Bess Streeter Aldrich House & Museum
204 East F Street
Elmwood, Nebraska 68349
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Kurk Shrader
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A knowledgeable guide will take guests on a tour through the beautiful 100-year old prairie mansion home of Nebraska Hall of Fame author Bess Streeter Aldrich. Guests learn about the author and her writings, the history of the home, and get a taste of what life was like when Mrs. Aldrich lived there (1922-1946). "The Elms," (Aldrich's pet name for the property), has many original furniture pieces, current exhibit items, interesting Aldrich memorabilia, and some artifacts related to Elmwood's history. The Aldrich House is walker-accessible on the first floor, and a video of the upstairs can be shown to those who can't navigate the stairs.
Our character actress can be added to upscale your tour. She will meet the group as Bess Streeter Aldrich, and she offers several options: a book review, a tour of her home, and/or the serving of tea and Lady Baltimore Cake. The character actress has received rave reviews and is currently also an approved speaker for Humanities Nebraska!
We have a separate museum that can be added to the tour (approximately 1/2 hour of additional time). There, guests can view a video, view Aldrich artifacts, and see original art and an Aldrich manuscript.
The gardens are named after Mrs. Aldrich's books, and they are beautifully suited for outdoor events. A new mural created by 3 Girls and Mural of Colorado was dedicated in 2026 and offers a beautiful 3-pane scene to engage the viewer. There are five activities that are accessible with QR Codes (an interview with the artist, writing activities, art activities, an explanation of the flowers, and a seek/find activity). The church next door provides a rain site for large groups, and the Women's Group provide delicious meals, teas, and desserts for guests.
Group Tour Options:
| TOUR NAME - Information | Price per person |
|---|---|
| BESS STREETER HOUSE TOUR | $5.00 |
| MEAL OPTION - What the meal includes. | Price per person |
|---|---|
| BOX LUNCH | $10.00 |
| MEAL, Served at church, the adjoining property | $15.00 |
| TEAS | $8.00 |
| DESSERTS AND DRINK | $5.00 |
| ADD-ON NAME - Information | Price per person |
|---|---|
| BESS STREETER MUSEUM TOUR - This option adds about 30 minutes to House Tour. The Aldrich Museum, located four blocks from the house at 221 South 4th St., includes a video and contains display cases of Aldrich memorabilia including letters written by the author, souvenirs from her movie, Cheers for Miss Bishop, family history pieces, and an original A Lantern in Her Hand manuscript, to name just a few items. | FREE |
| REGULAR TOUR, a knowledgeable guide provides a tour of the Aldrich home, 204 East F Street | $5.00 |
| CHARACTER GUIDE- an actress assumes of role of Bess Streeter Aldrich, circa 1946 | $3.00 |
| PACKAGE NAME - Information | Price per person |
|---|---|
| RIM OF THE PRAIRIE - Includes Regular Tour and Choice of a New Paperback | $20.00 |
| LANTERN IN HER HAND - Includes Character Tour and Choice of a New Paperback | $25.00 |
| Lunch with Bess, Includes a Meal, Character Performance, and Aldrich House Walk Through | $20.00 |
Group Tour/Bus Information:
Parking for the bus is available directly in front of the Aldrich House and at the city park across the street from the Aldrich House.
Confirm pricing at time of booking as prices are subject to change.
