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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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Ashland, the First Saunders County Seat

William H. Ashby Relatively few ex-Confederates chose to locate in Nebraska Territory following the close of the Civil War. One who did was William H. Ashby, a ...
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Automobile Camp at Elmwood Park

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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Automobile Culture

As automobile ownership and travel became more widespread in Nebraska after 1900 (and particularly after the dedication of the Lincoln Highway in October of 1913), the ...
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Automobile Thieves

The introduction of automobiles was soon followed by the appearance of automobile thieves. The Motorist (Omaha) in its August 1920 issue denounced automobile-related ...
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Automobiles for Women, the Overland Coupe

At the beginning of the 1910s, women drivers in the United States were still only a small minority--perhaps no more than five percent of the total number of drivers. But ...
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Autos and Airplanes in 1919

World War I saw a rapid technological development of aircraft. The end of hostilities stimulated interest in the possible commercial uses of the airplane. Military ...
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Balloon Ascension

After the Civil War hot air balloon "barnstormers" traveled around the country, demonstrating their aerial prowess at local fairs and celebrations. Some even jumped from ...
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Banking in Nebraska Territory

Nebraska delegate Henry W. Yates addressed the World's Congress of Bankers and Financiers in June of 1894 in Chicago on Nebraska's experience with wildcat banks during ...
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Barbour, Erwin H.

Well-known geologist and paleontologist Erwin H. Barbour (1856-1947) left an indelible mark on the history of these disciplines in Nebraska. Barbour had studied ...
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Barns in Nebraska Territory

Why is it there are no barns in this Territory?" asked the Nebraska Farmer in December 1861. "In all of the Middle States-even among the very first settlers, a barn was ...
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Baseball

Interest in baseball goes back to the late l860s in this state. The Nebraska Herald of Plattsmouth said on May 1, 1867: "The friends of athletic sports in Omaha, and ...
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Baseball at Cushman Park

Baseball was a part of the Lancaster County Old Settlers' Association reunion and picnic on June 19, 1889, at Cushman Park in Lincoln. The Nebraska State Journal of June ...
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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
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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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