History in the making

The Nebraska State Historical Society Blog

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Frontier Soldiers and Their Tiniest Enemy

Historian John McDermott wrote about the physical hardships of a frontier soldier’s life, describing the western plains as “an environment that could be frustrating, ...

Marker Monday: Susan La Flesche Picotte Memorial Hospital

  Marker Text This hospital was built in 1912 under the guidance of Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte, the first Native American woman physician, with the ...

The Birth of the South Omaha Stockyards

In one decade, the South Omaha stockyards went from a single farm to a major meat center. The 1880s were a time of explosive growth for South Omaha, yet surprisingly few ...

The 1918 Flu Pandemic in Nebraska

World War I killed some 15 to 19 million people, but the 1918 flu pandemic was far worse. As the flu raged around the world, Nebraska communities responded. (more…)

On This Day: Armistice Celebrated Early

  The armistice to end World War I signed at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month was greeted with great rejoicing in Nebraska towns. ...

Siouan Archeology

Nebraska has an archeological record of a few Siouan-Speaking tribes (Omaha, Ponca, Oto, Ioway, Missouria) that lived in earthlodge villages. By Breanna Fanta, ...

The Headless Ghost of Redington, Nebraska

The month of October can sometimes inspire images specific to the Halloween season. In December we think about Christmas, with brightly decorated trees and wrapped gifts ...

Mona and John: A 50-Year Love Story

Early in 1908, 24-year-old Mona Martinsen, having just returned to New York after three years of studying sculpture with Auguste Rodin in Paris, wrote a letter to a ...

Help Shape History

Become a Member

Being a member is the easiest way to be involved in our mission to preserve and share our state's rich history. Find out how!

Volunteer

Volunteers work with NSHS staff members to support our mission

Start Your Career

Interested in joining the NSHS team? Keep an eye on job listings!

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 Interim Director Cindy Drake. 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.