About Us

The Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation is the fundraising arm for the Nebraska State Historical Society. Our objective is to support the NSHS to support their projects and programs. We also hold endowments, publishing, and the Ford Center What we do.

The Nebraska State Historical Society was founded in 1878 to “encourage historical research and inquiry, spread historical information…and to embrace alike aboriginal and modern history.” In 1883 the Society was designated a state institution and began receiving financial support from the legislature. Legislation in 1994 changed the Society from a state institution to a state agency. The mission of the Nebraska State Historical Society is to collect, preserve, and open to all the histories we share. For more information, visit www.nebraskahistory.org.

The Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation was incorporated in 1942 as a public, nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization to serve as a vehicle to receive private funds donated to assist the Nebraska State Historical Society toward accomplishing its mission and goals. Although the Historical Society is a state agency, it relies on gifts from its membership and friends to make certain that our heritage is preserved, interpreted, and remembered for the inspiration of future generations.