History in the making

The History Nebraska Blog

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Five Ways to Experience Nebraska History

Our state has a rich history with so many stories to tell. History Nebraska has five easy and fun ways you can discover that amazing history yourself! (more…)

Nebraskans Loved Actress Sarah Bernhardt, Whether They Understood Her or Not

When world famous stage actress Sarah Bernhardt came to Omaha in 1901, it was a big deal. Over 2000 people were overjoyed to watch her perform. But many couldn't ...

“I haven’t seen an honestly prejudiced person yet.” Ending segregation at Lincoln’s public swimming pool

Joseph Ishikawa came to Nebraska from a Colorado internment camp during World War II. As a city employee in 1946 he challenged a longstanding policy barring African ...

Willie Nelson FarmAid Concert

Despite the rain, Willie Nelson's 1987 Farm Aid concert at Memorial Stadium drew 69,000 people and raised $1.7 million for farmers during the 1980s farm crisis. ...

Flashback Friday: Mr. Wolf’s Car and the Unknown Girl

Our reference staff can sometimes seem like historical detectives, searching for clues to figure out mysteries that the public needs help with. This is one of those ...

Florence, Nebraska

Florence, now a neighborhood of Omaha, was once one of the oldest cities in Nebraska. (more…)

Entertainment in Nebraska Territory

Nebraska's first theatrical performance happened in Omaha in 1857. The troupe's version of "Box and Cox" was considered by the local newspaper to have been a bit ...

When Railroads Promoted Immigration

You might think that settlers or the state government were Nebraska's biggest boosters in the 1870s, but you'd be wrong. They weren't the ones running an international ...

The 1874 State Fair: A Time to Show Off

The 1874 state fair in Omaha was supposed to be a chance for Nebraska to show off its agricultural potential. A massive swarm of Rocky Mountain locusts had different ...

Marker Monday: Pibel Lake Recreation Area

Our Historical Markers across Nebraska highlight fascinating moments and places in our state's past.  Pibel Lake Recreation Area grew out of an 1897 ...

Marker Monday: Giant Glacial Boulder

Our Historical Markers across Nebraska highlight fascinating moments and places in our state's past. Today we focus on a relic of the Ice Age, a boulder originally from ...

Marker Monday: The Calamus Valley

Our Historical Markers across Nebraska highlight fascinating moments and places in our state's past. Today we highlight the Calamus Valley, once a hunting ground of the ...

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 History Nebraska staff members to support our mission

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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.
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.
Explore Nebraska
Discover the real places and people of our past at these History Nebraska sites.

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.