Petrified Wood Gallery
Howard & Harvey Kenfield’s Story Set in Stone
A Story Set in Stone
The charming folk art of the Kenfield brothers. Ninety-three-year-old twin brothers Howard and Harvey Kenfield have been avid collectors of fossils, arrowheads, and petrified wood since the 1950s. For 50 years, the twins created intricate sculptures out of petrified wood that are all on display at their gallery in Ogallala. These soft-spoken twins will charm you and their art will wow you.
Welcome
The Petrified Wood Gallery is a showcase of natural history specializing in ancient woods and fossils from around the world plus Native American arrowheads and artifacts — many from within 25 miles of Ogallala.NE. The collection is a result of the efforts of brothers Howard and Harvey Kenfield who began collecting in the 1950’s.
In 2000, the Kenfield’s donated their collection for display in their hometown, Ogallala. The collection would be available for the benefit of the general public. In 2007, the Friends of the Kenfield Gallery received designation as a 501(c)(3) organization. …review
Guests to the Gallery will also see the artwork of visiting artists and “on-loan” exhibits from other collectors.
Guests from all over the globe are greeted by volunteers from the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). In addition to multiple locations throughout Ogallala and Keith County, these dedicated members of the community serve as cashiers and hosts at the Gallery.
Use exit 126, Interstate 80 then north 2 miles to 418 East 1st Street. Conveniently located across the street south of Ogallala’s famed Front Street.
The Kenfield’s
At a young age, Harvey & Howard Kenfield moved to the Ogallala area from eastern Nebraska. After graduating from high school, they began working at a local manufacturing plant.
In the early 1950’s, they were both drafted into the Army and served together with the 24th Infantry Division in Korea in 1951. Receiving Honorable Discharges, they returned to their previous jobs. During hours of relaxation, they began collecting Indian Artifacts in 1953 which led them to collecting petrified wood and the “rock hobby” – the art of cutting and polishing rocks.
From 1954 through the present time, many years have been devoted to grinding and polishing rocks. Many gem and mineral shows were attended and vacations were spent hunting petrified wood in western Wyoming.
In 1976, each purchased one acre of land south of Ogallala, built homes for their families and the first Petrified Wood Gallery.
After 42 years of employment, Howard and Harvey both retired in 1980 and the Gallery was opened to the public from May through September.
In 2000, the Kenfields donated their collection to the Western Nebraska Community Foundation with the stipulation that it stay in Ogallala. At that time, the owners of the famous Front Street, built an addition to the Front Street structure to house the Petrified Wood Gallery….the collection had found a new home. Over the years, additions were made to the collection and in spring of 2011, the Gallery moved to a larger facility across the street, 418 East 1st Street.