Preserve Omaha

07/22/2026

🎩✨ A little Omaha magic just received national recognition.

The House of Mystery, the historic home of famed illusionist David P. Abbott, has officially been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Built in 1914 at 3316 Center Street, the Craftsman bungalow was far more than a family home—it was a stage, laboratory, and gathering place for some of the world’s greatest magicians. Abbott designed the house with hidden features and ingenious mechanisms to create astonishing parlor illusions and séances, earning the home its legendary nickname. From 1914 until Abbott’s death in 1934, the house served as both his residence and the setting for performances that influenced generations of magicians. Even Harry Houdini was among the notable visitors who came to experience Abbott’s remarkable creations.

The National Register designation recognizes the House of Mystery for its significance in entertainment history, its association with David P. Abbott, and its innovative adaptation of a Craftsman bungalow into one of America’s most remarkable venues for the art of illusion.

Purchased by Teller (of Penn and Teller) and generously donated to the Omaha Magical Society, the House of Mystery continues to bring magic to Omaha. A well-deserved recognition!

07/16/2026

Tonight’s the night! Join us at Joslyn Castle & Gardens for this month’s Art Walk. Tonight’s event is extra special - it’s the opening of Omatopia: Versions of Omaha, a group art show featuring works from 17 local artists in the historic Joslyn Castle Carriage House Gallery. The Castle green space will host an Urbanism Summit, welcoming local organizations to share information on urban planning, alternative modes of transportation, historic preservation, sustainable living and beyond at the Art Walk vendor fair.

Preserve Omaha is proud to host a walking tour of the Castle & Cathedral District district during the Art Walk! Preserve Omaha board member and City of Omaha Historic Preservation Administrator Shelley McCafferty will lead a guided walking tour highlighting the Joslyn Castle Neighborhood architectural history and the stories behind these remarkable homes at 6:30. You won’t want to miss the tour, which offers a rare opportunity to step inside three incredible homes and experience the craftsmanship and character that define one of Omaha’s most treasured historic neighborhoods. See you tonight!

07/06/2026

Window work continues!

After the Preserve Omaha window workshop in May, residents of the Creighton Phi Chi medical fraternity reached out to The Jo(h)ns to help with the window restoration in their historic home. The residents of Phi Chi live in the Earl Buck residence at 38th and Dewey, which was originally a wedding gift from Gottlieb Storz to his niece, Louise, upon her marriage to Earl Buck. Built in 1916, the original windows are due for a tune-up to keep them lasting another 100 years. Work focused on a nonfunctioning bedroom window. John and Ethan got to work scraping old paint from the sash, repairing the muntins with epoxy, glazing, and installing weather stripping to get the window back in functioning order. With their efforts, the window has been saved and kept out of the landfill. We love to see it!

07/02/2026

Join us for the opening reception of the Omatopia group art show in the historic Joslyn Castle Carriage House Gallery during the July 16th Art Walk from 5-8pm. The Joslyn Castle & Gardens green space will host an Urbanism Summit, welcoming local organizations to share information on urban planning, sustainable living, alternative modes of transportation, historic preservation and beyond at the Art Walk vendor fair.

Preserve Omaha is proud to bring you a walking tour of the Castle and Cathedral Arts District during the Art Walk! Three historic homes in the beautiful Joslyn Castle Neighborhood will be open to the public, offering a rare opportunity to step inside and experience the craftsmanship and character that define one of Omaha’s most treasured historic neighborhoods. Preserve Omaha will lead a guided walking tour highlighting the neighborhood’s architectural history and the stories behind these remarkable homes at 6:30 on the 16th.

This is a free community event, and we hope you’ll join us at Joslyn Castle & Gardens for an evening of history, architecture, and neighborhood exploration.

06/30/2026

Preserve Omaha invites you aboard a one-of-a-kind journey through some of Omaha’s most fascinating Mid-Century Modern spaces!

Step inside Omaha’s Atomic Age.

This summer, Preserve Omaha invites you aboard a one-of-a-kind journey through some of Omaha’s most fascinating Mid-Century Modern spaces during Atomic Omaha: A Summer of Mid-Century Modern Bus Tour.

From dramatic rooflines and walls of glass to innovative design that still feels fresh decades later, you’ll explore remarkable homes that helped shape Omaha’s architectural story. This year’s tour includes two stunning Mid-Century Modern residences, plus a rare behind-the-scenes look inside the Leo A Daly architecture offices, including Leo Daly’s original apartment filled with incredible period details.

