N E B R A S K A S T A T E H I S T O R I C A L S O 2007–2008A N N U A L R E P O R T C I E T Y CHALLENGE RUNS THROUGH THE STORIES OF NEBRASKA’S PAST, leaving an imprint on the present. Like the many-channeled Platte River, our history flows through the challenges of geography and climate, B O A R D O F T R U S T E E S economics and politics, changing cultures and changing ways of life.We Ken Bunger, Omaha pride ourselves as being a people shaped, but not bowed, by challenge. president Cheryl Clark, Elwood first vice president And the historical record is filled with examples: the inhabitants of Signal Ann Marsh, Grand Island Butte, who faced Great Plains weather in skin houses and traversed our second vice president great distances on foot with dogs; the Pawnee, whose earth lodge villages Frank Balderson, Scottsbluff treasurer were emptied by smallpox; Standing Bear, the Ponca chief who braved Michael Smith, Lincoln secretary imprisonment and death to keep a promise to his son; Millie Freeman, the Walter Brooks, Omaha quick-witted “schoolmarm” who saved her charges in the Blizzard of ’88; Nancy Haney, Lyman the taxpayers of Nebraska, who in the middle of the Great Depression built James Hewitt, Lincoln Dan Holtz, Peru a cash-on-the-barrelhead capitol inspiring the engraved motto,“Honour to Robert Peters, Omaha citizens who build an house of state where men live well;” the farmers Frank Potthoff, Palisade who survived recurrent cycles of hard times to feed their families and William Pratt, Omaha John Schleicher, Omaha eventually the world; the immigrants who over millennia have come to Roger Wehrbein, Plattsmouth a new place and made it their own. Bev Wilhelm, Unadilla David Wishart, Lincoln This annual report offers a look at some of the challenges the Nebraska State Historical Society met in 2007–08.We stand ready to continue to record the challenges and achievements of our peoples in this place. nebraskahistory.org 2007–2008A N N U A L R E P O R T he Nebraska State Historical Society (NSHS) Beef State, one-hour documentaries co-produced by the traces its history back 130 years to 1878. We didn’t NSHS and NET (Nebraska Educational Telecommunica­ Tsurvive and grow over that period without calling tions) and released in 2007–08, are examples of first-rate on our ability to change and correct course, to build research and entrancing storytelling. The two partner relationships, and to respect and appreciate the assis­ entities have provided a fascinating look into the heart tance of all who are dedicated to this state. Perhaps this of Nebraska agribusiness and into preserving the things has never been as evident as in 2007–08. We were chal­ dear to our hearts. Be sure to tune in on NET or purchase lenged to reaffirm the position of the NSHS as an agency DVDs through the NSHS’s Museum Store. of the State of Nebraska, so designated by statute in Also thrilling to see in 2007–08 was the continued suc­ 1994. Through the leadership of our trustees, the hard cess of the Nebraska Institute teacher training program work of staff, the dedication of the volunteers, and the in which the NSHS partners with Nebraska Wesleyan support of members and friends, the NSHS succeeded. University and the Lincoln Public Schools. Few are born We thank each of you for your consideration, patience, knowing how to engage young people in history. The faith, energy, and financial support. Without you we Nebraska Institute, however, changes that. With training, would not have had this success. participating teachers discover new ways of encouraging In June 2008, the board approved a multiyear strategic students to explore Nebraska’s history, resulting in aston­ plan developed under the joint leadership of Board of ishing improvements in student comprehension and Trustees Vice President Cheryl Clark and staff member skills. Lynne Ireland. The plan addresses key issues: program­ Add new exhibits, expanding collections in both the ming, facilities, staffing, volunteers, and of course, both Museum and the State Archives, an historic preservation state and private funding. With every dollar precious and program that contributes mightily to the economic well­ the use of every hour vital in fulfilling the NSHS’s mis­ being of Nebraska, the Ford Conservation Center, Office sion, strategic thinking and planning are essential. We of the State Archeologist, and Nebraska History, one of are instilling this value in the minds of trustees and staff. the best designed journals around, and what do you We are confident we are growing in efficiency as we pro­ have? The Nebraska State Historical Society. If you are vide our broad range of historical services for Nebraska. not a member, now is the time to make that commit­ ment. If