In Nevada, cultural history and outdoor activities are distinct areas of interest. The Bushwhacker Museum preserves memories of Vernon County; south of the city, a golf course winds through the Osage Prairie. There are also student-led tours, performances and insights into local industrial history. You can tailor your stay to the topics that interest you most.
Museum, Art and History
The Bushwhacker Museum brings regional history together with an extensive exhibition space of more than 10,000 square feet. The objects on display include artifacts from the American Civil War. Visitors can also tour the restored living quarters of the jailer's family. Together, these exhibits give the museum a strong connection to the history of Vernon County.
The Nevada Missouri Tourism Center is also a place to find local information and culture. It provides maps and information for vacation travel and is located in a renovated, preserved Carnegie library building. At the center, you can also view exhibitions by the Vernon County Arts Council. Travel information, art and the history of the building come together here in one place.
Founded in 1884, Cottey College offers student-led walking tours. Those interested in a college's history and life on campus will find a different focus here than in the regional museum exhibitions. The tours take place within a set time window that you can factor into your plans.
Nevada's industrial history includes the W. F. Norman Corporation. Machines as old as the company itself are still running in its Nevada factory. The Hi-Art® product line uses original dies dating from 1898. These details point to different aspects of the company's history: the continued use of old machines and the origin of the dies for a particular product line. They do not indicate that public factory tours are available.
For performing arts, the Community Council on Performing Arts invites the public to its performances; the organization began in 1973 in Nevada, Missouri. The Fox Playhouse hosts plays, musicals and concerts, among other events. The different formats can help guide you if you would like to focus your visit more on theater, music or a varied cultural program. The format descriptions do not specify particular performances.
Golf and Time Outdoors
The Frank E. Peters Municipal Golf Course is an 18-hole championship golf course. From the back tees, it measures more than 6,600 yards. The course winds through more than 200 acres of Osage Prairie south of Nevada, Missouri. This description brings together three clear features: the number of holes, the length from the back tees and the open landscape through which the course runs.
Nevada's park system includes ten parks. Fishing is permitted at Walton Lake, subject to the rules and regulations of the Missouri Department of Conservation. If you plan to fish, these rules are among the practical considerations. The number of parks and the lake add another way to spend time outdoors alongside the cultural attractions, without implying a specific hiking route or access to other activities.
Plan Your Visit
The Bushwhacker Museum is open for tours from May 1 through October 31, Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Student-led tours at Cottey College take place Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Since these time windows differ, it's worth checking them against your daily plans in advance. For performances by the Community Council on Performing Arts or at the Fox Playhouse, the listed formats offer guidance but do not specify a particular event date.
For the overall travel guide: Vernon County.