🚍 Tour 1: 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
🚍 Tour 2: 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Your adventure begins at Leo A Daly (8600 Indian Hills Drive), where you’ll board the shuttle and set off to discover some of Omaha’s architectural treasures.

Want to keep the conversation going?

Add the Cocktail Hour from 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM and mingle with fellow architecture enthusiasts, preservation supporters, and design lovers.

Whether you’re passionate about architecture, obsessed with all things Mid-Mod, or simply curious about the homes and spaces that define Omaha’s character, this is an experience you won’t want to miss.

📆 Sunday, July 19

🎟️ Tour Tickets:
$50 Preserve Omaha Members | $60 Non-Members

🍸 Cocktail Hour Add-On:
$25 Members & Nonmembers

Space is limited and these tours always generate excitement, so don’t wait too long to reserve your spot. Register today! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/atomic-omaha-a-summer-of-mid-century-modern-bus-tour-tickets-1992145162809?aff=oddtdtcreator

The Mid-Century Modern Home Tour, founded by Marty Hosking of Keller Williams Greater Omaha, is presented in partnership with Preserve Omaha.

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06/26/2026

🎉 Exciting preservation news!

Morton Meadows has officially been listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district!

Developed primarily between 1922 and 1942, the neighborhood tells the story of Omaha's westward growth during the interwar years. Its winding boulevards, mature tree canopy, historic streetlights, and remarkable collection of Tudor Revival, Craftsman, Cottage, and Minimal Traditional homes make Morton Meadows one of Omaha's most distinctive historic neighborhoods. Nearly half of the district's homes feature Tudor Revival architecture, creating the neighborhood's unmistakable character.

The designation recognizes the neighborhood's significance in community planning and architecture, with 428 contributing historic buildings preserving the character that has defined Morton Meadows for nearly a century.

Congratulations to the Morton Meadows Neighborhood Association , residents, historians, and everyone whose dedication helped make this designation possible. Thank you for helping preserve another important chapter of Omaha's story.

Congratulations, Morton Meadows!

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1. Morton Avenue and Walnut Street
2. Boundaries of the historic district, overlayed with the 1962 Sanborn map. It is bounded on the north by Poppleton Ave, on the east by S 42nd Street, on the south by Center Street, and on the west by S 48th Street.
3. South 46th Street, 1929
4. Twinridge Boulevard and Walnut Street, 1939

06/22/2026

Tomorrow night, Omaha’s Mid-Century Modern enthusiasts, trivia lovers, history buffs, and preservation supporters come together for an evening of fun at Mercury!

Whether you’re the person who can identify an architectural style from a single photo, know your Eames from your Saarinen, or just enjoy a good trivia challenge with friends, this night is for you.

Join Preserve Omaha for Mid-Century Modern Trivia in one of Omaha’s most iconic MCM spaces. Expect fascinating facts, local history, vintage design, friendly competition, and plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow preservation-minded Omahans.

🍸 Enjoy cocktails in a stunning Mid-Century setting

🏛️ Test your knowledge of architecture, design, and Omaha history

🤝 Meet fellow history and preservation enthusiasts

🏆 Compete for trivia glory and bragging rights

Come early, grab dinner downtown, support local businesses, and make a night of it.

📍 Mercury | 329 South 16th Street

📅 Tomorrow Night | Monday, June 22

Trivia starts soon—gather your team and join us for a celebration of the places, stories, and design that make Omaha unique.

See you tomorrow!

06/03/2026

Connect with other midtown business professionals tonight at Big Grove!

Join fellow midtown business professionals for an evening of great conversation and great drinks.

06/03/2026

Preservation in action!

After attending another This Old Castle workshop with The Jo(h)ns, Phia Gustafson reached out to Preserve Omaha for help repairing some of her original windows. Phia’s 100+ year old windows were non-operable and ready for a new life. Our board members John, Jon, and Jeremy (The Triple J, as we call them) put together a window workshop at Phia’s house to show other homeowners how to repair their historic windows to keep them out of the landfill and working for another 100+ years. Workshop attendees got a full day of hands-on experience, learning how to remove sash, strip paint, glaze, hang weights, and reinstall. Preservation isn’t always easy, but it is always worth the effort!

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