The Nebraska City Historical Society, the states preeminent historic preservation organization, originated in 1937 to preserve and protect the history and stories of Nebraska City’s founding members and early settlement. Throughout the decades, Society has helped revive interest in the study of local history, through education and historic preservation while also being the stewards of the Taylor-Wessel-Bickel-Nelson House and the Old Freighters Museum in Nebraska City. The Society is excited to announce that they will be hosting a Summer Book Club, officially kicking off on May 1, 2026. The book, “A Short History of the Lewis & Clark Expedition – 1803-1806” by Daryll D Heresemann, was selected as the summer read. Heresemann’s book is a pure delight to read, with sprinkling of journal entries, and firsthand accounts to feel the true spirit of the Lewis and Clark Journals, but not so much as to overwhelm the reader in minute details,” to Dr. Sara Crook retired Schottenhamel Honors Chair in Humanities at Peru State College. Society President, Kathy McKillip, stated that the book, isn’t a sweeping, novelistic retelling of the expedition; instead, it’s a distilled narrative that moves with the same efficiency that Meriwether Lewis and William Clark might have appreciated when mapping unknown terrain McKillip added that, “Hiresemann’s strength lies in clarity. He doesn’t bog the reader down in excessive detail, yet he avoids flattening the journey into a dry timeline. The book sketches the ambition behind the expedition—Thomas Jefferson’s vision of westward expansion—while still grounding the story in the day-to-day realities of mud, hunger, diplomacy, and sheer uncertainty. You get a sense of motion, of constant forward push, even when progress was painfully slow.” With a slight grin, McKillip stated,” this is something that resonated with the Society when making the selection, progress can be painfully slow at times!” The runner-up for the Summer Book Club was Virginia Ott’s Sterling Carrie which is also locally authored. “ McKillip concluded with “ Since I was in the 4th grade at 14th Street Elementary and participated in the Morton James Library Summer Reading program, I have been a fan of ,and advocate for, reading and book clubs” – recently finishing a 12 year service term on the Lincoln Public Libraries Board of Directors and Chair of the One-Book-One Lincoln Board Committee, Mckillip shared that the Society has the organization of a book club as a goal within their 2026 organizational strategic plan which is to promote, encourage and embrace local authors and historical reads. Monthly questions and thoughts to ponder will be shared via the Society’s Facebook page with a group gathering and discussion at the annual meeting in June. Board member and Treasurer, Gloria Glover shared, “This group is a great place to learn about the history of Nebraska City and share that history with our residents and nonresidents alike and initiating a book club we hope will stimulate more interest in the Society as well” The book will be available for purchase at the Old Freighters Museum, or the Missouri River Basin-Lewis at Clark Center. Readers are encouraged to check Morton James Public Library. Cost to purchase the book at either location is $18.00. Dr. Sara Crook added that, “it is a most pleasant read and should attract a great deal of interest with this being the year of our Nation’s 250th Anniversary! “ Membership for the Society is $20.00/yr. Members are encouraged to participate in the organization’s volunteer activities. To become a member of Nebraska’s oldest Historical Society, send a check and contact information to NCH, PO BOX 175, Nebraska City NE 68410 – please provide your mailing information and email. Or pay online at the Society website of www.nebraskacityhistoricalsociety.com Books are available at both Society Museums for the cost of $18.00. Visit a museum and remember, residents with a 68410-zip code are FREE! We would love to see you!
The Nebraska City Historical Society, the states preeminent historic preservation organization recently received Wirth Foundation funding support. The Society, which originated in 1937 to preserve and protect the history and stories of Nebraska City's founding members and early settlement, was awarded more than $13,275.00 from the Wirth Foundation (Paul/Anton/Doris). The grant was awarded to assist with the Old Freighters Museum Medicinal Garden/Prairie Landscape Project.
The Nebraska City Historical Society, the states preeminent historic preservation organization recently received Wirth Foundation funding support. The Society, which originated in 1937 to preserve and protect the history and stories of Nebraska City’s founding members and early settlement, will be hosting a reveal and ribbon cutting on April 23, at 5:00pm cst. Recently awarded more than $23,000 from the Wirth Foundation (Paul|John|Anton|Doris) grant funds were awarded to assist with the Old Freighters Museum Basement Renovation project. The Basement was severely damaged in February 2024 because of ruptured pipes.
Historic Preservation Award for New-Build Adaptive Use
The Nebraska City Historical Society, the states preeminent historic preservation organization recently received Nebraska Tourism Commission Grant funding support. The Society, which originated in 1937 to preserve and protect the history and stories of Nebraska City’s founding members and early settlement, was awarded more than $10,000 from the Nebraska Tourism Commission Marketing Grant Program. The grant was awarded to assist the Society in the success of a modernized, well-functioning marketing campaign focusing on the nation’s 250th anniversary by incorporating the Westward Movement.
