The Nebraska History Spotlight started this last year in April 2024. The spotlight was created to highlight local historical organizations across the state of Nebraska. Below you can see the list of all the local historical organizations we have highlighted this past year.
Platte County Historical Society (Columbus)
The Platte County Historical Society was originally founded in 1935 and helps to discover, memorialize and share the history of Platte County. They care for the Platte County Museum, which is in Columbus, Neb. The museum has three buildings with displays, artifacts, and pictures that show life in Platte County through the years. Click here to learn more about the Platte County Historical Society.
Henderson Mennonite Heritage Museum and Park (near Henderson)
Henderson Mennonite Heritage Museum and Park was founded in 1995, the organization bought eight-and-a-half acres to preserve and share community heritage. Since then, buildings have been moved or erected on the site, including a church, country school, farmhouse, barn, various downtown businesses, depot, immigrant house, and an agricultural building featuring a display of the beginning of deep well irrigation in the area. Click here to learn more about Henderson Mennonite Heritage Museum and Park.
Key Paha County Historical Society (Springview)
The Keya Paha County Historical Society was founded March 1, 1968 by 20 people who wanted to protect and preserve local history for future generations. Over the years, numerous members built exhibits and filled the museum with artifacts. Click here to learn more about the Keya Paha County Historical Society.
Perkins County Historical Society (Grant)
The Perkins County Historical Society runs the Perkins County Museum. The museum consists of three different buildings: the fully refurbished 1905 house, the old country school house, and the exhibition hall, which is currently under renovation and is expected to be complete by this spring. The buildings each have various historical displays from a wedding dress collection to a display of high school annuals from country schools. Click here to learn more about the Perkins County Historical Society.
Cuming County Historical Society (West Point)
The Cumming County Historical Society manages the Cuming County Museum Site on the Cuming County Fairgrounds during their yearly county fair. The site consists of several buildings including a train station, church, and many others. They just completed the refurbishment of the 1880s bandwagon. All of the buildings have displays and objects showing off Cuming County History. Click here to learn more about the Cuming County Historical Society.
Custer County Historical Society (Broken Bow)
The Custer County Historical Society was founded in 1967 as a library when Nebraska was celebrating its centennial. With a mission to “Preserve and collect the history of Custer County Nebraska for the future generations to enjoy,” the museum displays the history of pioneer life, homesteading, and each of the county’s communities. Click here to learn more about the Custer County Historical Society.
Burt County Museum (Tekamah)
Established in 1967, the Burt County Museum in Tekamah, Neb. was founded to collect, preserve, and develop appreciation for the county’s history and its artifacts, and to educate the public. Since 1984 the historic E.C. Houston House has served as the museum. Click here to learn more about the Burt County Museum.
Haigler Community Foundation (Haigler)
The Haigler Community Foundation runs the Cornerstone Museum among other buildings. The museum complex began in 2007 with the preservation of the County Schoolhouse 67 South. Since then the museum has grown to include the Haigler Cornerstone Museum, Haigler Jail Museum, Country Schoolhouse Museum, Haigler Art Museum, and the Conoco Station Museum and Welcome Center. Click to learn more about the Haigler Community Foundation.
Pennsylvania Colony of Nebraska Historical Society (near Dawson)
The Pennsylvania Colony in Nebraska started in the 1870s when Jacob G. Heim moved his and thirteen more families to Nebraska, buying land around Dawson, Neb. Today the Pennsylvania Colony Historical Society of Nebraska continues that legacy by preserving the rich history of these settlers in Richardson County. Click to learn more about the Pennsylvania Colony Historical Society of Nebraska.
