History Nebraska

Publications

Who We Are

History Nebraska 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.

  • Nebraska History Magazine (quarterly for History Nebraska members)
  • History Nebraska’s monthly email newsletter (full of history and the latest HN news)
  • Nebraska History Moments weekly emails (photo and short story)
  • Books

Become a Member!

Our members make history happen.

"Nebraska Timeline" Columns

From 1992 – 2019, History Nebraska 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. 

The Pie Lover’s Delight

Rhubarb, a plant well known to pie and dessert lovers in Nebraska, has a long history in this state. Its use as a substitute for fruit in a newly settled country where ...

The Preacher Took a Drink

Preachers didn't have an easy lot in Nebraska's early days. A goodly portion of our citizens were what we now call "the unchurched"--at best they were apathetic to the ...

The Prohibition Amendment

Every election has its hot issues. Deficits and radioactive waste may confront us now, but here's what voters in 1890 faced: "The greatest question ever before the ...

The Pure Food Question

"Gypsum in cayenne pepper and ginger, canned meats containing borax or sulfites or both, glucose in preservatives, starch and phosphates in cream of tartar and ...

The Rescue of Oscar Phelps

"Quite an exciting scene was witnessed last evening, on the river bank just opposite Boyd's packing house," said the Omaha Daily Bee on January 23, 1882, "which came ...

The Rhyming Recipe

There once was a time when a homemaker's reputation depended, in good measure, on her ability to produce a good loaf of bread. Here's a rhyming 1903 recipe designed to ...

The Search for Better Babies

"If better live stock, why not better babies?" asked a member of the Grange in the pages of the Farm Journal (Philadelphia) in December of 1913. It was a natural ...

The Shoemaker’s Ashes

"Edward Kuehl, one of the most peculiar characters that ever lived in Omaha, or anywhere else, was found dead in his bed last night in the back room of his place of ...

The Squatter Governor’s Inaugural Address

Times may have been rough in Nebraska's territorial days, but settlers tried to find humor in adversity. Then as now, politics were sometimes a laughing matter. In 1857, ...

The Stage Ride

Vacationers heading towards Nebraska's Pine Ridge, and the Black Hills beyond, have the prospect of a pleasant journey through spectacular scenery. The trip hasn't ...

The Wild West in 1902

In an age of great showmen and traveling entertainers, William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody's Wild West eventually became a moving extravaganza, including not only cowboys and ...

The Wild, Wild West

The wild and wooly American West has been fodder for stories, dime novels, comic books, motion pictures, and television programs. Many fictionalized accounts exaggerate ...

Contact Us

David Bristow | Publications
History Nebraska
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 History Nebraska on Facebook for event news, cool historical photos, and fascinating stories from the History Nebraska blog. Members receive Nebraska History News.
About History Nebraska
History Nebraska was founded in 1878 as the Nebraska State Historical Society 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 History Nebraska from a state institution to a state agency. The division is headed by Interim Director and CEO Jill Dolberg. They are assisted by an administrative staff responsible for financial and personnel functions, museum store services, security, and facilities maintenance for History Nebraska.
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Explore Nebraska
Discover the real places and people of our past at these History Nebraska sites.

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 History Nebraska members.

Latest Hall of Fame Inductee

The Nebraska Hall of Fame was established in 1961 to officially recognize prominent Nebraskans.

Become a Member

The work we do to discover, preserve, and share Nebraska's history wouldn't be possible without the support of History Nebraska members.
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Nebraska Collections

History Nebraska's mission is to collect, preserve, and open our shared history to all Nebraskans.

Our YouTube Video Collection

Get a closer look at Nebraska's history through your own eyes, with our extensive video collections.

Additional Research Resources

History Nebraska Research and Reference Services help connect you to the material we collect and preserve.

Support History Nebraska
Make a cash donation to help us acquire, preserve, and interpret Nebraska’s history. Gifts to History Nebraska help leave a legacy and may help your taxes, too! Support the work of History Nebraska by donating to the History Nebraska Foundation today.

Volunteers are the heroes of History Nebraska. 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.