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The History Nebraska Blog

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Circles in Corn Leave Farmers Forlorn

Crop circles, flattened, geometric patterns in fields of standing grain, have appeared in Nebraska. One theory is that Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) created the ...

Spirit Photography

"Spirit Photography," advertisement. Source: Co. Fair News       In 1861 a Boston photographer named William H. Mumler discovered that additional images would appear ...

Faceless Fred, the Phantom of Phelps County

Fred, who lived near Holdrege, was a known philanderer, much to his long-suffering wife's dismay. Having tired of his antics, Fred's wife killed him and cut off most of ...

Throwback Thursday Photo, Kearney Cotton Mill

the history nebraska blog Take a peek inside the Kearney Cotton Mill in today’s Throwback Thursday Photograph. Construction on the Mill started in 1890 by the Cumnock ...

Imprinting the West Brings Celebrated Art to NHM

Imagine yourself as an artist exploring the western American frontier. You’ve never seen anything like it. What would you choose to show? And if you were hearing amazing ...

Flashback Friday: “Everything Seems to be Going Backwards These Days”: The Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben in Omaha – Thomas M. Spencer

Like much of the nation, Omaha in 1895 was struggling in the doldrums of the Panic of 1893, one of the worst and longest economic downturns in the nation’s ...

Timeline Tuesday: A Bogus Detective Agency

Modern attempts to defraud the credulous by offering membership in a group with accompanying benefits in exchange for an upfront payment have long roots. The Omaha ...

Miles Maryott paintings

NSHS 10220-93, Source: NSHS Foundation Miles Maryott was born in Burt County, Nebraska in 1873. During his early years he played professional baseball in a number of ...

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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.

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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.

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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.
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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.