VIDEO COURTESY KSNB LOCAL 4

HASTINGS, NE — The Hastings Museum is leading the effort to celebrate 150 years of Hastings history.

2022 is the sesquicentennial for the city and Adams County. The museum's celebration lasted from 1:00-6:00 yesterday and included free admission, a book mobile, fire engine, yard games and history stations. While honoring the past, the museum debuted something new. It held a ribbon cutting for the new Outdoor Classroom.

“There is an epidemic that is running a cross the nation, of nature deficient disorder,” Museum Director Teresa Kreutzer-Hodson said. “Where kids are not connecting with nature and so we saw an opportunity to have this outdoor classroom to help connect kids to the outdoors. Giving them activities to help them think creatively and problem solve.”

Locals and visitors who didn't make the celebration can still reflect on the city's history. The Hastings 150 exhibit is open for the rest of the year.

The outdoor classroom will be open every weekend, weather permitting.