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We want to thank the Museum of American Speed for hosting our visit. Rest assured all opinions are our own. 

Autos Hit the Road

In 1886, Carl Benz debuted his Benz Patent-Motorwagen, which is widely regarded as the birth of the car. Not surprisingly, one of the first arranged races took place the next year. These early gasoline-powered vehicles were much slower than today’s, but people also faced unpaved road courses. I can almost imagine the bumpy rides they faced, as they flew down the course at speeds of up to 10 mph. In 1896, the first gas vehicle sped down the streets of Detroit at 20 miles per hour, dodging people and wagons. Before long, many others would join the field of automobile manufacturing, and cars would be found all across the country. As vehicle technology improved, vehicles were built for the purposes of consumer usage and racing. A brand’s ability to win major races would help sell its cars to the American public.

The Early Days of Racing

While European racing was performed on closed road courses, in America the preference was large oval tracks. These were designed to make viewing easier for spectators, propelling the sport’s popularity. Taking a page from bicycle and motorcycle racing, some tracks were constructed with wooden floors. This provided a smooth, fast surface. As America’s love affair with racing grew, a variety of racing styles appeared. Each category had its own specific rules and vehicle specifications. As soon as new rules were developed, you can bet that racing teams pushed the limits. As we toured the museum, it was intriguing to see how simple the motors of these early machines look in comparison to today.

Hot Rodding

While big-name teams were dropping huge amounts of money into track racing, Americans were looking for less expensive ways to get involved. After World War II, veterans found sport in racing down decommissioned aircraft landing strips. These long straightaways were perfect for short races and would become known as Drag Racing. The rules were simple; be the first to cross the finish line. While the distances would vary, 1/4 mile became a common length for many drag races. For those wanting to learn more about the early players in this sport, there is tons of information available. We didn’t have time to read it all, so you’ll want to block off at least a half day to explore this museum.

Drag Racing Icons

While veterans careened down airstrips, teenagers were racing on rural roads. America’s youth loved their cars and looked for ways to display their mechanical prowess. “Souped-up” autos would vie for bragging rights in mad-dash competitions. Once again, the 1/4-mile was a popular distance, as it was often the unit of measure for a rural block. It’s crazy to think that many of these hot rods could reach nearly 100 mph in that short distance. By the 1950s, drag strips were being built to provide a safe space for spectators to observe these matchups. It’s safe to say that America’s love affair with racing was growing at a record pace. The feeling of the wind on your face and the thrill of speed was becoming addictive.

Cars Permeate American Life

After automobiles first came on the scene, it wouldn’t take long for this new form of transportation to permeate American life. Pedal cars began appearing in the 1890s and were fashioned after actual vehicles seen on the roads. The expense of these models limited their usage to primarily wealthy families. The Great Depression only made them more out of reach for the average family. After WWII, the costs had balanced out with the growing family incomes. A resurgence of popularity blossomed and soon a myriad of styles flooded the market. I remember getting a pedal car for a birthday and falling head over heels in love with my “car”. If you have fond memories of these childhood toys, you will love visiting this museum.

Childhood Memories

As I grew older, the move was made from toys to models. I can still remember the hours spent piecing together these intricate copies. The Red Baron was always one of my most cherished funny cars and little did I know that there was an actual full-size version. You can imagine my delight when this bad boy popped into view. Sure enough, sitting right next to it is the Boothill Express, which was another favorite of mine. I’m not sure what Crystal thought about all of these funny cars, but I know that she loves the torque of a fast motor as much as I do.

Racing Royalty

As we continued through the museum, we were impressed with the sheer volume of vehicles that they have assembled. Whether you are a fan of Open Wheel, Indy, Model T, or Land Speed vehicles, you’ll find plenty of each. Each gallery holds something new and before long our heads were reeling. We never realized how many variations could be made from the Flathead Ford engine. The museum staff has included cutaway versions to help educate visitors on the intricacies of each design. It was easy to follow the progression of power as we moved forward in time.

Museum Memorial

The Museum of American Speed is a family endeavor. Begun by Bill and Joyce Smith, their four sons were happy to be involved. The racing bug bit Bill at a young age and he would end up a formidable opponent for other racers. During his life, he would steer sprint, AIS Indy, Pikes Peak, and Bonneville autos to victory. The family’s collections took decades to assemble and they proudly share them with the public. When they lost their son Clay, a memorial was designed with his collection of around 600 lunch boxes. Moving through the 3 floors of galleries, we quickly realized that this family is serious about collecting. In fact, during our visit, they were in the midst of constructing a new exhibit space. When completed, it will double their current space.

America’s Love Affair with Racing

Our visit was in the 3-hour range and we could have easily doubled it. The Museum of American Speed is a labor of love from a family with deep roots in the racing world. We spent much of our time imagining the thrill of tooling down a racetrack in one of the countless vehicles. To say that this is one of the most extensive collections we have seen would be an understatement. This place has to be seen to be truly appreciated. It is clear that America’s love affair with racing is alive and kicking as much today as at any time in history.

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We want to thank Lincoln CVB and Honest Abe’s for hosting our visit. Rest assured all opinions are our own. 

Cut to the Point

When I was researching Lincoln eateries, this one popped up more than once. Seeing a burger joint getting rave reviews intrigued me. After a little deeper dive, it was decided that Honest Abe’s Burgers needed to be added to our list. After all, it checked all of the boxes that we look for in a meal stop. Their downtown location is near the Nebraska History Museum, so it was easy to fit it into our schedule. After a busy morning at the farmers market and museum, our appetites were revved up and ready to be satisfied.

