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Category Archives: Nebraska Memories
Throwback Thursday: “America It’s Up to You”
It’s an all American #ThrowbackThursday!

Dated 1917, “America It’s Up to You” is a song written by Alevia Chins and Horace Haws of Omaha, Nebraska. Half the price of the music was donated in support of the Red Cross during World War I. Originally published by Haws & Chins Co. Music Publishers in Fairbury, Nebraska.
Verse 1:
You love the freedom that Old Glory gives you,
You know the men to whom the credit’s due
They’re men that gladly gave their lives to save their sweethearts and their wives
They were Americans thru and thru
The country’s going to need a lot of men
There’s lots of them will not return again
But our flag we must protect they must treat it with respect
America it’s up to you
Verse 2:
Don’t leave the fighting to the other fellow,
Don’t let them say we’ve got a streak of yellow
Remember Lincoln and your flag the chance to fight should make you glad
When you think of what it means to you
Don’t go and hide behind your sweethearts skirt
Don’t let them say Americans will shirk
Let us all go forth and fight for our freedom and our right
America it’s up to you
Chorus:
America its up to you
To show what you can do
We must take this war to heart all of us must do our part
And fight for the Red White and Blue
The president has called on you
Show him that you’re true blue
There’s a debt we owe to France to pay her here’s our chance
America it’s up to you
This image and musical performance is published and owned by the Polley Music Library (Lincoln City Libraries, Lincoln, Nebraska), which contains just over two hundred fifty pieces of Nebraska sheet music, as well as concert programs, manuscripts, theatre programs, photographs, and other Nebraska memorabilia which features an element of music. You can also listen to a dozen performances of selections from this music collection performed by local musicians.
See this collection and many more on the Nebraska Memories archive!
The Nebraska Memories archive is brought to you by the Nebraska Library Commission. If your institution is interested in participating in Nebraska Memories, see http://nlc.nebraska.gov/nebraskamemories/participation.aspx for more information.
Throwback Thursday: 16th Street from Harney Street, Omaha
Take a walk on the town this #ThrowbackThursday!
This 14 x 9 cm color postcard has a birds-eye view looking north along 16th Street from Harney Street, in Omaha, Nebraska. The large building in the upper left is the New York Life Building at the northeast corner of 17th & Farnam. The conical topped building on the right hand side of the street is the Paxton Block at the northeast corner of 16th & Farnam. A sign for the Schlitz Cafe and Hotel is also seen on the building at the northwest corner of 16th & Harney. At the far end of 16th street on the west side is the clock tower for the old post office building. The image was probably taken from the sixteen story City National Bank building built on the southeast corner of 16th & Harney. There are several pedestrians and early model cars seen.
This image is published and owned by the Omaha Public Library. They have a large collection of 1,100+ postcards and photographs of the Omaha area.
See this collection and many more on the Nebraska Memories archive!
The Nebraska Memories archive is brought to you by the Nebraska Library Commission. If your institution is interested in participating in Nebraska Memories, see http://nlc.nebraska.gov/nebraskamemories/participation.aspx for more information.
Posted in General, Nebraska Memories, Preservation
Tagged Omaha, Omaha Public Library, Throwback Thursday
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Throwback Thursday: Charles B. Washington and Angela Davis
Happy Juneteenth #ThrowbackThursday!

Charles B. Washington and Angela Davis are sitting together on a television studio set in this 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ color photograph. “At Omaha” is visible on a red framed object on the wall behind them. The time stamp on the Kodak photographic paper reads “May 75”.
This image is published and owned by the Omaha Public Library. They have a large collection of 1,100+ postcards and photographs of the Omaha area, as well as the Charles B. Washington Collection, comprising items relating to the life of Washington, a local civil rights activist.
See this collection and many more on the Nebraska Memories archive!
The Nebraska Memories archive is brought to you by the Nebraska Library Commission. If your institution is interested in participating in Nebraska Memories, see http://nlc.nebraska.gov/nebraskamemories/participation.aspx for more information.
Throwback Thursday: Old Man in Front of Home
Happy #ThrowbackThursday everybody!

This black and white stereoscopic photograph is on a postcard, and pictures an old man standing in front of a farmhouse by the gate of a fence. Dated 1907-1917.
This image is published and owned by the History Nebraska. They digitized content from the John Nelson and the J. A. Anderson collection. John Nelson came to Nebraska with his parents at the age of seventeen from Sweden. His photographs tell the story of small town life in Nebraska during the first decades of the twentieth century.
See this collection and many more on the Nebraska Memories archive!
The Nebraska Memories archive is brought to you by the Nebraska Library Commission. If your institution is interested in participating in Nebraska Memories, see http://nlc.nebraska.gov/nebraskamemories/participation.aspx for more information.
Posted in General, Nebraska Memories, Preservation
Tagged History Nebraska, John Nelson, Throwback Thursday
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Throwback Thursday: Chautauqua Park Auditorium
Happy #ThrowbackThursday!

