About NSHS

The Nebraska State Historical Society was founded in 1878 by citizens who recognized Nebraska was going through great changes and they sought to record the stories of both indigenous and immigrant peoples. It was designated a state institution and began receiving funds from the legislature in 1883. Legislation in 1994 changed NSHS from a state institution to a state agency. The division is headed by Director Daryl Bohac. They are assisted by an administrative staff responsible for financial and personnel functions, museum store services, security, and facilities maintenance for NSHS.

Explore Nebraska

Discover the real places and people of our past at these NSHS sites.

Upcoming Events

View our new and upcoming events to see how you can get involved.

Become a Member

The work we do to discover, preserve, and share Nebraska's history wouldn't be possible without the support of NSHS members.

NSHS Education

Learn more about the educational programs provided at our museums, sites, and online.

Education Digital Learning Resources

Find games, lists, and more to enhance your history education curriculum.

Latest Hall of Fame Inductee

The Nebraska Hall of Fame was established in 1961 to officially recognize prominent Nebraskans.

Listen to our Podcast

Listen to the articles and authors published in the Nebraska History Magazine with our new Nebraska History Podcast!

Nebraska Collections

NSHS's mission is to collect, preserve, and open our shared history to all Nebraskans.

Our YouTube Video Collection

Get a closer look at Nebraska's history through your own eyes, with our extensive video collections.

Additional Research Resources

NSHS's Research and Reference Services help connect you to the material we collect and preserve.

NSHS Services

Digital Resources

Find all of our digital resources, files, videos, and more, all in one easy-to-search page!

Support The Historical Society

Make a cash donation to help us acquire, preserve, and interpret Nebraska’s history. Gifts to the Nebraska State Historical Society help leave a legacy and may help your taxes, too! Support the work of NSHS.

Volunteers are the heroes of NSHS. So much history, so little time! Your work helps us share access to Nebraska’s stories at our museums and sites, the reference room, and online.

Nebraska History: Bringing you fascinating state stories for 95 years!

Nebraska History’s original 1918 banner (above).

The first known print reference to what is now known as the Nebraska History magazine appeared in The Dakota County Herald, October 19, 1916:

A magazine to be called “Nebraska History and Pioneer Days,” to which thirty Nebraska Pioneers and history writers will contribute and which has been in the course of             organization for more than a year, is soon to make its appearance. The editor in chief is A. E. Sheldon, head of the legislative reference bureau. The publication is designed to       furnish a means of communication and information on Nebraska history and ethnology.

 

Vol. 1, Issue 1 of Nebraska History, published in February 1918 (at left).

The announcement was made in 1916 but the new publication did not appear until February 1918. (Read that issue here.)  It was initially planned as a publication of the Legislative Reference Bureau, but in 1917 the Historical Society and the Reference Bureau united to work under one head. A. E. (Addison) Sheldon became the Supervisor of the Nebraska State Historical Society. This caused the publication to be delayed until 1918.

Eight issues in newspaper format were distributed that year. They were collectively considered Volume I and were made available to all sustaining members of the NSHS, who received the magazine without further payment. It was intended to be a piece of popular literature, as distinguished from academic. It was printed sporadically throughout the years and was more of a type of reminiscence, sprinkled with bits of poetry written by Sheldon.

The changing face of Nebraska History over the decades. Left to right, issues from 2009, 1936, 1951, 1987, 1986. Back: 1918 (above).

By the 1930s the journal was printed in a magazine format. When Mari Sandoz became the Assistant Editor, the journal became more of a scholarly work.  By 1946 when James Olson became the Director of the Nebraska State Historical Society, Nebraska History was being published regularly on a quarterly basis.

A recent issue of Nebraska History.

Today’s Nebraska History magazine is a beautifully illustrated journal that explores the remarkable stories of Nebraska’s history and culture through original articles and new  discoveries, illustrated with rare historical images from the NSHS’s extensive collections. Edited by David Bristow, Associate Director for Publications, the magazine continues to be published on a quarterly basis.

Click here for a comprehensive table of contents, including all of Nebraska History and earlier NSHS publications going back to 1885, including links to hundreds of full-text articles.

Nebraska History magazine is offered as one of many benefits to members of the Nebraska State Historical Society. Our members range from professional historians to those who are curious about Nebraska’s past. If you have a passion for the history of Nebraska and the desire to help preserve that history, or know someone else who does, consider becoming a member of the Nebraska State Historical Society or give a gift membership.  Well-crafted historical writing and handsome illustrations will be your guidebook on an amazing journey through Nebraska’s past. To learn more about membership in the NSHS click here or call 402-471-3272.

-Lana Hatcher, Membership Coordinator

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