe, Canada, and the United States. His work was included in the “Living Arts: A Colorado Sampler” exhibition at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Life size installations such as “DR’s Saddle” and “Tennis Champion” can be found in Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, Arizona, and Texas. 

He is especially proud to be one of the group of five artists who envisioned and brought to realization the first "Sculpture in the Park" show in 1984 in Loveland, Colorado. He is one of only five artists who has been in every show since its inception. Loveland’s Benson Sculpture Park became a reality in 1985 and George’s piece, “High Plains Warrior/Wind Song” (pictured below) was the first sculpture to be installed. 

He has worked on and with the High Plains Arts Council from its founding, and serves as an occasional tour guide through Benson Sculpture Park. He has a unique perspective on the artists and history of the park.

We are extremely excited and pleased to have George bringing this project to life for us. George has already completed the original artwork and statue mold and it's been delivered to the bronze foundry in Loveland for casting. We expect the project to be completed sometime within 2022 and will update all as the work progresses.

The museum is operated by the Gothenburg Pony Express Association Inc. - a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of American history and the sharing of historical information with others. All donations and any/all potential profits received from merchandise sales are reinvested back into the museum. Admission to the museum is free!

Penny for your thoughts?

 Our penny press machine continues to be one of the most popular stops for all ages of visitors to the museum. For only 51 cents (we're happy to supply the penny), it's a fun, inexpensive way to record your visit to the station. In fact many "pressers" or "penny  smashers" will also purchase a penny passport or journal so they can store and display the multiple pressed pennies they've  acquired through their travels to other museums, National parks, or other entertainment venues. It's a great way to record some of your most fond travel memories. Check out the picture of the three penny options we offer at the bottom of this newsletter. Happy pressing!

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Pony Express Annual Re-Ride 

 June 6th to June 16th, 2022

You can share in a little bit of American West history by having your own personal letter (or a souvenir letter) delivered by the 2022 National Pony Express Association Re-Ride. This year, the scheduled ride will travel from the east starting at St. Joseph, MO heading west and ending in Sacramento, CA. The riders are expected to be passing through our area sometime on June 8th. Your letter will be carried on horseback by over 700 riders along the original 1,966 mile Pony Express Trail in just 10 days. Pony Express commemorative letters highlight historical events, sites, and people of the Pony Express. Each envelope is hand-stamped with a special US Post Office cancellation.

You're welcome to watch their progress as they move the mail "lighting fast" during the event (a GPS unit is located within the mochilla).

For additional information, please click the link below:

Our gift shop features a "made in Nebraska" section offering unique items made right here in Nebraska. Check it out when you're here!  

There's your sign!

The Gothenburg Pony Express Station (Sam Machette Station) was originally located southwest of town on the Pony Express trail. In 1931 members of the local American Legion disassembled the original cabin log by log then carefully transported it to Gothenburg and reassembled it in its current location. It has been located in beautiful Ehmen Park for the past 91 years and has since become known by people from around the world as an iconic, historic symbol of the American West. 

Eventually, Gothenburg became known as the "Pony Express Capital of Nebraska" and has carried that title for a number of decades. The community proudly displays the pony rider symbol on local business signs, downtown office buildings, city vehicles, fire trucks and has even earned its spot on local police department patches.

The city of Gothenburg recently installed brand new metal Pony Express banners in an effort to help welcome visitors to the community. These banners were a gift from the Gothenburg Chamber's Tourism Committee and were installed on light poles located on both Highway 47 and the Lincoln Highway (Hwy 30) entering town.

These beautiful signs will be greeting visitors from all directions entering this friendly community for many years to come. Next time you're visiting, watch for the signs and consider yourself a very welcome guest!