Nebraska City Historical Society Begins Renovation Projects

1. Historic Preservation Award for Building/Structure This building was originally built in 1929 through the actions and donations of the residents of Nebraska City. The building operated as a home for the Nebraska National Guard, school events, plays, dances, and many other community activities. Operations continued through 2007 when the building was closed by the City of Nebraska City, due to operating costs. In 2016, a project was formed to fund and complete renovation of the building to again be a landmark in the community and an activity center that continues as a memorial to veterans of all branches of US military service. US military service. The restoration included complete replacement of windows and doors, installation of HVAC system, reconfiguration of floor plans to include ADA bathrooms, replacement and/or repair of flooring, creation of offices, installation of updated lighting and sound for the auditorium and reinstallation of community kitchen. The 2025 Historic Preservation Award for a Building or Structure goes to.... THE NEBRASKA CITY VETERANS MEMORIAL BUILDING 2. Historic Preservation Award for Education: Education and outreach are a critical component in preserving and promoting history. It also can reveal itself in many ways. National Historic Landmark designations are vital to preserving our history. These designations are not only incredibly time consuming to research prepare and present for consideration, but they also provide the ability to elevate a landmark to national status which in turn gives access to the research and history. On December 16, 2024, this Landmark became one of the other 21 National Historic Landmarks in not only Nebraska City, but Nebraska. Operated as a commercial enterprise in the same building in Nebraska City from 1903 – 1991, the firm was established in Nebraska City on August 19th, 1879. Seeing a plethora of changes and evolution within the business industry of Nebraska City, this business remained, relevant. The company remained an active commercial entity in Nebraska City until 1991. In 1993, heirs of the estate donated the factory and its contents to a local nonprofit to establish a historic museum. The 2025 Historic Preservation Award for Education goes to..... The KREGEL WINDMILL FACTORY MUSEUM. 3. Historic Preservation Award for Preservation Collaboration: Our next award recipient clearly knows the definition of the word COLLABORATION. More than 7 partners were involved on several levels to bring this project to fruition through historic preservation. Restoration projects are never what they seem, or all encompass from the naked eye. Those who have tackled restoration projects can fully attest to the “surprises” that are revealed to move the needle to completion. There was no exception for this project. As a matter of fact, the more that was revealed during the restoration process the more the collaborative efforts grew! Referred to as the “one great big jigsaw puzzle” special attention was required to embrace the historical restoration and representation of 16 historic leaders. Several years of vandalism compounded the pieces of the puzzle which required additional collaborative efforts from an artist in Colorado. This project highlighted the cooperation and involvement with local community members and businesses and could not have been completed without the support of the community, as it is stated on our State’s Capitol, “the Salvation of the State is Watchfulness in the Citizen” this monument, now has a community of watchful eyes upon it in honoring the 16 chiefs. The 2025 Historic Preservation Award for Preservation through Collaboration is... THE NEBRASKA CITY ROTARY CLUB – for the restoration and preservation of the Pawnee Indian Treaty Monument. (and we are also pleased to hear that Randy and Don avoided jail time to complete the project – you will have to ask them (wink wink) 4. The Dr. Lawrence (Larry) L. Falk Award for Westward Trail Movement: Larry was a faithful and dedicated board member for the Society for many years. He was a pastor, professor and passionate about preservation and bluebirds. The Old Freighters Museum was a project that was near and dear to Larry. Seeking ways to educate, promote and preserve the history of the westward trail movement. This award is to recognize effort in the forefront of history connected with our westward movement, trails, 19th Century history, freighting and its relationship to Nebraska City and Nebraska. This year’s recipient authored An Eye for History: The Paintings of William Henry Jackson. Jackson was a soldier in the Civil War, a painter and early photographer. He has been credited with inventing post cards, sketching camp scenes during the Civil War giving them to soldiers to send home. After the war he came to Nebraska City where he was a bullwhacker on a freight wagon bound for Salt Lake City. Jackson later worked for the U.S. Geological Survey as a photographer. As a historian, curator at Scotts Bluff National Monument for more than 11 years, a curator at the National Park Service’s Gettysburg’s National Military Park for 6 years rounding out a career with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at DeSoto Wildlife refuge for 12 years clearly demonstrates the importance and impact our national parks have in relationship to historic preservation. This individual’s dedication in sharing his knowledge of history personally impacted the Old Freighters Museum through his research, and book while also assisting other writers conducting research regarding the American West and Nebraska Trail’s in particular. The 2025 LARRY FALK AWARD FOR WESTWARD TRAIL MOVEMENT IS PRESENTED TO … Dean Knudsen – accepting on Dean’s behalf tonight is the Author of Isaac: A Journey to Oregon (available for sale here tonight) Kevin Boos.  5. The Nebraska City Historical Society Presidents Award The President’s Award is to recognize outstanding achievement in the field of historic preservation. A project or individual must have demonstrated a significant contribution to preservation and interpretation of Nebraska City – related history, including: outstanding restoration efforts on historic Nebraska City sites, innovative educational programs focused on Nebraska City’s life and legacy, community engagement initiatives to promote Nebraska City’s heritage, and exemplary stewardship of Nebraska City’s era artifacts or documents: essentially showcasing a dedicated commitment to preserving Nebraska City’s history legacy in the community. This recipient organized docents at local museums when no one else was available on a weekly basis and even staffed them when no one else could to ensure that they would be open to the public. An educator and collector of Nebraska City memorabilia, it was a natural direction to showcase pieces from the collections during numerous programs to local community groups and school programs to ensure that the history of Nebraska City is not to be forgotten. Spending countless hours hosting meetings and sharing information to ensure history is preserved. As a middle school teach for 40-years, with a passion for History and Social Studies, you can be guaranteed that Nebraska City’s history was always incorporated into a required assignment or as motivation for some extra credit. This recipient has also served as President for more than 13 years to Nebraska’s oldest historic preservation society, the Nebraska City Historical Society. I sure hope that is an exception to the rule versus expectation! It is my great pleasure to share, that the 2025 NEBRASKA CITY HISTORICAL SOCIETY PRESIDENTS AWARD IS PRESENTED TO…… SUSAN QUINN.