Author Archives: Tom Mooney

Fun and Games

With the temperature hovering around 100 degrees this week here in Lincoln, I’m reminded of similar hot summer days growing up on the farm. My brother and I spent many a summer day playing games in front of the window … Continue reading

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How Do We Get There?

Today, if someone wants directions, they can just go online and find a map to practically anywhere. But this is just a recent development. Before the internet, we needed actual physical maps to figure out where we were going. The … Continue reading

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Nebraska’s New Deal Art

For those of you who were unable to make it to the Nebraska History Museum last year for the exhibit entitled, “For the People: Nebraska’s New Deal Art,” we have some good news! These works of art are now available … Continue reading

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A Little Piece of Music History

The Library/Archives recently acquired a scrapbook relating to Donald Abbott of Beatrice and then Lincoln, Nebraska. Abbott was born in Illinois in 1912 and later moved with this family to Beatrice. He played cornet in the school band and became … Continue reading

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Recent Additions to the Collections

One nice thing about working with the collections at the Nebraska State Historical Society is that I never know what is going to walk through the door or show up on my desk. We are always adding new items to … Continue reading

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Steamboatin’ on the Missouri

Steamboats on the Missouri River were once an extremely important means of transportation for both people and products coming to Nebraska. The Nebraska State Historical Society holds a number of great resources of information about steamboat travel and navigation. Here … Continue reading

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Crete Mills of Crete, Nebraska

The Crete Mills at Crete, Nebraska, began as a tiny water-powered sawmill located on the Big Blue River at the southern edge of what became the town of Crete in Saline County. Converted to flour milling in 1870, the building … Continue reading

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A Soap Box Derby Champion

The last time a Nebraskan won the “local champions” division of the All-American Soap Box Derby held in Akron, Ohio, was in 1967 when thirteen year old Ken Cline took home the trophy. Originally from Midland, Texas, the Cline family … Continue reading

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The Free School Advocate

First published by the students of Omaha High School in December of 1859, The Free School Advocate is the earliest known example of school journalism in Nebraska. The paper published editorials, essays, verse, fiction, and news…all the work of students … Continue reading

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The Naming of Beatrice, Nebraska

On April 22, 1857, on board the steamer Hannibal anchored on the Missouri River, a small group of passengers met to form a settlement organization, which they named “The Nebraska Association.” One of the organization’s first orders of business was … Continue reading

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