Mayhew Cabin

The Mayhew Cabin is a 1850s-era residence in Nebraska City built from cottonwood logs with original stone foundations and period furnishings throughout the interior. Underneath the structure sits a reconstructed cellar and tunnel system that reveals the hidden routes used for escape.

Allen and Barbara Mayhew built the cabin in 1854 as a residential home, which became important in aiding those escaping slavery during that decade. It was later recognized as Nebraska's first site listed in the National Park Service's Network to Freedom program.

The cabin embodies local resistance to slavery and shows how ordinary residents took active risks to help others find freedom. Visitors can see the spaces where this assistance actually took place.

The site is currently closed due to flood damage, but online resources include maps and brochures about the Underground Railroad Trail in the area. Check ahead before visiting to confirm current access and any ongoing restoration work.

The reconstructed tunnels beneath the cabin physically show how people were hidden while moving between safe locations. Such underground passages rarely survive intact, making this a rare look at the practical details of escape routes.