By Annie Bohling
March 27, 2017

An event at the Nebraska State History Museum this week is arguably one of the most unique events celebrating Nebraska’s 150th birthday this year.

Steampunk After Hours, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, will feature steampunk-themed attire, entertainment, artifacts and food and beverages.

“1867 meets 2067 in this looking forbackward evening with odd artifacts, arcane amusements, food, drink and costume prizes,” reads the description for the event. “Get your gears & goggles together…”

Steampunk is considered a science fiction genre that has a historical setting, typically featuring steampowered machinery, but with modern twists and quirks added.

“You kind of have two different time frames,” said the museum’s Curator of Education Sharon Kennedy. “You have your sort of industrial, Victorian era and your sci-fi or your futuristic era.

“This (event) was happening at the same time as we are celebrating the sesquicentennial of Nebraska’s statehood. We wanted to look back at 1867 – that was the Victorian era – but we wanted to look ahead at the future, too.”

That’s where the idea for the theme of the party came from, after discussion by the museum’s volunteer committee comprised of community members.

Attendees are encouraged to dress to the theme, as prizes for best dressed will be given away

“I expect to see corsets, furs, boas, canes, top hats,” Kennedy said. “Maybe some goggles. Monocles.”

An exhibit of sorts will be set up for the event, with museum items such pinhole cameras, Victorian clothing and instruments. Kennedy said there are some other unique items that will be surprises.

“We have really fun stuff,” she said.

The Rangbrook Ensemble (of Omaha) will perform.

“They’re kind of an edgy, avant-garde, classical group,” Kennedy said.

The Rangbrook Ensemble is a professional string chamber ensemble that plays classical and contemporary music.

A 1902 silent, black-and-white French film with the translated title “A Trip to The Moon,” will also show at the party Thursday.

“And we’ll have mini talks in the galleries if people want to hear them and learn a little bit about our statehood,” Kennedy said.”

There will also be hat making and a photo booth at the event. While all ages are welcome, those over 21 will be offered an orange herbal cocktail, called the Orange Abby, made for the event. Employees of The Mill will be at the party, steaming milk and crafting coffee drinks.

Tickets for Steampunk After Hours are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.

“That pays for the food, drink, coffee and everything else,” Kennedy said. “We hope to break even. We want to offer a fun evening. This is certainly not a fundraiser.”

The party will be in the museum’s collections area, which is not usually open to the public.

Kennedy said the downtown Lincoln museum recently started planning after-hours events twice a year. The first one was in the fall and was themed “atomic age.”

“We had a great turn-out at the first one,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy said the after-hours events are aimed at everyone in the community, but especially downtown employees, residents and students.

For tickets, contact Kennedy at 402-471-4445 or sharon.kennedy@nebraska.gov.. Visit the event page < a href=”https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10155246695381802&set=gm.1405072206226420&type=3&theater.”>on Facebook..

Annie Bohling is one of KZUM’s tireless interns.