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

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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. 

Well Digging, by Henry Sands

Few jobs in early Nebraska required more courage than that of a well digger. Henry Sands of Nebraska City related some of his narrow escapes to the editor of ...

Wentworth’s Elk

Omaha Barracks in January of 1873 was the home of "A Novel Team, Two Elegant Elks . . . Trained to Travel in Harness," according to the January 21, 1873 issue of ...

What Are Legitimate Features of the Fair?

Sideshows have become institutions at most fairs--so much so that it just wouldn't seem like the fair without "the amazing two-headed calf." A hundred years ago, when ...

What Did You Do in the War?

What did you do in the war? That's the question researchers at the Nebraska State Historical Society are trying to answer. In preparation for an exhibit on World War II, ...

When It Absolutely Had to be There Overnight

Modern shipping companies pride themselves on prompt, reliable delivery service, whatever the weather. But few of them could match the phenomenal performance of this ...

When Parks Were a New Idea

Amy Nesbit at Cushman Park, four miles west of Lincoln, 1895. RG716-21-8 Should cities and states set aside some land for public recreation? Today that seems like an ...

When Railroads Promoted Immigration (Updated August 2018)

Railroads used to be Nebraska’s biggest promoters. They even advertised overseas to encourage people to immigrate to Nebraska. By the 1870s the Union Pacific and the ...

Which Baby is the Best?

Baby shows were once a staple of state and local fairs and church festivals in Nebraska. Even private businesses hosted them to draw paying customers into their stores. ...

White Buffalo Girl

A stone in the Laurel Hill Cemetery at Neligh, Nebraska, reads: "White Buffalo Girl, Daughter of Black Elk and Moon Hawk of Ponca Tribe, Died May 23, 1877, enroute from ...

Whitmore, Howard J.

Howard J. Whitmore, whose legal career in Nebraska began in the early 1880s, was in 1937 president of the Lancaster County Bar Association. On May 29 of that year his ...

Why Opera Houses Were More Popular than Opera

Opera houses provided entertainment and culture in small towns throughout Nebraska between 1880 and 1920. Was opera really that popular? It’s true that opera and ...

Wildcat Banks

The wildcat notes issued by some Nebraska territorial banks caused considerable financial instability. The bills had insufficient backing and in some instances, no ...

Contact Us

David Bristow | Publications
History Nebraska
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 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.
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Explore Nebraska
Discover the real places and people of our past at these History Nebraska sites.

Our YouTube Video Collection

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

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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.