Category Archives: Information Resources

On September 20, 1904, Wilbur Wright flew the first complete circle in history by a manned heavier-than-air powered machine, flying the Wright brothers’ biplane  4,080 feet.  It wasn’t a quick circle, taking about a minute and a half.  This image from the Library of Congress American Memory Collection of  a page from  Wilbur’s logbook shows data and a diagram of the flight.

It wasn’t long before Nebraskans were soaring in those flying machines.  Dr. Frank A. Brewster   of Beaver City  was known as the Flying Doctor.  Dr. Brewster embraced new tools  to help him with his far-flung practice in western Nebraska and Kansas.    He began using a motorcycle in 1903 to make his rounds, and in 1905 got an automobile.  In 1919 he bought a biplane and hired World War I pilot Wade Stevens  to  fly him to his patients.  The duo is pictured on the left with the plane.  On May 23^rd 1919  he  flew to Herndon  Kansas  to perform surgery on an oilfield worker who had suffered a crushed skull in an accident – possibly the first time an airplane was used for commercial or humanitarian purposes.   Dr. Brewster  continued his flying practice until 1937 and learned to fly himself in  1943,  at the  age of 71.  More images in Nebraska Memories of Dr. Brewster can be viewed here.

Air shows in the pioneering days of flight were popular events showcasing flying machines and the skill of the pilots, just as they are today.   Aerial performances are dangerous  and can be fatal.   This summer the pilot was killed at a crash at the Kansas City Air Show in August and there are multiple deaths (11 at this writing) from the crash this month at the Reno Air Race.

We don’t know if the pilot of the plane which crashed on the roof of a barn at an early Nebraska air show survived, but the plane certainly didn’t.  More images of biplanes in Nebraska Memories  can be viewed here .

Visit Nebraska Memories to  search for or browse through many more historical images digitized from photographs,  negatives, postcards, maps, lantern slides, books and other materials.

Nebraska Memories is a cooperative project to digitize Nebraska-related historical and cultural heritage materials and make them available to researchers of all ages via the Internet. Nebraska Memories 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, or contact Beth Goble, Government Information Services Director,
or Devra Dragos, Technology & Access Services Director.

“The building was completely destroyed by fire on October 31, 1947. The fire started about 11:00 p.m. in the projection room after the second show. About 100 people were in the building. Everyone got out unharmed.” (Opera House, Valley, Neb. from the Valley Public Library collection)

When we talk to new and prospective participants to the Nebraska Memories Project, we ask that the images contributed be identified with the basic who, what, where, and when for a general description. But, as we have heard time and again, people especially enjoy the additional stories or information that participating institutions gather about their items. Where does the information come from—the basic as well as extra? Well, participants often use the traditional research tools such as old newspapers, local history books and census records. But many of them also tap into people’s knowledge and memories.

The Valley Public Library, in addition to questioning people individually, organized a coffee and cookies event at the local café. According to Gerri Nordell, invitations were mailed out and transportation arranged to bring in about twenty folks from their homes or the local care facility. Magnifying glasses helped with the small details in photographs, and one person’s memories nudged another’s. After two hours, “they left … still talking about the ‘good old days’.”

In Sidney, people’s memories had already been tapped for a book on local history. But two volunteers in particular who ran the Cheyenne County Historical Society and Museum added extra details when working with Commission staff. In small communities, these older people often know all the local businesses, families and their homes. And the information, as is found in the record’s Historical Notes field for this image (George and Mabel Jung farm with early wind power from the Cheyenne County Historical Society and Museum collection), can provide insights into the lives and living conditions of people in Nebraska and the Midwest during those earlier times.

Another volunteer-run project, the Butler County Gallery collection (which consists mostly of studio portraits), used a different approach in tapping people resources. Whenever they heard a family reunion was to be held, they would reach out to promote their collection and ask for information. Feedback included people’s names, birth and death dates, professions and activities, and personal stories. And, of course, corrections! Such was the case with this photograph of Lyle, Fay and Garth Osterhout.

