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Nebraska State Historical Society

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Who We Are

The Nebraska State Historical Society publishes works that explore Nebraska history and culture. Our readers range from professional historians to history buffs to curious people who simply find that learning about the past helps them better enjoy living and traveling here. We all share a passion for well-crafted historical writing.

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"Nebraska Timeline" Columns

From 1992 – 2019, the Nebraska State Historical Society wrote a series of articles for newspapers titled “Nebraska Timeline.” Below you can browse or search through those articles and discover interesting stories from Nebraska’s History.

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Coffee Substitutes Include Carrots, Okra

The scarcity of certain foods in early Nebraska encouraged the use of substitutes. Coffee, for example, was sometimes replaced or extended with such foods as dried ...
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Coggia’s Comet

Stargazers and amateur astronomers in the Midwest during the summer of 1874 were treated to the sight of an impressive comet. "M. Coggia's comet," according to the ...
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Colonels in Nebraska

The April-June 1940 issue of Nebraska History included the following query: "Can you give me any information concerning the origin of the usage of the term 'Colonel' as ...
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Commencement

College commencement exercises have always been marked by advice showered upon new graduates. The Daily Nebraska State Journal, May 16, 1889, offered its congratulations ...
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Commencement at Nemaha High School

"The fourteenth annual commencement of the Nemaha high school was held in the opera house Friday night," according to the Nebraska Advertiser, June 1, 1906. ...
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Commencement at Omaha Medical College

Nebraska's first medical college, called the Nebraska School of Medicine, was opened in 1880 in Omaha. Dr. Robert R. Livingston of Plattsmouth was president of the ...
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Commencement Traditions Change

High school seniors today are often graduated with a minimum of ceremony. But for our parents and grandparents commencement was an elaborate affair, with most graduates ...
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Confederate Corn

Robert W. Furnas, in addition to service as Nebraska governor (1873-75) and as a founder of the State Historical Society (1878), was a tireless promoter of agriculture. ...
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Cook’s Cattle Drive North, 1876

Cattleman James H. Cook first came to Nebraska in 1876 when he helped drive a herd of cattle from Texas. In 1911 he recalled this event: "In the year 1876 I helped to ...
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Corn Bread Day

  In 1899 the Omaha World-Herald proposed setting aside a special day in Nebraska for the eating of corn bread. It is not known whether the idea took wing, but ...
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Corn Contest, 1905

To create an interest in agriculture, the Nebraska Department of Public Instruction (later Department of Education) announced a corn contest for boys in the spring of ...
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Cornhuskers in Demand

Cornhusking was once an annual autumn activity on many Nebraska farms. Before the advent of the mechanical corn picker, the corn crop was harvested by hand and "shucked" ...
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Contact Us

David Bristow | Publications
Nebraska State Historical Society
1500 R St
Lincoln, NE 68508
402-471-4748
[email protected]

Information Services:
Looking for research help? Contact Library/Archives, the Museum, or Education. The Publications division is an editorial office; we don’t have archival collections or reference staff here.

News and Events:
Looking for research help? Contact Follow the Nebraska State Historical Society on Facebook for event news, cool historical photos, and fascinating stories from the Nebraska State Historical Society blog. Members receive Nebraska History News.

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.

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Explore Nebraska

Discover the real places and people of our past at these NSHS sites.

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Chimney Rock
Fort Robinson
John Neihardt
Nebraska History Museum

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Neligh Mill
Senator Norris House
Thomas Kennard House
Historical Markers
Gift Shops

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.

Museum Field Trips
Virtual Field Trips
Summer Workshops
Scout Merit Badge Workshops

NSHS Programs

Learn more about the programs associated with NSHS.

Historical Markers
Historical Marker Equity Program
National Register of Historic Places
Nebraska Hall of Fame
Semiquincentennial Commission

 

 

Nebraska Statewide Cemetery Registry
Willa Cather National Statuary Hall
Heritage Hero Award Recipients
Nebraska SHRAB

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.

Research, Reference, & Genealogy
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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!

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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.

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