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The History Nebraska Blog

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“Just Say No,” 1880s-style

The young women of West Point, Nebraska gave an ultimatum to the town's boys via poetry: "The man who takes the red, red wine, Can never glue his lips to mine." ...

The 19th-Century Nebraska Veterans Pension Fight

Governmental bureaucracy is nothing new. Almost a hundred years ago, Nebraska veterans discovered missing records and "red tape" when they applied for military pensions. ...

Hunting Wild Game on the Prairie

As they moved out onto the prairies, many European and American settlers were astonished by the abundance of game. This, of course, made hunting a popular pastime for ...

Housing Problems in 1850s Nebraska

It's never easy to find good housing, but for newcomers to Nebraska in the 1850s it was especially difficult. (more…)

Tragedy at the 1931 Omaha Air Races

Aviator Charles Holman was the star of Omaha's first air races in 1931, but his final race ended with a grisly crash. (more…)

Halley’s Comet lights up Nebraska in 1910

The appearance of Halley's comet in Nebraska skies during the spring of 1910 generated a lot of excitement, but it was especially popular in Omaha. (more…)

Nebraska to Alaska: Klondike Gold Rush of 1896

When gold was discovered in the Klondike, many Nebraskans joined in the mass journey to the gold fields. Even a pair of Omaha World-Herald reporters! (more…)

Dr. Keeley’s Gold Cure for the Liquor Habit

The preeminent anti-addiction specialist of the late-nineteenth century was Dr. Leslie Keeley, who promised to cure addicts with injections of "gold bichloride." It ...

Replacing Old Dobbin With a Delivery Truck

The advent of cars radically changed personal and professional transportation for Nebraskans. The 1911 Nebraska State Journal cheered this revolution with an article ...

Griswold’s Description of Corbett vs. Mitchell

Samuel Griswold, the early 20th-century World-Herald sports editor, was well known for his fiery boxing reporting.  He once described a match between James ...

Omaha, A Stop on the Great Race of 1908

The Thomas car that won the 1908 New York to Paris Race, on display in the National Automobile Museum in Reno, Nevada. On March 5, 1908, a Thomas automobile, the ...

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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.
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Latest Hall of Fame Inductee

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

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