History in the making

The Nebraska State Historical Society Blog

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Frederick Douglass’s Nebraska Sister

Frederick Douglass is remembered for his escape from slavery and for his speeches and autobiographies through which he advocated passionately for freedom and civil ...

A Picnic Mishap

Picnicking is one of the most enjoyable summer pastimes, and Nebraskans more than one hundred years ago enjoyed it as much as we do today. Occasionally, however, ...

Marker Monday: K-9 Training Area, Fort Robinson

  Marker Text In September 1942 the Fort Robinson War Dog Training Center was established. Barracks, classrooms, administrative offices, and other support ...

State Song Sing-Along

The year Nebraska celebrated its centennial, it got a new state song. “Beautiful Nebraska” was so designated by the Nebraska legislature and the bill was signed into law ...

Robert Ball Anderson’s journey “from slavery to affluence”

Born in slavery, Robert Ball Anderson became a prosperous rancher in Box Butte County, Nebraska.

No Father’s Day for Nebraska in 1915

    “For some years we have had ‘Children’s Day’ and ‘Mother’s Day,’” said the North Platte Semi-weekly Tribune on June 10, 1911, “and now thanks ...

Sewing the Flag

​In 1872 we held our first Fourth of July celebration. Everybody was eager to help and preparations went forward swiftly. The magnificent natural park with School Creek ...

Marker Monday: The Seedling Mile

Our Historical Markers across Nebraska highlight fascinating moments and places in our state's past. Today, our focus is a preserved section of the Lincoln Highway. It's ...

Is Nebraska a “Desert”? No… and Yes!

Ignore the photo above and look at the map below. Is “Great Desert” the dumbest description of Nebraska ever to appear in print? Sure, we’ve all heard “flyover country” ...

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.