Category Archives: Preservation

Throwback Thursday: “Cornhusker Rose: Waltz Ballad”

It’s a musical #ThrowbackThursday!

Dated 1922, “Cornhusker Rose” is a love song written by Howard Adamson, a long-time resident of Lincoln, Nebraska. He dedicated it to his sweetheart Miss Vivian Hanson, whose picture is on the cover of the sheet music. Below is a transcript of the lyrics; you can also listen to a performance of the ballad on the Nebraska Memories archive, performed by Carolyn Dow, mezzo-soprano, and Linda Marsh Helfman, piano.

Verse 1:

I found a rose, sweet in repose,
Blooming in love’s garden fair.
Beauty so rare, none can compare,
Fairest of all anywhere.
And even though we’re apart dear,
Still you are near to my heart.

Cornhusker rose of Nebraska,
Prettiest flow’r that I know.
Cornhusker rose of Nebraksa,
The sweetest rose that grows.
Those golden hours together,
Hours that I spent dear with you.
For there in love’s bower is blooming one flow’r.
‘Tis the cornhusker rose of my heart.

Verse 2:

Cornhusker girl, my heart’s a whirl,
I’m thinking only of you.
Cornhusker girl, Oh! What a pearl,
Promise you will be true.
For’neath the blue skies above dear,
You taught the meaning of love.

Cornhusker rose of Nebraska,
Prettiest flow’r that I know.
Cornhusker rose of Nebraksa,
The sweetest rose that grows.
Those golden hours together,
Hours that I spent dear with you.
For there in love’s bower is blooming one flow’r.
‘Tis the cornhusker rose of my heart.

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.

Posted in General, Nebraska Memories, Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Throwback Thursday: Water Supply Map of Omaha, Nebraska

Nebraska Memories is here with another #ThrowbackThursday!


This map from January 1905 shows the water supply system of Omaha, Nebraska. A legend shows that the dark blue lines on the map represent the city’s pipelines, and the dark blue dots represent water hydrants. There is also a scale for size. Printed between the scale and the legend it says “City Engineers Office, Andrew Rosewater, City Engineer.”

This image is published and owned by the Omaha Public Library, and is specifically part of their collection of Omaha-related maps dating from 1825 to 1922. They also 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 , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Throwback Thursday: Dorothy Rich

It’s time for another #ThrowbackThursday from Nebraska Memories!

This 4 x 6 glass plate negative is a full-figure portrait photograph of Dorothy Rich, seated at a small wooden table and serving tea to her doll and her stuffed bunny. Dorothy was born May 3rd, 1903 in Nebraska to Riley G. and Georgie A. Rich. Her father worked as a physician in David City, Nebraska.

This image is published as part of the Boston Studio Project collection, and is owned by 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.

Posted in General, Nebraska Memories, Preservation | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Throwback Thursday: Col. Prebble and Army Staff

Happy #ThrowbackThursday from Nebraska Memories!

This 7” x 5” black and white formal photograph was taken in 1944. It shows the first commanding officer of the Sioux Army Depot, Colonel Prebble, along with his staff, which includes two women in uniform sitting in the front row. The Sioux Army Depot was established March 23, 1942 about seven miles west of Sidney, Nebraska. The depot was responsible for warehousing and distributing ammunition and general supplies. It was eventually deactivated on June 30, 1967.

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.

Posted in General, Nebraska Memories, Preservation | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Throwback Thursday: First British Edition “A Lantern in Her Hand” by Bess Streeter Aldrich

Its another #ThrowbackThursday!

“A Lantern in Her Hand” was written in 1928 by Bess Streeter Aldrich, one of Nebraska’s most widely read and enjoyed authors. Pictured here is the book cover and inside flap of the first British edition of the book. The inside cover has a brief description of the book and lists the price as “8s. 6d.”

This image is published and owned by the Bess Streeter Aldrich Foundation. All items in their collection are on display at the Bess Streeter Aldrich House and the Bess Streeter Aldrich Museum in Elmwood, Nebraska.

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 , , , | Leave a comment

Throwback Thursday: Immanuel Deaconess Institute Greenhouse and Garden

Hey #ThrowbackThursday, spring is just around the corner!

This week we have a 5.5” x 3.5” colortone postcard from 1937 picturing the beautiful greenhouse and garden area of the Immanuel Deaconess Institute campus located in Omaha, Nebraska. The Nazareth Home, which can be seen on the right, was the original hospital and was renamed when the Immanuel Hospital was built.

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.

Posted in General, Nebraska Memories, Preservation | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Throwback Thursday: Banking House of A.W. Clarke 1909 Calendar Plate

It’s a #ThrowbackThursday leap year!

While 1909 was not a leap year, this calendar plate was likely created in the year prior 1908 which was a leap year. This decorative plate was given to customers of the Banking House of A.W. Clarke, which was the first bank in Papillion, Nebraska. The printing at the bottom of the plate reads “Compliments of Banking House of A.W. Clarke; Papillion, Nebr.”

