about the Nebraska City Historical society

The Nebraska City Historical Society (NCHS), originally established as the Otoe County Historical Society, is Nebraska's oldest historical society. It was founded by members of the Nebraska City Women's Club, including Lulu E. Arnold, Mildred J. Hill, Mrs. Earl Seyfer, and Venus Tyler, with the mission to preserve the county's past and share the stories of its founding and settlement.

A group of people standing in front of a wall holding a plaque

Founding The Society

The group was originally established on April 13th, 1937 as the Otoe County Historical Society. The idea to form an historical society was put forth by the Literature Department of the Nebraska City Women's Club, its members being Lulu E. Arnold, Mildred J. Hill, Mrs. Earl Seyfer, and Venus Tyler.


Charter members of the Society include: President -Judge Paul Jessen, 1st Vice President - M.W. Neihart, 2nd Vice President - Lulu E. Arnold, Secretary - Mrs. Earl Seyfer, Treasurer - Lloyd E. Peterson, and Historian - Mrs. David Anderson. In 1982, Mr. & Mrs. Karl Nelson generously granted space to the Society for meetings, headquarters, and tours in the restored Nelson Historical House. Soon after, in 1986, the group's name was changed to the Nebraska City Historical Society.

Our Mission

Our mission is to to preserve the county's past, the story of its founding and settlement and the habits of the settlers, and to leave such information to posterity. Throughout our existence, we've embodied this by reviving interest in the study of the county and its history as well complete various projects to collect and preserve historical knowledge.


The Society has assisted in the restoration of a number of historical structures and published its research in books and pamphlets. Historical Markers and Monuments and Victorian Architecture in Nebraska City are two such publications still available today.


A group of people are sitting in chairs under a tent

Our Leadership team

A woman stands in front of a wall with nebraska written on it

Kathy McKillip

President
A woman wearing glasses and a brown sweater is smiling for the camera.

Gloria Glover

Treasurer
A woman wearing glasses and a name tag is standing in front of a window.

Margo Blobaum

Secretary
A woman in a red sweater is standing in front of a wall with pictures on it

Lucille Sharp

Board Member
An elderly woman wearing glasses and a vest is smiling for the camera.

Museums Under Management

Today, NCHS operates two of Nebraska City's ten museums.Both museums are open to the public from Arbor Day through Halloween, Friday to Sunday, 12 PM to 4 PM .​

A red brick house with white trim and a sign in front of it. Nelson House.

Nelson House


The Taylor-Wessel-Bickel-Nelson House is a museum inside an 1857 brick home which sits on one of the historic brick streets just a couple blocks off Central Avenue in Nebraska City.


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A large white house with a large porch

Old Freighters Museum


The Old Freighters Museum contains numerous galleries dedicated to the history of the freighting company, the men who ran the wagon trains, and the journeys they experienced. 


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Support our society

Help us to preserve the history & significance of Nebraska City by Donating or getting involved with us today!