Historic Preservation

Nebraska Historical Marker Program

Historical Marker Program

To View Markers

There are multiple ways to view historical markers across the state.

Markers Interpret

  • Events: broad patterns of history
  • People: significant contributions and where they were made
  • Prehistory and Archeology: what sites reveal about past peoples
  • Cultural Heritage: groups that make Nebraska distinctive
  • State History: significant contribution to Nebraska’s state story

To Apply:

By Mail:

Historical Markers Program
1500 R Street
Lincoln, NE 68508

By Email:

[email protected]

Local sponsors are responsible for financing the marker.

State Historical Markers are not available to commemorate individuals, organizations or structures primarily for their longevity, public service or philanthropy. Subjects must meet the criteria for historical significance above.

Historic markers should be located on public property. When possible, the marker should be located at or near the historic site the marker interprets. History Nebraska and the Nebraska Department of Transportation will help find a suitable site.

You can find markers across the state in our Explore Nebraska History App or the Historic Marker website.

Highway Historical Markers; erection or maintenance:

Written consent of History Nebraska required (Nebraska Revised Statute 82-123)
It shall be unlawful for any person, public or private corporation, association, or organization to post, erect, or maintain any historical marker, monument, sign or notice, on public property or any place in the state, upon any public street, road, or highway in the state bearing any legend, inscription, or notice which purports to record any historical event, incident, or fact or to maintain any such historical marker, monument, notice, or sign posted or erected after September 20, 1957, unless a written certificate of approval has first been secured from the Historical Land Mark Council or, after December 25, 1969, from History Nebraska.

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Our members make history happen.

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Marker Information

Marker Designs and Prices
Fixing Markers
Marker App

All Markers are cast aluminum, silver letters against a blue background, with a state seal.

Two posts:
5′ wide by 6′ tall, 180 words
$7,000 including posts and shipping

Single-post:
42″ wide by 30″ tall, 80 words
$2,700 including post and shipping

Tablet-Style:
6′ wide by 3′ tall, 170 words
$4,000 including shipping
Requires wall mounting or a masonry base at local cost

Support your local marker! Repainting a historic marker can be fun for your group or community. Use these marker painting specs. Your local auto body shop may be able to repaint the marker for you or you can gather a group to paint.

Our Explore Nebraska History app is the easiest way to find Nebraska Historical Markers in your area or access marker information from afar. You can download it on the App Store or Google Play. There is also a desktop version.

Help Shape History

Become a Member

Being a member is the easiest way to be involved in our mission to preserve and share our state's rich history. Find out how!

Volunteer

Volunteers work with History Nebraska staff members to support our mission

Start Your Career

Interested in joining the History Nebraska team? Keep an eye on job listings!
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.
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.

Listen to our Podcast

Listen to the articles and authors published in the Nebraska History Magazine with our new Nebraska History Podcast.

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.