This image is published and owned by the Sarpy County Historical Museum, 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.

Posted in General, Nebraska Memories, Preservation | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Throwback Thursday: African American Orchestra

Happy Black History month from Nebraska Memories, here’s another #ThrowbackThursday for you!

Dated December 8th 1937, this 8 x 10 acetate negative shows an orchestra of African American men playing at the Orpheum Theatre in Omaha, Nebraska. There are ten men playing a variety of instruments all being led by their conductor and his baton.

This image is published and owned by The Durham Museum and is part of the William Wentworth collection. The collection contains over 4000 photo negatives depicting life in Omaha, Nebraska from 1934 – 1950.

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 , , , , , | Leave a comment

Throwback Thursday: Herpolsheimer Soda Fountain

Happy #ThrowbackThursday from Nebraska Memories!

This 8 x 10 glass plate negative is a snapshot from 1915 of the soda fountain inside the H. Herpolsheimer Company department store, located on the southwest corner of N and 12th Street in Lincoln, Nebraska. Patrons of the soda fountain had a variety of treats to choose from, including: Dickinson’s maple mousse, mallow bitter sweet chocolate sundaes, puritan ice cream, Coca-Cola, old fashion butter scotch, and boxes of Vassar chocolate.

This image is published and owned by 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 , , , , , | Leave a comment

Throwback Thursday: Burwood Theatre in Omaha, Neb.

Happy #ThrowbackThursday from Nebraska Memories!

This week, we have a 14 x 9 cm color postcard featuring the exterior of the Burwood Theatre located at 1514 Harney Street in Omaha, Nebraska.

The Burwood Theatre was built in 1906. A few years later, its name was changed to the Gayety. It became a notorious burlesque house. Civic organizations protested and finally, in 1928, the theater was closed.

This image is published and owned by Omaha Public Library. The items from Omaha Public Library in Nebraska Memories include early Omaha-related maps dating from 1825 to 1922, as well as over 1,100 postcards and photographs of the Omaha area. The Omaha Postcard Collections shows scenes of Omaha, spanning a time period from the 1890s to the 1920s.

Check out 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 , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Throwback Thursday: Nebraska Traction and Power Company Interurban Streetcar

It’s time for another #ThrowbackThursday from Nebraska Memories!

This black and white postcard from the early 1900s features an electric streetcar with reversible navigation controls. Nebraska Traction and Power Company began the streetcar service between Papillion and Omaha, Nebraska, in 1911.

This image is published and owned by the Sarpy County Historical Museum. The Sarpy County Historical Museum is located in Bellevue and has the mission of collecting, preserving, and displaying objects and documentary records related to Sarpy County.

Check out all the collections 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 , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Throwback Thursday: A.W. Clarke Grain & Ground Feed 1881 New Year’s postcard

It’s the first #ThrowbackThursday of the new year!

This week, we have an 1881 New Year’s postcard sent by the A.W. Clarke Grain and Feed of Papillion, Nebraska. The card shows a grain elevator with a locomotive pulling train cars. Original card was printed by the Omaha Litho Co.

This postcard is published and owned by the Sarpy County Historical Museum. Located in Bellevue, Nebraska, the Sarpy County Historical Museum’s mission includes collecting, preserving, and displaying objects and documentary records related to 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.

Posted in General, Nebraska Memories, Preservation | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Throwback Thursday: A. C. Hull’s Photograph Gallery

Happy #ThrowbackThursday from Nebraska Memories!

Featured in this week’s #throwback is A. C. Hull’s Photograph Gallery. A. C. Hull opened his Fremont studio in 1870 and continued work as a photographer until 1893. He traveled with William Henry Jackson in 1869, capturing scenes of the building of the Union Pacific on photographic glass plates.

This image is owned by the Dodge County Historical Society and is published to Nebraska Memories by Keene Memorial Library in Fremont, Nebraska. Keene Memorial Library and the Dodge County Historical Society 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. Local businesses, churches, schools, and private residences are all featured.

Check out the collection 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 , , | Leave a comment

Throwback Thursday: Mitchell’s Bicentennial Celebration

It’s another #ThrowbackThursday from Nebraska Memories!

This week, we have a 1 1/2″ x 1″ color acetate negative featuring a scene from Mitchell’s Bicentennial celebration hosted in 1976.

This image is published and owned by Mitchell Public Library. Local historian Jane Hills Bowman collected pictures and stories about Mitchell’s early years. Her collection includes street scenes from the early 1900s that are some of the earliest images of Mitchell’s business district. The collection also contains photographs of Mitchell’s first public school buildings.

Check it out 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 , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Throwback Thursday: James Wareham Streeter and Mary Anderson Streeter

Happy #ThrowbackThursday from Nebraska Memories!

