Renovations to Robert Taylor house almost complete at Stuhr Museum

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) - A project years in the making for the Stuhr Museum is almost complete and ready for the public to see.

The Robert Taylor house has been in the possession of the museum since 2000, and until they received funding to restore the structure in 2019, it was located along Highway 281.

The funding allowed the museum to move the house across the property.

Robert Taylor, better known as the “The Sheep King,” was one of the most successful businessmen in Nebraska and was arguably the largest sheep owner in America.

The Taylor Ranch, where the house was originally built, was located in Hall County, north of Grand Island.

“A community’s health and welfare is really dependent upon its belief that history is important, and I believe that,” said Bonnie Smith, foundation executive director. “I believe in legacy, I believe that the families that lived here that have made such an incredible impact and difference within the community, should be remembered.”

What stands of the house today is only one-third of the original structure; the rest was torn down.

Stuhr Museum plans to use the space to provide experiences year round for the over 10,000 children they serve each year.

“We have been limited by the number of programs that we can provide because our structures in large part across the museum are historically accurate, meaning they don’t have heating and air conditioning, meaning that we have to adhere to Nebraska’s whem, which is the weather,” said Smith. “Having a structure such as this allows us to serve the community 365 days a year. It really provides us with additional opportunities to provide real, tangible, historical education.”

Outside of the house will be a sculpture of Taylor, along with a note to all the donors who made the renovation possible.

A dedication ceremony for the house is set for Saturday, May 31st, for more info click here.

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