Bird’s Eye View

Stepping through the front door, we were greeted by a slew of Abe images. This happens to be my all-time favorite president, so I have to admit to being overjoyed. Crystal could see the glee in me but tempered it with a reminder that we needed to eat something. After spending considerable time exploring the menu online, it was time to put our research to work. I had tried to imagine how some of the interesting flavor combinations would taste. As Abe would say, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” Time to get to work and decide which burgers we would order.

Honest Abe’s Burgers

Since we were in a category two burger joint, we wanted to sample something unique. Our first choice was the 1809. To make this sammie, they load up a traditional burger patty on a bed of pickled apples. Then they top this with loads of bacon, melted gouda cheese, and smoky honey mayo. Served with a heaping mound of Herb Seasoned Freedom Fries, this meal demanded recognition. Biting into this Honest Abe’s Burger brought a mouthful of zest and smoky goodness into play. Crystal and I have an unwritten agreement to share our plates so that we can each sample the flavors. There are times I finish my half and have become addicted to the flavor combination. This was one of those times.

Food with Attitude

For our second choice, we decided to step even farther down the zany flavor path. A burger with a name like Hammer of Thor certainly captures your attention. Read the ingredients and tell us if you’d try it. Start with another one of their delectable beef burger patties. Top it with griddled Brussel Sprouts, chipotle cream cheese, pepper jack cheese, and bacon mayo. It was far from normal and had just enough crazy to make it to our table. A side of some Freedom Tots added a potato variation. After wrapping up my half of the 1809, it was time to test this eccentric combination. The layers of flavors quickly ended my time of mourning, as this burger brings the whole house full of tastes. Well played, Abe.

The Good Life

We’ll be the first to admit that we haven’t spent enough time exploring Nebraska. This was our first time in Lincoln and we were finding it to be a flavorful experience. Honest Abe’s Burgers was a good example of the interesting approach that many of the local restaurants have taken with their menus. With a plethora of dining choices scattered around downtown, we knew that it would take multiple visits to sample even the tip of the iceberg. Fortunately, we were finding that our pre-visit picks were spot-on for great tastes. All of our research was making this another successful excursion. As Old Abe said, “Prepare for the chance that could come someday.”

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First People

While Nebraska territory’s history began in 1854, the lands were populated long before European explorers arrived. In prehistoric times, tribes like the Arikara and Pawnee called these lands home. The Arapahoe resided in western Nebraska for over 1000 years. The Cheyenne and Commanche lived more of a nomadic lifestyle and moved throughout the eastern side of the territory. During the 17th Century, the Omaha tribe migrated from the east, as more European settlers landed in the eastern portion of North America. Over a dozen indigenous tribes have called Nebraska territory home throughout history.

Hard Choices

Through our journeys, we have heard many stories about the relocation and elimination of indigenous people. Nebraska territory has its own stories to tell and one that captured our attention was that of Red Cloud. In the late 1800s, the Oglala Lakota leader would stand firm against the U.S. Army in a series of conflicts. One of these involved an 81-man detachment that was sent out to squash a war party. Using a decoy with an injured horse, (It was Crazy Horse who acted as a decoy.) he led the Army into an ambush by more than 2000 Native American forces. The results would be total antihalation of the Army troops. While the battle included multiple indigenous tribes, it would be labeled Red Cloud’s War by the U.S. Army. An investigation by the government showed that the hostilities had been brought on by the encroachment of settlers into Native American lands.

Temporary Exhibit

The Nebraska History Museum contains many other interesting stories, such as that of Red Cloud. While each one has its own merits, I was especially interested in the temporary exhibit on Women’s Suffrage in Nebraska. The third floor of the museum is a dedicated space for rotating exhibits. We like these types of installations, as they create an atmosphere of constantly changing displays. That means that the next time we visit, we will have something new to see, as well as permanent exhibits.

Fighting for Rights

History tells us that the 19th Amendment became law in 1920, but did you know that the Suffrage movement actually began around 1848? That means that for over 70 years, the fight for women’s right to vote was battled out across the growing nation. In that same period of time, 18 new states were added to our flag. In Nebraska, the fight for the right to vote began before the territory achieved statehood. After winning the ability to vote in local school board elections, in 1869, women set their sights on even bigger wins. A Nebraska referendum, in 1882, failed to pass by male voters.

Winning the Vote

This setback created a momentary silence in the Nebraska suffrage movement. During this same time period, many were fighting for Prohibition, which tended to take focus away from the voting rights issue. Instead of giving up, they decided to go after another smaller victory. The Nebraska Woman Suffrage Association fought for the right to vote for city officials. They would find this battle would force them to clash with religious leaders, as well as liquor interests. Once again, male voters squashed their attempt. Finally, in 1919, Nebraska legislators voted unanimously to ratify the 19th Amendment, which ensures women the right to vote.

White Man’s World

While that was a huge victory, it still left people prohibited from the voting booth. In 1868, the 14th Amendment secured voting rights for all males, “regardless of race, color, or previous condition of servitude”. This sounded promising, but the reality was that many states found devious ways to prevent black males from voting. When the right for women to vote was finally a law, the restrictions that black males found were also levied against black women. Indigenous people also faced restrictions when it came to voting rights. The rights for all to vote would not be complete until the mid-1960s.

Visiting Nebraska History Museum

The stories that we discover during our travels are the fuel that makes us desire to see more of the world around us. Each state, city, and town is filled with unique tales from the past and present. Our visits to capital cities are like the icing on the cake when it comes to learning a state’s history. Lincoln is no exception and the Nebraska History Museum is a good resource for getting an overview of how they got to where they are today. By including interactive displays within their exhibits, they make learning fun. How well do you know your state’s history?

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