The families of Bess Streeter Aldrich’s parents, James and Mary Streeter, were the inspiration for the characters in several of her fictional works. Aldrich wrote: “When she was in her eighties, (mother) once related some pioneer experiences about the snow sifting through the chinks of the cabin and making grotesque figures on the bed quilts. In a moment of sympathy I remarked that we daughters were sorry her life had been hard in her pioneering days, that it seemed unfair that we now should live in an easier era with all its modern conveniences. She looked at me with an odd little expression and said: ‘Oh, save your pity. We had the best time in the world.'” Aldrich’s desire to capture the spirit of such a woman with historical accuracy was the inspiration for the novel “A Lantern in Her Hand.”

This portrait photograph is published and owned by the Bess Streeter Aldrich Foundation. The images in this collection have been selected to give the viewer a deeper understanding of the influences and inspirations that Bess Streeter Aldrich drew upon when writing the 1928 novel “A Lantern in Her Hand.”

Check out the full collection 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 , , , | Leave a comment

Throwback Thursday: 1911 Basketball Team

Basketball season in Nebraska is underway and we’re celebrating with this week’s #ThrowbackThursday!

This week, we have a black and white photograph featuring the 1911 basketball team at Nebraska Normal College, now known as Wayne State College. Wayne State College is one of three state colleges in Nebraska and the institution held its first session on September 19, 1910.

This image is published and owned by Wayne State College. In a continuing effort to preserve and make accessible photographs depicting the history of Wayne State College and the region it serves, the Wayne State College Library has digitized selected photographs from its archives. Included in this collection are photographs from the early 1900s that show the buildings and grounds of the campus, athletic teams, the Student Army Training Corps, and others.

Find more sports-related materials 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 , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Throwback Thursday: Stock Pens, South Omaha

Happy #ThrowbackThursday from Nebraska Memories!

Few industries say “Omaha” like the stockyards. The stockyards began in 1883 when Wyoming cattle baron, Alexander Swan, wanted a livestock market closer than Chicago. Together with six local businessmen, he formed the Union Stockyards on December 1, 1883. The livestock pens covered acres of land. Between 1907 and 1910, most of the old pens were rebuilt with elevated walkways. Buyers could then view the animals without threading their way through the pens. In the early 20th century, Union Stockyards was the world’s largest sheep market. The stock yards were dependent upon Union Pacific Railroad to bring livestock to market. On average, 20,000 animals per day arrived at the Union Stockyards.

This 14 x 9 cm color postcard is published and owned by Omaha Public Library. The items in this collection include early Omaha-related maps dating from 1922 back to 1825, as well as over 1,000 postcards and photographs of the Omaha area.

See this collection and 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 , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Throwback Thursday: Outdoor Picnic

It’s a Thanksgiving themed #throwback from Nebraska Memories!

This week, we have a black and white postcard from the early 1900s featuring a group of men, women, and children having a picnic.

This image was captured by John Nelson and is published by History Nebraska.

History Nebraska digitized content from the John Nelson collection. John Nelson was born in Sweden and came to Nebraska at 17 years old alongside his parents. His photos show small town life in Nebraska during the early 20th century. He shot photographs of local businesses, community activities, and automobiles.

Check out 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 , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Throwback Thursday: Fairmont, Nebraska

It’s another #ThrowbackThursday from Nebraska Memories!

This week, we have an early 1879 drawing of Fairmont, Nebraska by J.J. Stoner. It is published and owned by Fairmont Public Library. Together in partnership with the Fillmore County Historical Society, the Fairmont Public Library digitized photographs from their collections depicting the history of Fillmore County. The photographs in this collection include images of local businesses, schools, and churches, as well as the Fairmont Army Airfield, which was used during World War II.

Check it out 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 , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Throwback Thursday: Ernie Nozicka

Happy #ThrowbackThursday from Nebraska Memories!

This week, we have a 3″ x 5″ on-site photograph of Ernie Nozicka at his home near Bruno, Nebraska. Ernie was born near Bruno on June 11, 1898, the son of Matej and Frances Smejkla Nozicka. He married Rose Krepcik and after she died in 1972, married Julia Strudl. He farmed northeast of Bruno for 60 years and his place was known as the “Wagon Wheel Farm”. He had over 300 white wagon wheels with fencing lining both sides of the lane to his home and along the main road north of his farm. He started farming with six head of horses and never owned a tractor. In the 1930’s and 1940’s he broke horses for riding and farm work. He supplemented his income by working as the township overseer of Skull Creek. He was also a real estate broker and served on the Bruno School Board. He entertained people with his accordion music for over 75 years and often drove a team of horses or mules with a decorated buggy in local parades.

This 1950’s image is published as part of the Boston Studio Project and is owned by 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.

If you like history, check out 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 , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment