Overland Trail Museum Brings Christmas on the Prairie to Sterling
The Overland Trail Museum in Sterling is staging its annual Christmas on the Prairie open houses this December, offering free, family friendly holiday programming and school oriented educational activities. The events strengthen the museum role as a local history resource, boost weekday visitation during a slow season for rural attractions, and bring additional foot traffic to downtown Sterling.
The Overland Trail Museum, located on the Logan County fairgrounds just outside downtown Sterling, is hosting its annual Christmas on the Prairie open houses on multiple Mondays in December to provide families with extra chances to attend. The free events feature period decorations, live holiday music, hot cider and cookies, rides on Santa’s firetruck, docent led tours of reconstructed and preserved buildings, and hands on activities for children. The museum campus includes artifact displays and a High Plains education center used for school field trips and community programming.
For local residents the holiday programming serves both cultural and practical purposes. The museum is the county primary local history institution, preserving pioneer household items, agricultural implements and archival photos that support family history research and school curricula in RE 1 Valley and surrounding school districts. By mobilizing volunteers and local cultural groups the holiday open houses help sustain weekday visitation when rural attractions normally see fewer visitors. That weekday traffic also spills into downtown Sterling on event evenings, providing an economic lift for small shops and restaurants.
The museum emphasizes accessibility for school programming and encourages teachers and community groups to arrange visits in advance so staff or volunteers can prepare guided tours. Winter hours are typically reduced compared with summer, and the museum posts event schedules, special hours notices and admission guidance on its website and through Logan County Chamber calendars. Parking is available on site and some winter events provide indoor spaces for warming and handicapped access where available.
Beyond the holiday season the Overland Trail Museum remains a draw for tourists traveling on Interstate 76 and a continuing educational partner for local organizations. Its permanent exhibits and the High Plains education center supply low cost or free programming that keeps regional history accessible to area youth. Families interested in attending a Christmas on the Prairie open house or arranging a school visit should check the museum website or the chamber calendar for exact dates, hours and reservation instructions.