The Chautauqua Park auditorium is shown in this contact print labeled “The Auditorium, 140×280 feet”. The structure is actually an open sided pavilion covered by a roof supported with upright timbers. The unusual multi-sided tower creates a pinnacle for the facility and probably serves as a park landmark when seen from a distance. A number of rowing enthusiasts have positioned their row boats near the water’s edge while other men and women are arriving by horse and buggy, most likely to attend a lecture in this public building. The Christian Park Assembly Association was incorporated in early 1889 and by 1892 had created a sixty-seven acre park located at the north end of Nye Avenue. The park included various buildings and a man-made lake as well as a sheltered plunge bath and an auditorium.
This image is owned by the Dodge County Historical Society, and published by Keene Memorial Library. Both are located in Fremont, Nebraska, and they worked as partners to digitize and describe content owned by the historical society. The collection of photographs documents life in Fremont in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
See this collection and many more on the Nebraska Memories archive!
The Nebraska Memories archive is brought to you by the Nebraska Library Commission. If your institution is interested in participating in Nebraska Memories, see http://nlc.nebraska.gov/nebraskamemories/participation.aspx for more information.
Throwback Thursday: Evelyn Powell
We’re back with another #ThrowbackThursday!

This is a 3″x5″ acetate negative bust portrait photograph of Evelyn Powell, from David City, Nebraska. She is wearing a military uniform with anchor insignia on the jacket collar and stripes on the upper sleeve.
This image is published as part of the Boston Studio Project collection, and is owned by both them and the Thorpe Opera House Foundation. The Boston Studio Collection consists of over 68,000 negatives that record life in and around David City, Nebraska from 1893 to 1979.
See this collection and many more on the Nebraska Memories archive!
The Nebraska Memories archive is brought to you by the Nebraska Library Commission. If your institution is interested in participating in Nebraska Memories, see http://nlc.nebraska.gov/nebraskamemories/participation.aspx for more information.
Throwback Thursday: Calumet Cafe
Looking to dine out this #ThrowbackThursday?

This 7-3/4″ x 5-1/2″ black and white photograph shows the interior of the Calumet Cafe, located on the east side of Fairmont Avenue. There are tables with tablecloths in the center of the room, booths along the right wall, and a snack bar with stools near the front. Display cases and shelves with merchandise line the left side of the room, and streamers hang from the ceiling. Several customers sit at the tables and booth. Two male employees stand by the display cases, and a female employee stands by one of the tables. In August 1907, the cafe was purchased by A.B. Tomasek, and it became Mrs. Tony’s Cafe.
This image is published and owned by the Fairmont Public Library. In partnership with the Fillmore County Historical Society, the Fairmont Public Library digitized photographs from their collections depicting the history of Fillmore County. The photos in this collection feature local businesses, schools, churches, as well as the Fairmont Army Airfield, which was used during World War II.
See this collection and many more on the Nebraska Memories archive!
The Nebraska Memories archive is brought to you by the Nebraska Library Commission. If your institution is interested in participating in Nebraska Memories, see http://nlc.nebraska.gov/nebraskamemories/participation.aspx for more information.
Posted in General, Nebraska Memories, Preservation
Tagged Calumet Cafe, Fairmont Public Library, Throwback Thursday
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Throwback Thursday: Holen Tie Quilt
We’re back with more #ThrowbackThursday!

This 6″ x 4″ color photograph is a close-up of the center of a quilt made out of neckties. The ties are arranged in several concentric circles. “This is the Holen Boys Necktie Quilt” is embroidered on the center of the quilt. This tie quilt was made by members of the Holen family and was part of a traveling display arranged by the Smithsonian Institution.
This image is published by the Holdrege Area Public Library and owned by the Phelps County Historical Society who partnered together to digitize a collection of images portraying the history of Phelps County since the mid 1880’s.
See this collection and many more on the Nebraska Memories archive!
The Nebraska Memories archive is brought to you by the Nebraska Library Commission. If your institution is interested in participating in Nebraska Memories, see http://nlc.nebraska.gov/nebraskamemories/participation.aspx for more information.
Throwback Thursday: Tree Planting
Happy early Arbor Day #ThrowbackThursday!

