A Nebraska Goose

Straw stuffed goose decoy made sometime between 1941 and 1958 by John Albert Lundgren, one of Nebraska’s few nationally marketed decoy manufacturers. Patent number on bottom of the goose.

John Albert Lundgren of Axtell, Nebraska, always loved hunting and by the age of 14 started making decoys.  In 1935, when live call birds became illegal he set out to design high-quality full-bodied decoys of his own.  His earliest, in the 1920s and 1930s, were Canada goose floaters crafted out of a wire and wood armature with a stretched canvas covering.  This design eventually developed into a full-bodied stick-up goose decoy formed of canvas and stuffed with straw that was then dipped in animal glue and hand-painted.  Lundgren patented his design in 1941 and continued to make decoys out of his Axtell, and later Kearney, workshops until 1958, selling them in Nebraska and nationally through Abercrombie and Fitch in the 1940s.

–Deb Arenz, Senior Museum Curator

Become a Member!

Our members make history happen.

Join Now

You May Also Enjoy

The Huskers wore blue jerseys for Memorial Stadium’s first game

The Huskers wore blue jerseys for Memorial Stadium’s first game

Recent Archeological Work at Ft. Atkinson

Recent Archeological Work at Ft. Atkinson

Willie Nelson FarmAid Concert

Willie Nelson FarmAid Concert

About History Nebraska
History Nebraska was founded in 1878 as the Nebraska State Historical Society 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 History Nebraska from a state institution to a state agency. The division is headed by Interim Director and CEO Jill Dolberg. They are assisted by an administrative staff responsible for financial and personnel functions, museum store services, security, and facilities maintenance for History Nebraska.
Explore Nebraska
Discover the real places and people of our past at these History Nebraska 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 History Nebraska members.

Latest Hall of Fame Inductee

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

Become a Member

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

History Nebraska'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

History Nebraska Research and Reference Services help connect you to the material we collect and preserve.

Support History Nebraska
Make a cash donation to help us acquire, preserve, and interpret Nebraska’s history. Gifts to History Nebraska help leave a legacy and may help your taxes, too! Support the work of History Nebraska by donating to the History Nebraska Foundation today.

Volunteers are the heroes of History Nebraska. 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.