Nebraska History Museum

09/04/2026

Due to low registration, the Archeology Scouts Workshop has been canceled. Sign-ups for the next merit badge workshop, Genealogy, close on October 7th.

09/04/2026

Ready to explore the career of an archeologist? 🪏

Join us as we kick off Nebraska Archeology Month on Saturday, Sept. 5th and answer questions like: How do they know where to dig? How do they know how old an object is?

We'll be open from 9am to 4pm!

09/03/2026

Reminder 📢 Tomorrow is the last day to sign up for the Archeology Scouts Merit Badge Workshop.

📢The deadline to register for the Archeology Scouts Merit Badge Workshop will close this Friday, September 4th.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn and explore alongside Nebraska archeologists! https://history.nebraska.gov/education/scout-workshops-archeology/

09/03/2026

In response to impacts from the construction of the Rosa Parks Way viaduct in southwest Lincoln, this group of Nebraska archeologists uncovered the former site of the Lincoln Pottery Works factory in 1986-87.

In the late 19th century, the factory manufactured a wide variety of ceramic products that were sold throughout eastern Nebraska and adjoining states.

Artifacts including molds and ceramics from this site are featured in the exhibit, Piecing Together the Past, a perfect opportunity for a visit this Nebraska Archeology Month!

📷: Excavated pottery kiln at the Lincoln Pottery Works. NSHS Collections.

09/01/2026

📢The deadline to register for the Archeology Scouts Merit Badge Workshop will close this Friday, September 4th.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn and explore alongside Nebraska archeologists! https://history.nebraska.gov/education/scout-workshops-archeology/

08/31/2026

Upcoming Events this September as we celebrate Nebraska Archeology Month!

🔸Sept. 9, 9am to 12pm – Homeschool Day: Archeology in Nebraska
🔸Sept. 15, 12pm – Lunchbox Lecture: Pawnee Archeology with retired State Archeologist Rob Bozell
🔸Sept. 19, all day – Welcoming Week: Play Your Way
🔸Hands-On History Programming on Saturday, Sept. 5th, 12th, and 26th from 9am to 4pm!

To learn more about each event, visit https://history.nebraska.gov/events/.

08/27/2026

Did you know less than 5% of the Great Plains Art Museum collection is on display at any given time? 🎨🖼️

The Museum's Collections Manager, Casey Seger-Franklin, joined us for this month's Lunchbox Lecture to share a selection of these "hidden gems" and the fascinating, often unseen work that goes into preserving and caring for art.

You can now watch his presentation on our YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/NcL3Jha0P7s.

08/21/2026

08/19/2026

We are excited to offer Scout Merit Badge workshops once again this year! Registration to earn the following badges is live: Archeology (September 12th), American Indian Culture (December 5th), and a new addition, Genealogy (November 7th).

But don't dilly-dally; spots are filling up!

To sign up, visit https://history.nebraska.gov/education/scout-merit-badge-workshops/

08/19/2026

August 19, 1980, Nebraska agricultural inventor Frank Zybach passed away at the age of 86. He is best known as the inventor of center pivot irrigation.

Raised on a farm near Columbus, Nebraska, he came up with the idea while tenant farming on a dryland wheat farm. He was granted a patent for his invention in 1952.

He and Valley Manufacturing (now Valmont Industries) then spent years perfecting it. As of 2013, center pivots irrigated over 20 million acres on nearly 60,000 U.S. farms and were used worldwide.

Zybach is one of the many Nebraskans featured in the new "Our Nebraska: the Place, its People, & their Impact" exhibit.