The Future of Nebraska History Museum

For several years the Nebraska History Museum has lacked long-term exhibits that tell a comprehensive story of our state’s history.  While some aspects of the state’s history are currently displayed, most of the collection remains in the basement.

Rebuilding and Expanding Long-Term Exhibits

The Nebraska State Historical Society plans to rebuild and expand these exhibits in 5 phases, one per year:

  • First Nebraskans.  The history of Indigenous peoples, from earliest archeological evidence up to the time of Lewis and Clark, plus other materials about Native cultures and how they endure to the present day.
  • Nebraska Territory (1804 – 1867).  Covering the fur trade and overland trails eras, the settlement era following 1854, the Civil War, and the path to statehood.
  • Building Nebraska (1867 – 1916).  The development of the state until just before US entry into World War I.
  • The World Wars (1917 – 1945).  World Ware I, the 1920s The Great Depression, World War II.
  • Post-WWII (1946 – ?).  This section might be topical, based on the strength of the collection, up to perhaps 40 years ago.

In addition to the exhibits, we would like to add a dedicated learning space.  Such a classroom would serve tens-of-thousands of students a year, in addition to countless families on the weekends.  The classroom would facilitate “history experiments” and unique learning opportunities for children from across all of Nebraska.

We hope someday to install a sizable Nebraska artifact that gives the museum a distinctly Nebraska characteristic.

exhibit plan
exhibit plan
exhibit plan

Donate today to support this project!

Nebraska State Historical Society and NSHSF will work closely together to raise the $2,120,000 for this rebuild and expansion. The five exhibits are estimated to cost $400,000 each, with an additional $120,000 needed for the Classroom and Family Learning Center.

To make the most efficient use of funding, we will do most of the fabrication in-house, designing display cases and other items for re-use and adaptability.  Exhibits will be based on artifacts that we already have in the museum’s possession.

The Foundation has already committed $80,000 to jump start the project. We have approved the purchase of a 3D printer, a C&C machine and a laser cutter. The 3D printer will produce specialized mounts for artifacts, and for exhibit components such as the three Capitol buildings and the petroglyphs from Thurston County.  The C&C machine will make display cabinetry and caseworks. The laser cutter will have quite a few uses: to cut specialized acrylic cases and to make custom mounts; and to cut lettering for signage and other custom shapes.  
 
The 1980’s, the Weese Lageschulte Fund, will provide funding for the agricultural components for each of the five exhibits.
DONATE TODAY

To donate via check, please make your check payable to the NSHS Foundation and mail to:
1201 Lincoln Mall, Suite 100
Lincoln, NE, 68508