The Nebraska City Historical Society, the states preeminent historic preservation organization recently received Wirth Foundation funding support. The Society, which originated in 1937 to preserve and protect the history and stories of Nebraska City’s founding members and early settlement, was awarded more than $23,000 from the Wirth Foundation (Paul|John|Anton|Doris) The grant was awarded to assist with the Old Freighters Museum Basement Renovation project. The Basement was severely damaged in February 2024 because of ruptured pipes. Wirth Foundation Board member Duane Smith shared, “The Foundation is very interested in supporting Nebraska City and its history, and the Westward movement is part of a special chapter and place within Nebraska City’s development.” The mission of the Paul, John, Anton and Doris Wirth Foundation is to positively impact the community of Nebraska City, by supporting work in the areas of health, education, welfare of children, and other special interest community projects. Society President, Kathy McKillip stated, “I can’t think of a more positive impact for the organization right now that what the Wirth Foundation’s grant is going to provide for us. We will be able to open new educational exhibit space, partner with statewide and national organizations to provide and promote distant learning as it relates to the Westward movement, and utilize all the space Old Freighters has, including a very structurally sound, cool “old” basement!” McKillip added, “you know who true historic preservationist are when they get excited about the “bone” of a structure and Freighters has great bones!” Anton and Walburga, themselves, raised 9 children and were known for charitable contributions of food and lodging to new immigrants in the area. Walburga provided baskets of meat to the poor families and baked wedding cakes for young couples. A generosity and celebration of each other was also evident with the wagon trains and was embraced within the Westward movement, where immigrants and pioneers looked to improve their lives with new opportunities as the country expanded West. McKillip shared “The Society shares several of the same approaches that the Wirth Foundation does such as striving to have a positive impact not only within Nebraska City and Otoe County but statewide, regionally and nationally with our history, exhibits, educational programming and special interest projects. McKillip added, “As we, the Society see things, we are all more like than different and this partnership demonstrates that. We are grateful to the Wirth Foundation for this funding opportunity and look forward to unveiling the new basement remodel before the community. The goal is to finish the project before peak travel season is here.” Society President, Kathy McKillip stated, “This project will provide us an advantage for a different perspective to enhance and educate the visitor’s experience. We look forward to hosting educational sessions and podcasts to promote a more comprehensive approach to Nebraska’s history and the important role Nebraska City, and the Society has played in it – especially as we now engage and celebrate our country’s 250th Anniversary. We love promoting and recognizing all areas of history of Nebraska City, Otoe County and the Westward Movement.” McKillip continued with, “it is important that the Society collaborates and diversifies with many organizations and projects to stay relevant. This is one of those opportunities. The Society works hard to be fiscally responsible by applying for a variety of grants to assist in carrying out the mission of the organization, and we are always looking to increase our membership!” The Society’s website is nebraskacityhistoricalsociety.com and you can find them on Facebook just search and follow NebraskaCityHistoricalSociety Visit a museum and remember, residents with a 68410-zip code are FREE! Our docents would love to see you!
The Nebraska City Historical Society, the states preeminent historic preservation organization, which originated in 1937 to preserve and protect the history and stories of Nebraska City’s founding members and early settlement, was recently awarded more than $2,000 from a Greener Towns grant from the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum (NSA). The grant was part of $49, 750 in grant funds awarded to NSA in 2025 by the Nebraska Environmental Trust. The goal of the grant program is to help Nebraska communities improve and protect their green spaces. Green spaces (also called green infrastructure) are the living complement to the built environment (roads, buildings and utilities) in our cities and towns. Through green infrastructure, we utilize plants to keep a community healthy and vibrant. Green infrastructure improves property values, increases tourism spending, creates recreation opportunities, reduces irrigation demand, relieves burden on stormwater infrastructure, and improves air quality. The Nebraska City Historical Society will use the grant funds to development a Native American medicinal garden focused on promoting the different uses of plants and native food source orchard. This educational project will enhance visitor experience by connecting the native sources of the great plains, specifically the Nebraska region, that assisted in early settlers as wagon trains departed from Nebraska City. “We are so pleased to be able to partner with the Nebraska City Historical Society on this impactful green infrastructure project,” said Nebraska Statewide Arboretum Executive Director Hanna Pinneo. “Public landscapes benefit everyone—including people, pollinators, plants and wildlife—so the more we can do to make them more resilient, the better. We are grateful that the Society has taken the initiative to support a healthier, greener, more vibrant future.” Society President, Kathy McKillip stated, “This project will provide a different perspective to enhance and educate the visitor’s experience. We look forward to hosting educational sessions and podcasts to promote a more comprehensive approach to Nebraska’s history and the important role Nebraska City and the Society has played in it – especially as we approach our country’s 250th Anniversary. We love promoting and recognizing all areas of history of Nebraska City, Otoe County and the Westward Movement. McKillip continued with, “it is important that the Society collaborates and diversifies with many organizations and projects to stay relevant. This is one of those opportunities. The Society works hard to be fiscally responsible by applying for a variety of grants to assist in carrying out the mission of the organization, and we are always looking to increase our membership!” For more information about NSA’s grant opportunities, including eligibility requirements and information about the grant application process, visit plantnebraska.org/funding. The Society’s website is nebraskacityhistoricalsociety.com and you can find them on Facebook just search and follow NebraskaCityHistoricalSociety Visit a museum and remember, residents with a 68410-zip code are FREE! Our docents would love to see you!
Building for the Future: NCHS Begins Renovation Projects
Don't Miss Us! NCHS Property Featured in Nebraska Holiday Passport
Investing in the Future: NCHS Sponsors Student Participation