you are a member, renew. You’ll not regret it. All history is not equal, of course, in its quality or its abil­ Thank you again. ity to raise questions, frame civic discussion, and be of use to the people. The NSHS remains committed, how­ ever, to the best in history whether it is work done by others using our collections or history that we ourselves Charles K. “Ken” Bunger Michael J. Smith produce and distribute. Saving Nebraska’s Treasures and President Director/CEO 1 P R E S E R V A T I O N P A Y O F F sites and museums annually, and 38.5 percent of these visitors are from out of state. In 2005 alone, visitors racked up 546,000 overnight trips when traveling throughout the state and took 50 percent longer trips than other travelers. These same visitors tended to travel in larger groups and spent nearly two and a half times more than other travelers per overnight stay. Restoration of historic buildings and properties is benefi­ cial, too. From 2001 to 2005, $230 million was spent on historic buildings. Part of this sum was generated from the more than $160 million invested in 53 projects under a program of federal historic preservation tax incentives from 2000 to 2006. Because of these projects, 902 hous­ ing units were added in the state. That number included 253 units for low-to-moderate income residents. Entire towns have also benefited from historic preserva­ tion. The Nebraska Lied Main Street program, a compre­ hensive effort to revitalize downtowns through historic preservation, had a larger-than-national-average invest­ ment ratio of $35 for every one dollar in local program expenditures for the reporting year of 2006–07. Historic ROVING THAT THE PAST BENEFITS THE PRESENT designation of neighborhoods and downtowns is sometimes a challenge. But a new study shows enhances and protects property values. Historic districts Phistoric preservation generates $170 million annually as a whole showed increases in property values. in Nebraska’s economy. Preservation at Work for the Finally, historic preservation benefits individuals. $170 MILLION Nebraska Economy is a statement of fact as well as the Twenty-two jobs are created for every $1 million spent is generated annually in title of the findings of Rutgers University and the Univer­ in preservation dollars, and Nebraska currently boasts the Nebraska economy by sity of Nebraska-Lincoln Bureau of Business Research a total of 3,689 historic preservation-related jobs. investigators who looked at spending on historic build­ Preservation at Work for the Nebraska Economy reveals historic preservation. ings, jobs, and tourism from 2000 to 2007. some exciting statistics. Even more exciting than the The largest chunk is the $100 million generated from current data is the proof that the challenge of preserving tourism dollars at Nebraska’s historic sites and museums. the past can contribute to the economic vitality of Three million people visit Nebraska’s 200-plus historic Nebraska’s future. 2 The Nebraska State Historical Society collects, preserves, and opens C O N N E C T I N G O L D A N D Y O U N G T’S CALLED THE INVESTIGATION STATION. Its size: room gets the adults talking about a different time.” about that of a small shop at the mall. Its colors: The ability of the room to teach multiple age groups Ibrilliant green, red, blue, and yellow. Its location: in made the challenges worth it, Keetle said. “When you the heart of the Museum of Nebraska History. Its chal­ get in an interactive room like this, adults like to play, lenge: to excite young people about their past by letting too. And you learn through play, so it is a neat experi­ them get their hands on history. ence for everybody.” Since it opened in March, this facility has engaged 1,000 Future additions will include more period clothing to 2,215 visitors a month, and exciting new additions will ensure allow young learners to place themselves among earlier students were bused to that visitors return. “The Investigation Station is always generations, an archeology timeline and excavation NSHS museums and changing,” Museum Educator Judy Keetle said. exhibit to teach how the earth itself holds history Currently, a visitor can load a one-fourth-scale wagon lessons, and embellishments to the tipi area to expand Investigation Station carts with supplies to discover what travelers on the Overland visitors’ ability to discover the life and culture of were funded by a Trail could take or had to leave behind; plan a frontier American Indians. A support pillar will be transformed town to provide what people needed to live on into the trunk of a cottonwood tree that will be a center­ $9,900 Nebraska’s prairies; experience a tipi and understand piece exploring Nebraska state symbols.