History of the Bancroft Museum

The Depot Museum is one of the two surviving depots that served the KCWNW Railroad from 1887 through 1919. In 1993 a group of interested present and former Bancroft residents began forming the Bancroft Preservation Association (affiliated with the Nemaha County Historical Society) to develop a plan for saving and exhibiting materials related to the Bancroft community. The donation of the Depot and the land by interested local residents provided the Bancroft Preservation Association (BPA) with the resources needed for the housing of Bancroft's history. In November, 1994, the Depot was moved to its present location from a farm one-half-mile east of the small community and work began on restoration.

Funds for the project were obtained through sales of antique bricks from the school, personalized bricks for the "Memory Brick Patio," and donations. At that time the "population" of the town was six people but the members of BPA had faith in the feelings of good will toward the school and community that many former residents harbor. This faith was upheld as individuals responded to the requests promoted in the BPA newsletter-the Bell and Whistle. Over $7,000 was received during the first year.

Using the money to pay for materials and equipment for moving and placement and using hours and hours of donated labor time the project went forward and the Bancroft Depot Museum was officially opened on Memorial Day Week-End of 1995. Over two hundred visitors came for the Grand Opening, most of whom had some tie to the community and to the project. Many of them continue to return at the annual re-opening each Memorial Day Week-End, and if they cannot attend then, they visit during the summer or fall.

Other visitors include railroad enthusiasts. Not only do they see the depot, but, inside they can see exhibits of railroad memorabilia, much of it related to the KCWNW. Telegraph line for the Wells Fargo and a desk saved from the railroad are also on display. And for visitors whose interests are more related to connecting with life in a simpler time, the exhibits of materials from the school and community are appealing.

Since the opening in 1995, the Bancroft Preservation Association annually sponsors two events during the May through October scheduled times of opening-a "Music at the Museum" evening the 3rd Saturday of July and a picnic the last Sunday in August. Christmas lights are added to the Museum to be enjoyed from Thanksgiving through New Years Day.

BPA continues to expand the development as interest, time and money allow. A "little house" has been moved in to be restored and serve as an additional exhibit area, and the 100+-year old church across the road can be visited upon request. Park lights have been added around the patio area and landscaping continues. More ground has been given to BPA and its members never seem to be lacking in picturing possible creative uses for it.

Although the town of Bancroft now has fewer than six residents and only one business, the members of BPA are trying to help visitors of the Museum connect with a time when two trains ran through daily, when a school, bank, post office, hardware store, lumber yard, hatchery, hotel, barber shop and other businesses were in operation and when the spirit of community pride and loyalty was begun that continues to this day.