History in the making

The Nebraska State Historical Society Blog

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Marker Monday: Ward Bond’s Boyhood Home

Our Historical Markers across Nebraska highlight fascinating moments and places in our state's past. Today we focus on the childhood home of Ward Bond, an actor who ...

Near-beer and cone-topped cans: The Columbus (Nebraska) Brewing Company

Columbus Brewing Company was the last brewery outside of Omaha when it ceased production in 1954. It produced several local brands of beer, and survived Prohibition by ...

What was this 100-pound steamboat anchor doing in a central Nebraska field?

By David L. Bristow, Editor   Gloria Liljestrand-Barber found this four-foot-high, 100-pound anchor in 1985. It was mostly buried in a hayfield on her ...

For career woman in 1930, “home’s still home”

  "I honestly believe there is no sound reason why women should not be in business," Miss Loretta Larsen told the Omaha Bee-News in 1930. Larsen appeared in ...

Niobrara: A Town Too Tough to Stay Put

Niobrara had a big problem with flooding early in its history, so its residents did the only sensible thing. They moved the town. The whole town. (more…)

Marker Monday: Rebecca Winters

Marker Text Rebecca Winters, daughter of Gideon Burdick, a drummer boy in Washington’s army, was born in New York State in 1802. She was a pioneer in the Church of the ...

Maj. Helen Sagl, a Nebraskan in World War II

The Nebraska History Museum’s collection includes thousands of objects from World War II. Among them are uniforms worn by Helen Sagl while serving in the WAAC/WAC. ...

The Irish in Lincoln

St. Patrick’s Day is a good time to remember the role the Irish played in the history of Nebraska, particularly in the history of Lincoln. Well before 1890 the ...

Dust and Snow

During the 1930s, Nebraska suffered one of the most serious droughts in its history. In all parts of the state, rainfall was far below normal. The dry powdered soil ...

How Nebraska’s Bess Streeter Aldrich became a bestselling author

By David L. Bristow, Editor Bess Streeter Aldrich became a bestselling author with novels such as A Lantern in Her Hand (1928), Spring Came on Forever (1935), and ...

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.