So, if your Nebraska institution has Nebraska-related historical materials that others could enjoy, learn from, or contribute stories to, consider becoming a Nebraska Memories participant. The Nebraska Library Commission hosts the database and will work with your staff on selection of appropriate materials, scanning the items and gathering information to create descriptive records. For more information about participating, see http://nlc.nebraska.gov/nebraskamemories/participation.aspx, or contact Beth Goble, Government Information Services Director, or Devra Dragos, Technology & Access Services Director.

Nebraska Memories is a cooperative project to digitize Nebraska-related historical and cultural heritage materials and make them available to researchers of all ages via the Internet. Visit Nebraska Memories to search for or browse through many more historical images digitized from photographs, negatives, postcards, maps, lantern slides, books and other materials.

With the Nebraska State Fair ending earlier this week and many county fairs only distant memories I thought it would be a great time to view some photos of past fairs.  As I was looking at the  photos of past fairs in Nebraska Memories it’s interesting to see how fairs of the past compare with my current fair memories.

One of the items included in Nebraska Memories is a ticket for the fourth annual fair of the Sarpy County Agricultural Society. It was held in Papillion on September 21-24, 1886. As you can see, the ticket is quite fancy with a decorative boarder and a picture of a man and steer printed in red ink. What I find interesting however is the fact that the printed portion of the ticket clearly states it admits the person whose name has been written on the line along with “his wife and children under 18 years of age”. That sure doesn’t look like any fair ticket I’ve ever used.

Have you ever had your palm read at a fair? This early 1900’s photo shows Madam Seero Temple of Palmistry tent. There is a woman dressed in a costume standing in the entry of the tent who might be Madam Seero herself. Do you think we will ever see a palm reader’s tent at a fair in  Nebraska?

A few things have appeared to stand the test of time. The merry-go-round in this photo from the 1900’s looks a lot like modern-day merry-go-rounds. At a fair this year I saw a number of very nice looking produce exhibits however none of them contained anything as creative as this corn cob log cabin.

Take a few minutes and browse the other fair items in Nebraska Memories and think about how fairs of the past compare with your current fair memories.

Visit Nebraska Memories to search for or browse through many more historical images digitized from photographs, negatives, postcards, maps, lantern slides, books and other materials.

Nebraska Memories is a cooperative project to digitize Nebraska-related historical and cultural heritage materials and make them available to researchers of all ages via the Internet. Nebraska Memories 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, or contact Beth Goble, Government Information Services Director, or Devra Dragos, Technology & Access Services Director.

It’s that time of year again – time to head back to school! Start your school year off right by exploring images of schools and education in Nebraska Memories.

Start by viewing the exteriors of schools through the years. This photograph of a schoolhouse in Sidney was taken in 1887, and it looks very different from this photograph of Bancroft School in Lincoln, taken in the 1950s.

What would school buildings be without the classroom activities inside them? This 1947 classroom at East Olive School in Butler County and this 1924 penmanship class at Bancroft Elementary School in Lincoln are just two examples of Nebraska classrooms.

In addition to classes, extracurricular activities are an important part of the school experience. Nebraska schools have had many interesting activities, including a bird lovers’ club at McKinley School in Lincoln and the David City High School men’s quartet.

Visit Nebraska Memories to search for or browse through many more historical images digitized from photographs, negatives, postcards, maps, lantern slides, books and other materials.

Nebraska Memories is a cooperative project to digitize Nebraska-related historical and cultural heritage materials and make them available to researchers of all ages via the Internet. Nebraska Memories 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, or contact Beth Goble, Government Information Services Director, or Devra Dragos, Technology & Access Services Director.

Earlier this week I had the pleasure of traveling to the Nebraska panhandle. After returning from my trip I took a few minutes to explore the items included in Nebraska Memories from the panhandle region. This was easy to do using the Browse by Location map. Looking at the map you can see that the state is divided into six regions. Clicking on a region will display all of the items in Nebraska Memories that have been identified as being from that specific region of the state.

I’d like to issue a challenge to everyone reading this blog post. Using the Browse by Location map select a region of Nebraska and view all of the items from that region. As you are viewing the items make note of an item or two that catches your attention. When you are done return to this blog post and leave a comment sharing what region you selected and the title of the item or items that stood out to you.

I’ll get things started. I selected the panhandle region. Here are three different photos that caught my attention.

1. Welcome sign, Crawford, NE – I liked this photo simply because it made me smile when I read it.
2. Millinery Department of the Sidney Mercantile Company – The hats are beautiful and I’m sure the ladies who made them were proud to have their photo taken with them. Looking at the photo however all I can think is how happy I am that those hats are no longer in style because I’d hate to have to wear them.
   
3. McNair Hardware – Look at the great rockers in this photo. I wonder if any of those rockers are still being used today.

If you’re up for the challenge use the Browse by Location map to browse the Nebraska Memories collection and then leave a comment sharing the title(s) of the item(s) that caught your attention. I should warn you I found it hard to limit myself to only three items!

Visit Nebraska Memories to search for or browse through many more historical images digitized from photographs, negatives, postcards, maps, lantern slides, books and other materials.

Nebraska Memories is a cooperative project to digitize Nebraska-related historical and cultural heritage materials and make them available to researchers of all ages via the Internet. Nebraska Memories 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, or contact Beth Goble, Government Information Services Director, or Devra Dragos, Technology & Access Services Director.

We Nebraskans are used to suffering through blisteringly hot days in late summer, and we sometimes refer to them as the Dog Days.  The phrase comes from the Roman calendar, which  referred to the period spanning July 24 to August 24 as  diēs caniculārēs, associated with the star  Sirius.  Sirius is called the Dog Star, and is the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major.     

Another definition from Wikipedia seems ironic considering the anything-but-slow performance of the stock market this summer:  In recent years, the phrase “Dog Days” or “Dog Days of Summer” have also found new meanings. The term has frequently been used in reference to the American stock market.  Typically, summer is a very slow time for the stock market, and additionally, poorly performing stocks with little future potential are frequently known as “dogs”.    

While we may not always associate hot weather with constellations, finance or dogs,  the waning days of summer do seem like a good time to celebrate our canine companions.  A search in Nebraska Memories brings up a wealth of images of dogs in their various roles.   The pampered  household pet in the image above  must have been the darling of it’s family.       

Others were working dogs pulling travois for their native masters or herding cattle for their rancher owners. Still others were entertainers like the dog walking on the tight rope depicted here.   I hope it wasn’t too scared doing the high wire act!  Or they may simply have been overheated pooches getting into the shade like this one in front of Blondy’s Barber Shop and Pool Hall in Brainard.

Visit Nebraska Memories to search for or browse through many more historical images digitized from photographs, negatives, postcards, maps, lantern slides, books and other materials.

 Nebraska Memories is a cooperative project to digitize Nebraska-related historical and cultural heritage materials and make them available to researchers of all ages via the Internet. Nebraska Memories 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> for more information, or contact  Beth Goble, Government Information Services Director, or Devra Dragos ,Technology & Access Services Director.

Now that the weather has cooled off a little bit, perhaps you are thinking of getting outside and visiting a local park. If it’s still too hot for you, you can enjoy the images of parks in Nebraska Memories instead. While parks have been an important part of many Nebraska towns, the Nebraska Memories collection is especially rich in images of Omaha’s parks.


The parks of Omaha have been used for many recreational purposes, including performances. At Hanscom Park, a portable bandstand could be brought in with horses when needed for performance events. Other parks had more permanent structures, such as this pavilion in Riverview Park.


Parks also provide more informal recreational opportunities for children and adults alike. These boys are enjoying a merry-go-round in a local park, and Peony Park provides the backdrop for a game of horseshoes for this group of men.


In addition to recreation, parks often serve as nature retreats in the middle of an urban landscape. The long winding drive in Miller Park and the lagoon in Fontenelle Park are just a couple examples of the beauty of nature in the middle of Omaha.


Visit Nebraska Memories to search for or browse through many more historical images digitized from photographs, negatives, postcards, maps, lantern slides, books and other materials.


Nebraska Memories is a cooperative project to digitize Nebraska-related historical and cultural heritage materials and make them available to researchers of all ages via the Internet. Nebraska Memories 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, or contact Beth Goble, Government Information Services Director, or Devra Dragos, Technology & Access Services Director.

