About Us
The Iron Horse Arts District is a one-mile area in downtown Holdrege, NE.
Our mission? To create a vibrant and attractive destination for residents and visitors and to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit and artistic roots of the community.
Why Iron Horse?
“Iron Horse” is a name for steam locomotives (trains) that gained popularity in the 1800s, when horses were still used to power most machinery. The railroad brought many early settlers, businesses, and artists to Holdrege; there’s even an Iron Horse Depot in town. We’re giving a nod to our past while we actively build our future.
About Holdrege, NE
Holdrege is a town of about 5,500 in south-central Nebraska that is richly rooted in agriculture, art, and music. It is named after railroad businessman George W. Holdrege. From its earliest days, the arts have thrived in the Holdrege. Performers such as Tommy Dorsey, Frank Sinatra, John Philip Sousa, Lawrence Welk, and Will Rogers once drew large crowds at the Holdrege City Auditorium in downtown Holdrege.
LIVE MUSIC
The Iron Horse Festival in September will feature a full day of art immersion culminating in an outdoor concert featuring Logan Mize performing in front of the historic Iron Horse Station. JB’s Sports Bar and Grill regularly hosts live music, including performances by our very own Nebraska Country Music Hall of Fame Honoree Luke Mills. Live bands also perform in downtown Holdrege during Swedish Days in mid-June.
ART
Four world-renowned bronze sculptors hail from Holdrege, and 15 of their sculptures can be seen around town. Several of those sculptures are located in the district, including two on the courthouse lawn. Other sculptures will soon be displayed in the new Midtown Sculpture Garden, which brings new life to the downtown area by replacing a building that was past its prime with a beautiful park.
Besides crafting delicious beer, Holdrege’s Lost Way Brewery is a hub for artistic events such as the Pages & Pints book club, Lego-building nights, painting events (including a paint with beer night!), and the summer Maker’s Market.
The recently renovated Holdrege Sun Theater and Event Venue features the latest movies, community events, and opportunities to be creative at painting nights. The Holdrege Public Library hosts regular artistic events for all ages, including paint and craft nights, book clubs, author talks, and musical performances.
Want more information?
Meet our Project Manager
Cassie Ehrenberg is the project manager of the Iron Horse Arts District, a Certified Creative District through the Nebraska Arts Council. She has been a volunteer with Iron Horse practically since its inception. Her previous background was in Project Management, and she oversaw large projects for Warner Bros., HR software company Gusto, and Roadtrip Nation. In 2023, she started her own business, Inkton Solutions LLC, to provide local businesses with project management and website design/management services. While this is her first non-profit role, she has served on local boards and committees, including the Holdrege Area Public Library board (President-elect for 2024/25) and the Phelps County Visitors Committee (President for 2024/25). She’s also no stranger to the art world, having been heavily involved in music and the arts in high school and college, plus working with many artists (including her husband, Ryan Ehrenberg) on a variety of projects. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and an Executive Master of Business Administration degree. She’s extremely excited to build up an arts emphasis to Holdrege and create a space where all are welcome.
Meet our Board of Directors
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Kristine Jacobson
PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD
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Allisha Melroy
VICE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD
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Chelsea Feusner
SECRETARY OF THE BOARD
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Lori Larson
TREASURER OF THE BOARD
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Jaimee Anderson
MEMBER AT LARGE
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Rebecca Anderson
MEMBER AT LARGE
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Staci Arp
MEMBER AT LARGE
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Michelle Boulware
MEMBER AT LARGE
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Sierra Burrows
MEMBER AT LARGE
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Ryan Ehrenberg
MEMBER AT LARGE
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Luke Mills
MEMBER AT LARGE
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Chelsey Neville
MEMBER AT LARGE
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Mona Peterson
MEMBER AT LARGE
We Love our Volunteers!
It take a lot of people to get our initiatives off the ground. These are just a handful of the local volunteers who have spearheaded projects since our inception.
And you don’t have to be “an art-eest” to participate. Anyone with an interest in the arts and bettering our community is welcome. To sign up to get more information about volunteering, fill out our volunteer interest form. We look forward to meeting you!