History in the making

The Nebraska State Historical Society Blog

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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 ...

How Nebraska author Bess Streeter Aldrich rescued her local bank during the Great Depression

By David L. Bristow, Editor   Bess Streeter Aldrich (1881-1954) was the bestselling author of books such as The Rim of the Prairie and A Lantern in Her ...

Pershing the Martinet

By David L. Bristow, Editor Was Gen. John J. Pershing a ruthless martinet or a man whose dignified military bearing inspired respect and even adoration? Opinions ...

“Cocaine fiends” in Omaha, 1907

Advertisement for medicinal drops to relieve toothache, Lloyd Manufacturing Co., 1885. Courtesy National Library of Medicine Cocaine was once touted for its ...

Marker Monday: Mari Sandoz in Lincoln

Marker Text Mari Sandoz (1896-1966), Nebraska historian and novelist, lived at this site, 1226 J Street, from 1925 to 1937. Here in 1928, she began writing Old Jules, ...

Nebraska’s Lake Monster- Giganticus Brutervious

Swimmers in Nebraska ponds, lakes, and waterways face typical summer hazards such as sunburns, snapping turtles, and thunderstorms, but at least they don’t have to ...

Dust in the Wind

Ten thousand books.  Three-hundred-and-twenty hours.  Four vacuum cleaners.  One suitcase full of bricks.  That is what it took to clean up after a construction ...

Nebraska Statehood Launched in Troubled Times

On March 1, 1867, President Andrew Johnson reluctantly signed the proclamation declaring Nebraska’s statehood. The signing ended the life of a territory which ...

Racial Politics at UNO

By Breanna Fanta, Editorial Assistant African American students fought to seize their “educational destiny” in the 1960s, but history has been slow to acknowledge ...

Help Shape History

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Volunteer

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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

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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.