Planning a road trip this summer? Taking along a GPS device? Check out this old-fashioned positioning system— Huebinger’s Map and Guide for Omaha-Denver Trans-continental Route : with Supplement Showing Overland Trail Connecting Omaha-Denver Trans-continental Route at Lincoln with the Waubonsie Trail at Nebraska City (1911) from the Hastings Public Library Collection in Nebraska Memories.

If you are driving east and coming up on Harvard, Nebraska, (page 136) be on the lookout for the green-painted house on the left and then a school where you would turn north. Then, after you pass a pond on the left and a batten-board barn on the right, be ready for a right-turn to head east again. Of course, it helps if you have a navigator along to read off the landmarks.

Once you’ve made it to Harvard (480.4 miles from Denver and only another 151.9 to Omaha) , do you need a hotel for the night? Try Hotel Harvard—only two dollars on the American plan. Or perhaps you need a garage to top off the gas tank? Two choice are listed. Would you like more information about Harvard and its residents? Check out page 22.

Another book of maps in this collection, Official Road Book of the Nebraska State Automobile Association (1913), includes a digest of states’ auto laws, telling motorists that in Nebraska, they must register with the Secretary of State in Lincoln for a fee of $2 per year and supply their own tags. And keep a light foot on the gas pedal because the speed limits are “10 miles an hour in business section; 15 miles in residence district; 20 miles elsewhere.”

Now, as you pull out of Harvard and head on down the road toward Omaha, keep an eye out for the danger sign ahead by the red barn …

Visit Nebraska Memories to search for or browse through many more historical images digitized from maps, photographs, negatives, postcards, lantern slides, books and other materials.

Nebraska Memories is a cooperative project to digitize Nebraska-related historical and cultural heritage materials and make them available to researchers of all ages via the Internet. Nebraska Memories 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, or contact Beth Goble, Government Information Services Director, or Devra Dragos, Technology & Access Services Director.

As the temperature and heat index are reaching the 100+ degree mark for many of us this week I thought it would be the perfect time to think about snow, lots of cold snow. Depending on your viewpoint the thought of snow may make you appreciate the recent hot temperatures or it could give you something cold to dream about.

If you are a snow lover like myself let’s think about how cool life will be in four or five months and the snow is flying. Hopefully the weather will be perfect like it was in the early 1900’s for a little girl and her dog to go skiing and for the Boston sisters to enjoy a sled ride. If you’re a bit adventures you may even enjoy some football like the 1909 Nebraska State Normal School at Kearney football team. Anyone interested in a snowball fight?

For those of you who do not share my love for snow take a look at these photos of the 1927 and 1949 blizzards that hit Crawford or the large snow fall at Fort Niobrara in the late 1880’s. Think about how cold it must have been when these photos were taken. Does looking at these photos and thinking about past snow falls make the hot temperatures of this week a bit more bearable? Enjoy the heat while you can because before you know it you too may be shoveling snow.

Visit Nebraska Memories to search for or browse through many more historical images digitized from photographs, negatives, postcards, maps, lantern slides, books and other materials.

Nebraska Memories is a cooperative project to digitize Nebraska-related historical and cultural heritage materials and make them available to researchers of all ages via the Internet. Nebraska Memories 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, or contact Beth Goble, Government Information Services Director, or Devra Dragos, Technology & Access Services Director.

Are you tired of the hot July weather? Take a moment to explore these refreshing images of swimmers in Nebraska Memories.

These women are enjoying the water at Linoma Beach, which was founded in 1924 as a “pleasure resort” halfway between Lincoln and Omaha.

This boy is among the swimmers relaxing at the David City Municipal Pool in a 1948 photograph.

This swimming hole at an unknown Nebraska location shows another way in which people have taken to the water for recreation.

Visit Nebraska Memories to search for or browse through many more historical images digitized from photographs, negatives, postcards, maps, lantern slides, books and other materials.

Nebraska Memories is a cooperative project to digitize Nebraska-related historical and cultural heritage materials and make them available to researchers of all ages via the Internet. Nebraska Memories 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, or contact Beth Goble, Government Information Services Director, or Devra Dragos, Technology & Access Services Director.