In this 8″x10″ glass plate negative from 1915, men pose with two horse-drawn wagons loaded with trees. Behind them trees have been planted along a walkway.
This image is published and owned by the Townsend Studio, which has been in continuous operation since its foundation in 1888 in Lincoln, Nebraska. The studio holds a collection of glass plate and acetate negatives of early Lincoln and its residents.
See this collection and many more on the Nebraska Memories archive!
The Nebraska Memories archive is brought to you by the Nebraska Library Commission. If your institution is interested in participating in Nebraska Memories, see http://nlc.nebraska.gov/nebraskamemories/participation.aspx for more information.
Posted in General, Nebraska Memories, Preservation
Tagged Arbor Day, glass plate negative, Throwback Thursday, Townsend Studio
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Throwback Thursday: History Club
Let’s dive into history this #ThrowbackThursday!

This 5-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ black and white photograph from 1916 shows the History Club posed in a classroom in the Administration Building, Nebraska State Normal School at Kearney. Third from left, back row, is Professor C.L. Anderson.
This image is published and owned by the University of Nebraska at Kearney, Archives, Calvin T. Ryan Library. Their collection includes images that show faculty, students, buildings and activities from the first dozen years of the school’s existence.
See this collection and many more on the Nebraska Memories archive!
The Nebraska Memories archive is brought to you by the Nebraska Library Commission. If your institution is interested in participating in Nebraska Memories, see http://nlc.nebraska.gov/nebraskamemories/participation.aspx for more information.
Throwback Thursday: Children’s Room, Kearney Public Library
Happy National Library Week #ThrowbackThursday!

This 9.5″ x 7.5″ black and white photograph of the children’s room of the Kearney Public Library shows model sailing ships sitting on top of bookcases, tables with built-in lamps, and view of circulation desk. Library building was funded by Carnegie, and completed in 1904.
This image is published and owned by the Nebraska Library Commission. The collections include material on the history of libraries in the state of Nebraska, items from the 1930s related to the Nebraska Public Library Commission bookmobile, as well as items showcasing the history of Nebraska’s state institutions.
See this collection and many more on the Nebraska Memories archive!
The Nebraska Memories archive is brought to you by the Nebraska Library Commission. If your institution is interested in participating in Nebraska Memories, see http://nlc.nebraska.gov/nebraskamemories/participation.aspx for more information.
Throwback Thursday: C.P. Coy & Co. Seed House
It’s a corny #ThrowbackThursday!

In this 5-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ black and white photograph, “C.P. Coy Son & Co. Wholesale Seeds – Sweet, Flint & Dent Corn” is painted on the front of a three-story wood frame building next to the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. A St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railroad freight car sits at the side of the building. Printed on the photograph is: “No. 11, C.P. Coy & Co seed house, Valley, Nebr.”
The Coy Seed House was an important industry for Valley, Nebraska. The building built in 1903 was one of the largest seed houses in the country. Many kinds of seeds were packaged and sold around the country, including beans, corn and pumpkin. The seed packets were sold in hardware stores, grocery stores and nurseries. In later years, the building became the Midwest Popcorn Company. In 1947, it was destroyed by fire.
This image is published and owned by the Valley Public Library. The Friends of the Valley Public Library, Valley, Nebraska, have digitized and described a collection of photographs depicting businesses and members of the local population between the late 1800s and 1900s in Valley.
See this collection and many more on the Nebraska Memories archive!
The Nebraska Memories archive is brought to you by the Nebraska Library Commission. If your institution is interested in participating in Nebraska Memories, see http://nlc.nebraska.gov/nebraskamemories/participation.aspx for more information.
Throwback Thursday: Bandstand in Hanscom Park
Enjoy the sunshine this #ThrowbackThursday!

Dated around 1907, this black and white photograph pictures a portable bandstand that has been assembled on the grass at Hanscom Park, located at 3201 Woolworth Avenue in Omaha, Nebraska. The bandstand has wheels underneath, so that it can be transported easily. There are chairs and lamps on the surface of the bandstand. Many trees can be seen in the background
This image is published and owned by the Omaha Public Library. They have a large collection of 1,100+ postcards and photographs of the Omaha area.
See this collection and many more on the Nebraska Memories archive!
The Nebraska Memories archive is brought to you by the Nebraska Library Commission. If your institution is interested in participating in Nebraska Memories, see http://nlc.nebraska.gov/nebraskamemories/participation.aspx for more information.
Throwback Thursday: Immanuel Nursing School Basketball Players
March Madness is upon us #ThrowbackThursday!

In this black and white photograph, three team members of the Immanuel Deaconess Institute’s School of Nursing Basketball Team perform a jump shot on the basketball court in Bloom Hall. They are wearing basketball uniforms, knee pads, and sneakers. The letters “ISN” can be seen on the players’ shirts. This picture was taken in Bloom Hall, which was constructed in 1937 for the School of Nursing Athletics.
This image is published and owned by the Alegent Health Immanuel Medical Center, located in Bellevue, Nebraska. They have a mission to preserve, collect, display, and document objects and records related to the history of Sarpy County.
See this collection and many more on the Nebraska Memories archive!
The Nebraska Memories archive is brought to you by the Nebraska Library Commission. If your institution is interested in participating in Nebraska Memories, see http://nlc.nebraska.gov/nebraskamemories/participation.aspx for more information.
Throwback Thursday: Agnes and Christina Hilger
It’s a beautiful #ThrowbackThursday!

