Joslyn Castle & Gardens

Public Tour
2025-07-24 12:30 - 14:00, 2025-07-23 12:30 - 14:00, 2025-07-21 12:30 - 14:00, 2025-07-20 12:30 - 14:00, 2025-07-18 12:30 - 14:00, 2025-07-17 12:30 - 14:00, 2025-07-16 12:30 - 14:00, 2025-07-14 12:30 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) and 4 more dates | Joslyn Castle & Gardens, 3902 Davenport Street, Omaha, NE, 68131, United States
Be our guest as we swing the Joslyn Castle doors open for public historical tours. No reservations required, just show up!

Step back in time to the stunning estate of Omaha’s first millionaires, George and Sarah Joslyn. Learn about their fascinating story and impact on Omaha while you stroll through their Scottish Baronial mansion and 5.5 acre grounds.

Tour Details

The tour includes a 14 minute video, and an hour long walking tour of the three levels of the Castle.

An elevator is available for guests with mobility issues.

Tours are held at 12:30pm with no advance ticket purchases or reservations required.

Tickets are $20.00 for adults, and $17.00 for students, seniors, or military with ID. Children 5 and under are free.

The front door of the Castle opens 15 minutes before tour start time.

Contact Information

mmccarthy@joslyncastle.com

402-595-2199

Public Tour
2025-07-24 12:30 - 14:00, 2025-07-23 12:30 - 14:00, 2025-07-21 12:30 - 14:00, 2025-07-20 12:30 - 14:00, 2025-07-18 12:30 - 14:00, 2025-07-17 12:30 - 14:00, 2025-07-16 12:30 - 14:00, 2025-07-14 12:30 - 14:00 and 3 more dates
Be our guest as we swing the Joslyn Castle doors open for public historical tours. No reservations required, just show up!

Step back in time to the stunning estate of Omaha’s first millionaires, George and Sarah Joslyn. Learn about their fascinating story and impact on Omaha while you stroll through their Scottish Baronial mansion and 5.5 acre grounds.

Tour Details

The tour includes a 14 minute video, and an hour long walking tour of the three levels of the Castle.

An elevator is available for guests with mobility issues.

Tours are held at 12:30pm with no advance ticket purchases or reservations required.

Tickets are $17.00 for adults, and $15.00 for students, seniors, or military with ID. Children 5 and under are free.

The front door of the Castle opens 15 minutes before tour start time.

Contact Information

mmccarthy@joslyncastle.com

402-595-2199

Once Upon a Time at the Castle: Omaha Public Library Storytime
2025-07-21 17:30 - 18:30
Every third Monday step into a world of literary wonder at Joslyn Castle & Gardens with our friends from the Omaha Public Library.

FolkHouse at the Castle: The Foxgloves
2025-07-20 19:30 - 22:00
Join us in the historic Joslyn Castle Carriage House for a night of folk music with The Foxgloves!

FolkHouse at the Castle: The Foxgloves
The Foxgloves In ConcertLocated in the Carriage House at Joslyn Castle3902 Davenport St., OmahaSunday, July 20thDoors at 7:00, show at 7:30
The Foxgloves are an all women Americana/newgrass band from Minneapolis. Their high energy performances, heartfelt storytelling, four-part harmonies, and musical depth have swept them onto big stages throughout the region, including Blue Ox Music Festival, First Avenue Mainroom, and Big Top Chautauqua. This powerful band is making moves you’ll want to witness.

Fit for the Fete
2025-07-18 18:00 - 21:00
Enjoy cocktails and vintage vendors with a free history presentation on Edwardian fashion and the first Fete at Joslyn Castle!

In anticipation of the Joslyn Castle Summer Fete in August, we invite you to enjoy an evening of cocktails, vintage clothing vendors and a history presentation about Edwardian lawn party fashion and the first ever Summer Fete that took place at Joslyn Castle on August 24, 1897.

This is a perfect time to get outfit inspiration or find that special piece of vintage clothing to wear to the Summer Fete on August 16th! Vendors will offer a selection of true vintage and vintage inspired pieces in a range of sizes that fit the mood of the Fete.

This FREE event is open to the public, registration is kindly requested. This event will take place in the historic Joslyn Castle Carriage House from 6-9pm.

Architecture on Tap: Benson
2025-07-17 18:00 - 19:30
Join us as we explore our fascinating neighborhoods at Omaha’s favorite history happy hour!

