Nebraska City
Historical Society

Founding the Nebraska City Historical Society

The group was originally established on April 13th, 1937 as the Otoe County Historical Society. The Society's goals were to preserve the county's past, the story of its founding and settlement and the habits of the settlers, and to leave such information to posterity. The idea to form an historical society was put forth by the Literature Department of the Nebraska City Women's Club, its members being Lulu E. Arnold, Mildred J. Hill, Mrs. Earl Seyfer, and Venus Tyler. Charter members of the Society include: President -Judge Paul Jessen, 1st Vice President - M.W. Neihart, 2nd Vice President - Lulu E. Arnold, Secretary - Mrs. Earl Seyfer, Treasurer - Lloyd E. Peterson, and Historian - Mrs. David Anderson.

Throughout its existence, the Society has helped to revive interest in the study of the county and its history as well complete various projects to collect and preserve historical knowledge. The Society has assisted in the restoration of a number of historical structures and published its research in books and pamphlets. Historical Markers and Monuments and Victorian Architecture in Nebraska City are two such publications still available today. In 1982, Mr. & Mrs. Karl Nelson generously granted space to the Society for meetings, headquarters, and tours in the restored Nelson Historical House. Soon after, in 1986, the group's name was changed to the Nebraska City Historical Society.

Today the Nebraska City Historical Society operates two of the city's ten museums, the Taylor-Wessel-Bickel-Nelson House and the Old Freighters Museum. Both museums are open yearly to the public from Arbor Day to Halloween and are housed in two of the oldest structures in Nebraska City.

Nelson House

711 3rd Corso
Nebraska City, NE 68410
info@nebraskacitymuseums.org

Friday - Sunday: 12pm to 4pm

Old Freighters Museum

407 N 14th Street
Nebraska City, NE 68410
info@nebraskacitymuseums.org