A 4″x6″ glass plate negative, portrait photograph of Agnes and Christina Hilger, from David City, Nebraska. Agnes and Christina Hilger were the two youngest daughters of John and Florence Hilger. Agnes was born in Missouri, July 1881. Agnes married Allen B. Smith. Christine was born in Missouri, September 23, 1877, and died May 25, 1968, in David City, Nebraska, where she is buried in St. Mary’s cemetery.
This image is published as part of the Boston Studio Project collection, and is owned by both them and the Thorpe Opera House Foundation. The Boston Studio Collection consists of over 68,000 negatives that record life in and around David City, Nebraska from 1893 to 1979.
See this collection and many more on the Nebraska Memories archive!
The Nebraska Memories archive is brought to you by the Nebraska Library Commission. If your institution is interested in participating in Nebraska Memories, see http://nlc.nebraska.gov/nebraskamemories/participation.aspx for more information.
Throwback Thursday: Annual Traffic Report
Pull over, it’s #ThrowbackThursday!

This is the cover of a 35 page annual report booklet from 1941, containing statistical information from the Lincoln Police Department, Traffic Division. The report has 37 tables which include the following information: review of 1941 traffic fatalities, total traffic accidents, persons injured, violations, condition of driver, type of motor vehicle, road and weather conditions, and moving violations.
This image is published and owned by the Lincoln Police Department. Their collection includes digitized images of police officers from 1885-1907 and department annual reports from 1942-1973.
See this collection and many more on the Nebraska Memories archive!
The Nebraska Memories archive is brought to you by the Nebraska Library Commission. If your institution is interested in participating in Nebraska Memories, see http://nlc.nebraska.gov/nebraskamemories/participation.aspx for more information.
Throwback Thursday: Inside Nelson & Company Post Office and Store
Got any errands to run this #ThrowbackThursday?

This 6″ x 4″ black and white photograph shows four men inside a store in Potter, Nebraska. Counters and shelves stocked with merchandise line each side of the single aisle. The floor and ceiling are covered with wooden planks. At the rear of the store, a wood stove sits in front of a bank of mailboxes and the post office window. Standing by the stove is Jake Woten, an early postmaster in Potter. Behind the counter, front to back, are: Fred Nelson, postmaster; and his brothers Joe and Emil Nelson. In the far back right corner, a ladder-type staircase rises to the second floor, and a over the door next to the staircase a sign advertises: “Snider’s pork and beans with tomato sauce”. This building now houses the Potter Museum.
This image is published and owned by the Cheyenne County Historical Society and Museum, located in Sidney, Nebraska. Their collection holds many historical photographs of people and places in Sidney, Fort Sidney, Potter, Dalton, and other communities and sites in the county.
See this collection and many more on the Nebraska Memories archive!
The Nebraska Memories archive is brought to you by the Nebraska Library Commission. If your institution is interested in participating in Nebraska Memories, see http://nlc.nebraska.gov/nebraskamemories/participation.aspx for more information.
Throwback Thursday: Christmas Card with Picture of Charles B. Washington & Tony Brown
Happy Black History Month #ThrowbackThursday!
The inside of this 5-1/2″x8-1/2″ 1974 Christmas greeting card has a color photograph of Tony Brown presenting the Fredrick Douglass Liberation Award to Charles B. Washington. Washington is holding the award as Brown shakes his hand. Written inside is:
Joy for me in 1974 was receiving the Frederick Douglass Liberation Award for “truth and excellence in communications” from the Howard University School of Communications by “providing spirit and substance to a thrust for relevant Black programming in his role as television host for the weekly ‘Omaha, Can We Do?’ program” over WOW-TV.
Charles B. Washington
Picture above shows Howard Communications School Dean Tony Brown (right) making award presentation to me at Washington, D.C. banquet.
This image is published and owned by the Omaha Public Library, who’s collection includes early Omaha-related maps dating from 1825 to 1922, as well as over 1,100 postcards and photographs of the Omaha area, as well as the Charles B. Washington Collection which is comprised of items relating to the life of Washington, a local civil rights activist.
See this collection and many more on the Nebraska Memories archive!
The Nebraska Memories archive is brought to you by the Nebraska Library Commission. If your institution is interested in participating in Nebraska Memories, see http://nlc.nebraska.gov/nebraskamemories/participation.aspx for more information.