arbor lodge state historical park

After reading some of these reviews they make it sound like it's not worth.going to see. But it is. My husband And I if not every year we go every other year. I'm sorry for the people that don't get to see the in side because I thought it was quit beautiful. They keep fixing up more and more rooms. I've been lucky enough to see them. they close the house for the winter. I'm not sure when they close it. But if your not planning to go,again. you should try in September. But the house closes at 5:00pm. As far as no one working I've never seen that myself. I went last year.So I don't know if we will go this but last year I got to see new rooms they opened. take a chance if If its open you will enjoy it. If I go this year maybe they have opened some new rooms.. My husband even likes going.. Dee Smith Pettit

the mansion and carriage house was closed for the season when we got there,, I did notice there was a lot of garbage strewn around the grounds, guess the employees are off during the off season time ???? we did drive around, and thought the park was quite lovely, it was a shame the two places we wanted to see was closed :-(

I really did enjoy hiking around the Arbor Day farm, it was the highlight to our trip. I recommend more for families with kids 3+

I was sad to see the grounds and mansion of this historic site in such disrepair. There were several park employees standing around the park office but they weren't doing anything even though it looked like there was so much work that needed to be done on the mansion and around the grounds/gardens. I'd like to know, too, why the grounds are closed to the public? It seems Nebraska City would like to encourage visitors to stop and enjoy the grounds and trees even if the mansion is closed. Looks to me like the people in charge of this beautiful and historic site need to turn Arbor Lodge over to people who care about protecting and preserving this special place because it looks so run down and uncared for now.

The day we were there one could view the Lodge (a 52-room historic house) for $5 each and there were also various demonstrations of crafts, etc. We paid $5 for the car to get in. There are very nice grounds for walking. There is also a stables converted to hold horse drawn carriages of various vintages--one a Chicago horse drawn taxi.

This a a very nice 52 room mansion. Now owned & maintained by the state, Admission was only $5.00 for adults & $2.00 for kids. We liked the self guided tour but you need to read the info posted by the displays. The staff were very helpful & answered all of our questions. Allow a couple of hours if you want to walk the grounds also. As it is a state park you need a park pass for your car. The cost of the pass is $5.00.

We arrived near closing time (our fault) but the caretaker "Fox" who has been at the Lodge for over 40 years still allowed us to visit both the carriage house and the tack room as well as visit the grounds at our leisure. The carriages and pictures which contain the history of the transportation used back in those days, is interesting and in a building that has been preserved and made better over the years. The fish pond and the statues are fun to see while strolling the grounds. I believe that the Games and Park Commission are fully taking over the Mansion, which I think is sad, as the caretakers have become as important to the park and tours, as the Mansion and grounds itself. This history of J.Sterling Morton, Arbor Day, and the very history of Nebraska is contained within the park, and I would hope that those important stewards who have lovingly cared for the buildings and surroundings, would continue to grace the grand park with their graciousness, knowledge and love of the history that needs to be preserved and someday, in the future passed onto other caretakers who will also tend to it so wonderfully. It is a great way to spend even half of the day while you're in town for the Applejack Festival or any other day. The rooms of the mansion and the exhibits are informatived and educational and should be seen by everyone from Nebraska who honors history.

Self guided tour which left you to assume the history of the mansion. There was a brief video which I think was snagged from the A&E show American Castles or maybe a PBS special. Way too expensive for what was offered. Nice drive from Omaha and if you are going there anyway not a horrible way to spend an afternoon.

Beautiful - architecture and arboretum. Arbor Day - the world's non-political and non-sectarian holiday. Worth time - and across The Arbor Foundation has a super Tree Adventure for all ages and apple pie!!!

Lots of fun for young, old, and everyone in-between! There were surprises around every bend of the nicely laid out path. We forgot bug spray, but were not bothered by them.

Large and historic home, well preserved and presented. The staff was pleasant and the grounds are lovely. I have been many times over the years and it is always a good time

I LOVE older homes that show how people lived in earlier generations. Arbor Lodge is a 52-room mansion that was built around the original two-room log cabin built by J. Sterling Morgan, founder of Arbor Day.The home is well-maintained and the tour is self-guided, which I loved. It began by watching a 15-minute video in the sunroom. Almost all of the house is available to view, with the exception of the fourth-floor access to the rooftop overlook and the portion of home used as quarters for the park superintendent.

We went on a self-guided tour of this house. The video was interesting and informative and the tour through the house was nice, but I was put off by the lady accepting the entrance fees. When people asked her questions, she answered mockingly, using her hands to make quotes when she used the word "historical". She exhibited no pride in the fabulous home and offered no history. She was enthusastically unimpressed with the home. It was strange. It's almost a disservice for it not to be a guided tour with tales of the occupants. Beautiful home, lovely grounds. The gardens were not maintained however, and what a pity that is. In font of the home is a tall, dead tree, such a shame for the founder of Arbor Day.

Mansion is worth checking out. There are picnic tables and playground for kids so pack a picnic basket.

They really should make a movie about Mr. Mortan and his life. The house and the stories within are beautiful and fascinating. The Mortan family was such an important part of U.S. History. I hope the house and it's grounds are perserved for visitors long into the future.