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Fremont Creative District
The Fremont Creative District encompasses the historic downtown of Fremont, Nebraska. Downtown Fremont is home to a number of longstanding cultural, commercial, and civic buildings and offers a range of activities that appeal to residents and college students, as well as regional visitors and tourists.
The Keene Memorial Library and City Auditorium satellite locations are within a block of the perimeter of the Creative District. The Dodge County Historical Society, housed in the Louis E. May Museum, is also a satellite location, about 12 blocks from the district perimeter.
Fremont Area Art Association
The Fremont Creative District is home to the Fremont Area Art Association (FAAA) which houses Gallery 92 West and the Art Emporium, where you can find unique, artisan items from local artists. The gallery hosts rotating art exhibits, art openings and monthly, catered luncheons the third Thursday of each month. The FAAA offers art classes to all levels and includes two classrooms and a pottery studio. Come get inspired!
Fremont Opera House
The Fremont Opera House held its grand opening performance on the evening of December 14, 1888. This five-story structure was considered one of the finest buildings in the state, with an amazing seating capacity of 1,100. The theater space located on the upper three floors was considered ornate with an impressive domed ceiling. Today, the Fremont Opera House is host to plays, concerts, summer middle school art camps, community theater performances, and monthly luncheons. The space can also be reserved for weddings and receptions. Plans to renovate the upper Opera House floors are in the works, check out the project.
Louis E. May Museum
The original home was built in the Italianate Revival style. Theron Nye built the house in 1874. His son inherited the home in 1900 and remodeled the home from 1901 until 1912. The current style of the home is Georgian or Classical Revival and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The grounds are a Nebraska Arboretum Site. The museum offers curated exhibits, a gift shop and also houses the Dodge County Historical Society. Take a virtual tour!
May Brothers Building
The May Brothers Building is a 141-year-old three-story brick building. The building was originally established as a grocery store and grocery distribution hub for the entire Midwest. Today, the first floor is home to the Milady Coffeehouse, named after the coffee that was distributed by the May Brothers. The East Wing Venue is available for celebrations, receptions, and parties. Eby Fine Art can also be found on the first floor and offers art classes and an art gallery. The May Brothers Building second floor is home to the Next Level, a community of small businesses, artists, and self-employed dreamers. Third floor construction is under to develop several apartments and a small boutique hotel.
Nebraska Quilt Company
The Nebraska Quilt Company (formerly Country Traditions) offers over 8,000 bolts of fabric, numerous books/patterns, notions, machines, and classrooms. The historic building is 20,000 square feet and boasts 14-foot ceilings, original wood flooring, exposed ceiling beams, the original freight elevator, and antique light fixtures suspended from a partial tin ceiling. The Nebraska Quilt Company offers shopping, a large selection of quilts to admire, quarterly retreats, bus trips, and much more. Loren and Karen Paquette invite you to come and enjoy the experience they have crafted for their guests.
The Empress Theatre
The Empress Theatre opened on March 18, 1915 and had seating for nearly 1,000, with the balcony having 330 seats. Today the theater is home to The Digg Site Productions. The Digg Site has undertaken the renovation of the historic Empress Theatre and also provides tuition-free film camps. The Digg Site also established the Fremont Film Fund to support film careers in Fremont and surrounding areas and founded The White Light City Film Festival, which showcases student-produced films and offers awards.
John C. Fremont Park
John C. Fremont Park is host to many of the Fremont Creative District annual and seasonal events including John C. Fremont Days and the Summer Concert Series. The park includes a picnic shelter, play equipment and a splash pad.
Keene Memorial Library
The Keene Memorial Library Expansion Project is complete and has been open since January 15, 2024. People are coming through the doors in numbers that mirror pre-Covid attendance. Circulation is through the roof, and our meeting rooms are getting a workout! To find out more information on the library Expansion Project click here.
Eby Fine Art
Eby Fine Art is a creative studio and community art space in downtown Fremont, Nebraska, founded by artists Monica and Todd Eby. The studio offers art classes, workshops, private lessons, painting parties, youth camps, and immersive retreats designed to inspire creativity at every skill level. Eby Fine Art creates and sells original, high-quality artwork and accepts custom commission work for collectors and businesses. The studio participates in regional art fairs and gallery exhibitions and partners with local organizations to bring art into the community. Through outreach programs and grant-funded opportunities, Eby Fine Art is committed to making creative experiences accessible and welcoming while cultivating connection, confidence, and creative growth through artistic expression.