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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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Labor Unions

Omaha as the center of organized labor in Nebraska was also the state center of labor unrest during the early years of this century. The Omaha Daily News, May 14, 1900, ...
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Land Speculation in Nebraska Territory

Prior to the panic of 1857 there was little interest in practical agriculture in Nebraska Territory. Land ownership was sought for speculative purposes rather than for ...
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Landmarks on Paper

Like many anniversary celebrations, National Airmail Week, May 15-21, 1938, commemorating the twentieth anniversary of official airmail service in the United States, was ...
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Latter-day Saints at Genoa

In mid-May 1857 a small Mormon colony occupied a site in Nebraska Territory called Genoa. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints planned to establish several ...
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Leap Year Customs

A partial list of Lincoln's most marriageable men was published by the Nebraska State Journal in 1888 in honor of the old leap day (February 29) custom of women ...
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Leap Year Masquerade Ball

The old leap day (February 29) custom of women proposing marriage to men is reflected in early Nebraska accounts of dances and parties celebrating past leap days and ...
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Leap Year Once Viewed as Opportunity for Women

The year 2012 is a leap year, which means that it has 366 days instead of the usual 365 days. The year 1896 was also a leap year and was widely observed in Nebraska with ...
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Lease, Mary Elizabeth, in Nebraska

The work of Mary Elizabeth Lease (1850-1933) for the Populist cause in the 1890s brought her national attention. A gifted orator, she worked in 1891 and 1892 with the ...
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Lechery and Lead

Frontier justice was often swift, if not just. Here's an example from the spring of 1887, whichappeared underneath the headline "Lechery and Lead/A Bullet for a ...
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Let the Trader Beware

Trading horses, like trading used cars, is an activity that has always been best entered intowith caution. Traders' tricks are legendary. Many's the dupe who thought ...
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Let’s Go, Cornhuskers! (Meaning Those Who Husk Corn)

Cornhusking was once considered almost a sport. There were cornhusking contests, and farmers “kept score” on the bushels shucked per acre per day. Most of the crop was ...
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Lewis and Clark Expedition, Centennial Observances of

Centennial observances by Fort Calhoun residents of the Lewis and Clark expedition's visit to their locality took place during the summer of 1904. The Blair Pilot of ...
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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.

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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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