Joslyn Castle & Gardens presents Architecture on Tap, a celebration of the historic communities and people that make Omaha unique.
Architecture on Tap is a happy hour history hang-out happening Thursdays in July! Grab a beer from Infusion Brewing Company in the historic Joslyn Castle Carriage House and then settle in for a low-key lecture presented by a local expert.
The story of Benson starts way back in 1887 with Erastus Benson, a land speculator, investor, and philanthropist. He purchased 900 or so acres of land from Edward Creighton, an Omaha businessman. On March 4, 1887, Erastus platted the land and called it Benson Place, later changing it to Benson.
Today, Benson is a creative hub, that comes alive as a night-life destination due to its concentration of restaurants, bars, a theatre, galleries, and music venues. In addition to these creative happenings,the local schools, churches, library, community center, and local residents that keep the neighborhood welcoming and alive.
Our presenters are:
Ryan Reed, Heritage Consulting Group – Ryan is a Project Manager with Heritage Consulting Group specializing in writing National Register nominations and securing historic tax credits for projects big and small across the country. In his spare time Ryan likes making friends with stray cats and roaming graveyards.
Annie Butler, Benson Creative District Director – Annie has served on the board for BFF Omaha (formerly Benson First Friday) since it’s inception in 2012, she has strong ties to both the arts and the Benson community at large.
In her previous role as BFF’s Advocacy chair, she utilized the arts and BFF’s platform to advocate for various social causes. Some of her curated projects include the “Call to Action Phone-Booth,” a temporary public art piece designed to encourage advocacy and communication between citizens and government, and “Voices of Choice”, a project in collaboration with Nebraskans for Abortion Access where artworks by 10 local artists were displayed on billboards across the state. With a background in Sociology, she brings a unique perspective and human approach to place-based economic development.
Architecture on Tap is presented in partnership with Humanities Nebraska and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment, Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation, Hanscom Park Studio, and Infusion Brewing Company.
Doors open to the public at 5:30pm, and presentations start at 6pm. We will meet in the LIBRARY of the Joslyn Castle.
Space is limited! Registration is $10 and this is a 21+ event!

Castle & Cathedral District Art Walk
2025-07-17 17:00 - 20:00
Every third Thursday in the Castle & Cathedral District along 40th Street, between Dodge and Cuming Streets.

Architecture on Tap: Florence
2025-07-10 18:00 - 19:30
Join us as we explore our fascinating neighborhoods at Omaha’s favorite history happy hour!

Joslyn Castle & Gardens presents Architecture on Tap, a celebration of the historic communities and people that make Omaha unique.
Architecture on Tap is a happy hour history hang-out happening Thursdays in July! Grab a beer from Infusion Brewing Company in the historic Joslyn Castle Carriage House and then settle in for a low-key lecture presented by a local expert.
To kick off our 2025 series, we welcome a panel of representatives from the vibrant and historic neighborhood of Florence in North Omaha.
Florence Historical Foundation: The 501(c)3 non-profit organization works to maintain and display the historic Florence Depot, the Florence Bank, the Florence Fire Company, and the Florence City Hall.
Florence Mill: The Florence Mill is an architectural relic and community hub at the intersection of North 30th St. and Interstate I-680. Today the mill serves as a museum, gallery, community hub, and the site of the Florence Mill Farmers Market.
The Notre Dame Convent: The Notre Dame Convent is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Czech order of Notre Dame Sisters purchased Seven Oaks Farm from Father Edward Flanagan. It was the original site for Boys Town. The first phase of the original convent and school was constructed in 1924 by Omaha Architects Matthew Lahr and Carl Stangel and added to in subsequent years. Beginning in 1997, the Sisters began converting it to affordable independent housing for older adults which now includes 107 apartment units.
Winter Quarters Temple: The Winter Quarters Nebraska Temple was the first temple built in Nebraska. Made of bethel white granite, it is a sister building to the Snowflake Arizona Temple. Elder Bill Lawler will give a presentation on the Temple.
Tim Reeder, Omaha History Farm: Preserve Omaha board member and local historian Tim Reeder purchased the former Grenville Brothers Fruit Farm and nursery and is undertaking a massive preservation to the historic site. He hopes to turn it into an activated community resource center for those seeking a connection to Omaha history.
Architecture on Tap is presented in partnership with Humanities Nebraska and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment, Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation, Hanscom Park Studio, and Infusion Brewing Company.
Doors open to the public at 5:30pm, and presentations start at 6pm.
Space is limited! Registration is $10 and this is a 21+ event!

This Old Castle - Historic Properties: Research and Discovery
2025-07-09 18:00 - 19:30
Old home ownership is not for the faint of heart (trust us, we know!), but we’re here to help! Let’s learn together!

Old home ownership is not for the faint of heart (trust us, we know!), but we’re here to help!
We’ve teamed up with our friends at the Nebraska State Historical Society and Preserve Omaha to bring you a series designed to demystify maintaining and preserving your old home or building. Join us for This Old Castle as we learn from the best experts in town.
In July, we welcome you to join us for an interactive lesson on research tools available for those seeking more information on historic properties. Discover where to go to uncover the history of Omaha’s people and its places. Learn the secrets from two of the best in the biz: Shelley McCafferty and Kristine Gerber.
Shelley will guide us through the City of Omaha’s awesome Omaha Heritage Preservation website, including citywide research guides and interactive maps.
Kristine will share her own resources, and even lead a live historic property research exercise of one lucky attendee.
About Shelley McCafferty: Shelley McCafferty serves as the Preservation Administer for the City of Omaha and serves on the Omaha Landmark Heritage Preservation Commission. Having earned a Master of Architecture degree in 1996, she has over 20 years of experience in historic preservation as both a planner and architectural designer.
About Kristine Gerber: Kristine graduated from Kearney State College where her journalism major gave her a love of meeting people and telling their stories. For the past 25 years, Kristine has done just that by uncovering and sharing the history of Omaha and its built environment through publications, events, and advocacy work. Currently Kristine manages Omaha Public Schools Making Invisible Histories Visible program. She spends the summer teaching secondary students and social studies teachers how to research and share Omaha’s diverse history and during the school year writes social studies curriculum incorporating Omaha and Nebraska history into OPS classrooms.
