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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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Ice Industry

The gradual introduction of home refrigerators powered by electricity eliminated the need for ice delivery to most Nebraska homes. The Nebraska State Journal of April ...
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In the Middle of a Prairie Fire, 1876

Prairie fires were an ever-present danger in frontier Nebraska. Rolf Johnson of Phelps County knew this from experience. The Swedish immigrant provides a vivid ...
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Indian Fighters and Pensions

Governmental bureaucracy is nothing new. Almost a hundred years ago, Nebraska veteransdiscovered missing records and "red tape" when they applied for military pensions. ...
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Ionia Volcano

Unique sights between Omaha and Sioux City were described in the morning edition of the Omaha Daily Bee, on July 7, 1874. A letter writer, identified only as "RANGER," ...
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Irish in Lincoln, 1890

"There was an enthusiastic and well attended meeting of the Lincoln branch of the Irish National league yesterday afternoon at Fitzgerald hall, Charles McGlave ...
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Irrigation

One of the early difficulties with farming and development in Nebraska was associated with the semiarid climate. The possibilities of irrigation received almost ...
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Irvine in Nebraska Territory in 1855

Clark Irvine arrived in Nebraska Territory in 1855 anxious to take advantage of whatever opportunities existed in a new land. His recollections of early Omaha, ...
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J. D. Calhoun on Arbor Day

    "The Herald observed Arbor Day duly and regularly," reported editor J. D. Calhoun in the Lincoln Weekly Herald on April 26, 1890. In honor of the holiday Calhoun ...
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J. H. Lemmon

J. H. Lemmon, one of Thayer County's earliest settlers, recorded his memories of the enormous numbers of buffalo in southeast Nebraska about 1860. In a reminiscence ...
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Jackson, William H., Artist and Photographer

Artist and photographer William H. Jackson (1843-1942) was an outstanding figure of the American West and popularized many of its images. His autobiography, Time ...
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Jacob H. Culver of Milford

The death of Jacob H. Culver on August 19, 1921, in San Diego, California, marked the passing of a colorful ex-Nebraskan once prominent in business and military circles ...
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James H. Pratt

James Hervey Pratt, rancher, farmer, land speculator, and freighter, was a frontier entrepreneur of the post-Civil War era. Born in Plainfield, Massachusetts, in 1825, ...
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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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Library Search
Manuscript Finding Aids
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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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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