Explore and learn more about the cultural heritage of our eastern neighbors at the Lentz Center for Asian Culture. Recognizing the rich and flavorful culture from the various regions of Asia, the Lentz Center for Asian Culture is a truly original tourist destination in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Center, which is a part of the University of Nebraska – Lincoln contains a unique collection that improves the cultural environment of and for the locals of the state of Nebraska.
The Lentz Center for Asian Culture gained approval from the University of Nebraska Board of Regents back in 1983 and was dedicated at Morrill Hall in 1986. The center was later moved to Hewit Place in 2000. The Lentz Center for Asian Culture is an institution that is committed to increasing the understanding and the knowledge that we have about Asia, and is unique in that way from other Lincoln, Nebraska museums.
The initial collections housed within the walls of the Lentz Center for Asian Culture were established by Professor and Mrs. Donald Lentz. The couple was a big inspiration to the center, and stimulated the center’s development with regards to the study of Asian history and culture. Mr. and Mrs. Lentz started with collecting musical instruments from all over Asia before venturing into other Asian objects. It can be considered that the Lentz Center for Asian Culture is the realization of the people of Nebraska’s commitment and oneness with the culture of Asia.
There are hundreds of interesting objects and other paraphernalia at the Lentz Center for Asian Culture, and these objects on display cover a very wide geographical area and a variety of media. A lot of factors fall in to place with regards to how one item is acquired. The items are usually chosen for their historical value or importance, how significant they are as a contribution to their local culture, and of course their condition and aesthetic appeal. One can find intricate carvings in both jade and ivory, various musical instruments, Tibetan objects used during rituals, and a lot of other unique items that open up one’s knowledge about traditional Asian civilizations. Other items exhibited are paintings and prints, sculptures, ceramic objects, textiles, plus a few others that were once used at homes on a daily basis.
The center has a calm and welcoming atmosphere, and allows visitors to interact with the Asian objects that are on display. This gives the opportunity for one to actually feel and experience each object, internalizing and analyzing that leads to furthering their knowledge. By exhibiting artifacts that reveal one’s interest in Asian history and lore, the Lentz Center for Asian Culture hopes to create a bigger conversation in the area of Lincoln Nebraska about the significance of Asian culture and how we can utilize the knowledge to our own culture.