The tiny village of Bartlett in Wheeler County is home to around 115 people and a world-class sculpture garden. You would never know the open-air art exhibit was there if you weren’t looking for it, but once you find it, you’ll wish you’d known about this hidden gem sooner.
Just outside the Wheeler County Museum sits the Mignery Sculpture Garden. This unique display is named after the artist who created the collection of bronze statues.
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Herb Mignery grew up just outside of Bartlett on a cattle ranch that had been in his family for more than a century. The sculptures are a gift to his hometown and a tribute to the brave, rugged souls who have made this land their livelihood.
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After serving in the US Army, Herb Mignery decided against returning to the family ranch. Instead, he wanted to dedicate the rest of his life to art. He worked as a commercial artist for a while, then dabbled in several media until he decided that cast bronze sculptures would be his life’s work.
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The bronze pieces all depict aspects of frontier living and cowboy life. Mignery’s goal is to let people know, through his art, that the American cowboy isn’t just the subject of history lessons and old literature. In fact, the traditions and the hard work are still going strong.
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Mignery is a member of the Cowboy Artists of America, a collective dedicated to commemorating the culture of the Old West through authentic artistic expressions. His works don’t idealize or romanticize the life of the rancher; they give a realistic look into the past and present lives of cowboys.
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All told, there are about 40 bronze sculptures here - a few life-sized and many that are smaller but just as impressive. They are surrounded by well-tended flower gardens that are absolutely beautiful in the summer.
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The Mignery Sculpture Garden is a gift from a native son who tells the story of the West through his beautifully detailed works of art. Mignery has created sculptures that now belong to both public and private collections around the world, and he continues to donate pieces to this display in Bartlett.
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This sculpture garden is said to be one of the largest collections of bronze statues in the country. If you stop by to look around, you’ll find a peaceful place to wander and reflect on Nebraska’s ranching heritage.
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Don’t be surprised if, during your visit, a friendly local man approaches you to give you more information about the statues. That will be Bob Nichols, a lifelong friend of Mignery and the caretaker of this very special place. If you’re lucky, you may just get a private guided tour of the display! The Mignery Sculpture Garden is free to visit and open all year.
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Have you ever wandered through this stunning display of Western art? Tell us what you thought about it in the comments!
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Address: Mignery Sculpture Garden, Bartlett, NE 68622, USA
