Photo © Courtesy of Museum of the Fur Trade
You might not expect to find one of North America’s most impressive historical collections on a quiet stretch of Highway 20 in Nebraska, but that’s exactly where it is. Before highways crisscrossed the continent and towns dotted the plains, North America was ruled by a different kind of commerce—one built on trust, barter, and beaver pelts. At the Museum of the Fur Trade in Chadron, Nebraska, this period of history is displayed in full force, with authentic artifacts and exciting stories.
Built on the Historic Bordeaux Trading
Post site, the museum is one of the only reconstructed buildings in the U.S. officially recognized by the National Register of Historic Places. While most trading posts were fleeting, gone within a season or two, Bordeaux lasted an impressive 40 years—from 1837 to 1876—making it a vital hub during the height of the fur trade.
A Treasure Trove of Artifacts
Inside, you’ll find a collection of over 8,000 artifacts, with roughly a third currently on display.
Everything you see represents a type of item that would have been (or even was) exchanged between Indigenous peoples and Europeans or Americans, from tools to furs and textiles, weapons, and decorative goods.
One of the most remarkable finds within these walls is the museum’s extensive collection of rare firearms, which houses over 300 guns and fragments. You’ll even find the iconic weapons of historic figures like Kit Carson, Tecumseh, and Young Man Afraid of His Horses.
The museum also holds the world’s largest and most complete collection of Northwest guns. These were guns made specifically for trade with the Indians between 1640 and 1911 and include the earliest known intact trade gun, made in the Netherlands before 1650.
Here’s an interesting fact: despite popular images of fur trappers and hunters, only 10 percent of fur trade items were actually hunting-related. Most trade was centered around textiles, and the museum doesn’t disappoint in this area either.
You’ll find the oldest known point blanket (dating to 1775) on display, with distinctive “points” woven in to indicate size. You can also see five cotton fabric samples personally selected by William Clark, of Lewis and Clark fame, for trade with Western tribes.
But the museum is home to even more rare and remarkable finds, including a near-perfect example of a cartouche knife, often found in archeological digs but rarely in pristine condition, and a chief factor’s sword, one of only two known in existence, which were presented to Hudson’s Bay Company governors—the only other known example is in Canada.
A Road Trip Worth Taking
Though nestled off the beaten path, the Museum of the Fur Trade has earned national and international recognition. It’s been a “diamond gem” in the AAA Tour Book for decades and was famously featured as a question on Jeopardy! in 2024. The museum has supported countless research efforts, lending expertise and photographs to the likes of National Geographic, Reader’s Digest, and even large-scale movie productions like The Revenant.
Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a cultural explorer, or just a curious traveler, the Museum of the Fur Trade is a must-see stop in western Nebraska.
Located just off Highway 20, it’s a road trip worth taking. Visit furtrade.org for hours, exhibits, and more.
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The Museum of the Fur Trade is dedicated to preserving the rich history of the North American fur trade by illustrating its diverse stories through the over 6,000 authentic artifacts on display.