Minden, NE

[Coyote]

Renovations continue at Pioneer Village



MINDEN, Neb. (KOLN) - We recently visited the unique Nebraska tourism attraction in Minden known as “The Harold Warp Pioneer Village”, and we discovered a number of improvements are happening. One of the renovation projects involves the Valentine diner. “This diner is being fully restored,” Pioneer Village director William Ascarza said. “We have been working on this project since March of 2023, and there’s been so much happening with it. The diner dates back to 1947. It was manufactured in Wichita. It was brought to Nebraska and served several years of operation in Kearney before it was brought to the village in 1953 by Harold Warp. It probably served the village here at least until 2019 or 2020. Then it was closed. It needed to be repaired, and there was initiative among local volunteers to make this happen. What has occurred, is that it’s been totally gutted from the inside, all of the flooring has been replaced, with all new electrical and plumbing.”

The diner has been known to serve visitors inside the village because there is a west side access point. But, with the new renovations there is going to be an east side order window where people can come and get a burger and fries if they are not visiting the village. “People will be able to come by here and get lunch, even if they are not visiting the village,” Ascarza said. “So, we will be able to provide food to the community as well.”

[skinzfan23]

Haven't been to Pioneer Village in a long time (probably 25 years) I was thinking of going sometime this summer/fall. If they get the carousel done, that will be an even bigger incentive.

[nebugeater]

Haven't been to Pioneer Village in a long time (probably 25 years) I was thinking of going sometime this summer/fall. If they get the carousel done, that will be an even bigger incentive.

It is not what it was 25 years ago, but I think it has bottomed out and is on the road to recovery. My last visit was maybe two years ago. Before that, it was probably 15 years. It is a neat place and needs to be kept viable IMO.

don't expect what you saw 25 yr ago but I would suggest going just to take it in and hopefully have a reference point for where it is at to gauge what improves over the next few years.

Did you happen to see the Antique Archaeology episode that was done there maybe a year ago or so? If not go see if you can catch a repeat or see it streamed. I thought it was well done and interesting to watch, especially after having been there a few times.

[skinzfan23]

Yes, I did see the antique archaeology episode. I am assuming most of the static exhibits are probably the same (cars, inventions)?

[almighty_tuna]

Maybe I imagined it, but wasn't there some important historical or at least notable footnote about the airstrip there in Minden?