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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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Fourth of July at Tecumseh, 1883

Independence Day activities were reported by the July 7, 1883, Tecumseh Chieftain: "We didn't celebrate very profusely, but still all had a comfortable, quiet, pleasant ...
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Fourth of July Fireworks, 1887

"Those storekeepers who cater to the wants of the small boy are beginning to decorate their show windows with fireworks," observed the June 14, 1887, issue of ...
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Fourth of July Hazards

One might think emphasis on a "safe" celebration of Independence Day is a recent development. In the 1990s some Nebraska communities limit or ban fireworks, except for ...
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Fourth of July in Dundy County, 1922

In 1922 the community of Parks in Dundy County celebrated the Fourth of July not only with the traditional fireworks, but a Crazy Cat Carnival in the evening. According ...
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Fourth of July in Knox County

Fourth of July celebrations in Knox County in 1878 were held at Bazile Mills, Niobrara, and Walnut Grove. The Niobrara Pioneer of July 5, 1878, reported the day's ...
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Fourth of July in Southeast Nebraska, 1884

The Daily State Journal of Lincoln on July 1, 1884, remarked on the upcoming Independence Day: "As it has been decided that Lincoln will not celebrate the glorious ...
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Fourth of July, in Stuart, Newport, 1901

A fireworks display is a central feature of most Fourth of July celebrations. The Stuart Ledger, July 5, 1901, described two pyrotechnic displays, one held in Stuart and ...
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Francis Burt

Francis Burt, a native of Pendleton, South Carolina, served very briefly in 1854 as the first governor of Nebraska Territory. (President Franklin Pierce had first ...
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Frank H. Spearman

Frank H. Spearman (1859-1937) was a prolific writer of heroic fiction, especially about railroads and about the men who built and ran them in the West in the late 1800s. ...
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Fred Astaire’s Omaha Origins

The year 1999 marks the centenary of Fred Astaire's birth in Omaha, where he was born as Frederick Austerlitz on May 10. His sister, Adele, two years older than Fred, ...
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Free Auto Camps

Long distance travel in the early days of the automobile was difficult, and comforts along the way were few. Motorists pitched their own tents and cooked their own meals ...
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Freighting

In 1860 Henry E. Palmer traveled from Omaha to Pike's Peak with James A. Maxwell's party. He was a careful observer of the people the group encountered and the sites ...
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Contact Us

David Bristow | Publications
Nebraska State Historical Society
1500 R St
Lincoln, NE 68508
402-471-4748
david.bristow@nebraska.gov

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 Director Daryl Bohac. 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 Marker 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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Moving Images Inventories
Photo Collection List
Sound Recordings Inventories

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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Archeology
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Conservation Center
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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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