History in the making

The Nebraska State Historical Society Blog

Recent News and Posts

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Throwback Thursday Photograph, Edward and Maggie Gehrke

Nebraskans Maggie and Edward Gehrke traveled extensively around the United States and Canada in the early 1900s. Things could and frequently did get pretty messy. ...

Robert Kennedy and the 1968 Nebraska campaign trail

“I learned one thing I will never forget,” said Robert F. Kennedy on April 27, 1968, “It is a long way across Nebraska by train.” Kennedy had just finished an ...

The Art of Making Moonshine

Law enforcement seized this still and jugs of moonshine from a Lincoln basement in 1931. We wanted to know more about it, so we asked Nebraska author and folklorist ...

Twentieth Century Sign Sees Light of Day Thanks to Construction

History is all around us, but sometimes it is out of sight. A member of our staff was walking the streets of Lincoln recently when they happened upon a piece of history ...

Danish Tug ‘o War Team

Tug of War was serious business in 1890s Nebraska. Just ask the Omaha Danes, reigning state champions in 1892. (more…)

When science met the coyote

How and why did this coyote end up in this cruel trap? The coyote was long known to Nebraska’s Native peoples. They understood its intelligence. It’s no accident that ...

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.