SUBJECT: The Nebraska State Historical Society Celebrates 125th Anniversary September 26.
Governor Mike Johanns and former Society Directory Dr. James C. Olson to speak.

Governor Mike Johanns will welcome Nebraska State Historical Society members and the public September 26 to the Society's 125th anniversary celebration and meeting in Lincoln, including a noon luncheon at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Student Union. Dr. James C. Olson, who directed the Society from 1946 to 1956, will be honored for his many contributions to the Society and to Nebraska history. Dr. Olson will reflect briefly on the 50th anniversary of the Society's headquarters building at 1500 R Street, constructed and dedicated during his directorship. Among his many publications, Dr. Olson authored History of Nebraska (1955), now in its third edition, still the standard one-volume history of the state. His presidency of the University of Missouri System capped a long career in history and education.

The Society's annual awards for significant achievements in preservation of Nebraska history will also be presented at the September 26 meeting.

AWARD-WINNERS INCLUDE:

Dr. Harl A. Dalstrom, a professor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, will receive the James L. Sellers Award for the best article published in a volume of Nebraska History. Dalstrom's "I'm Never Going to Be Snowbound Again" The Winter of 1948-1949, appeared in the Fall/Winter 2003 issue of Nebraska History. The article recounts the weather, daily challenges, and financial losses during "The Blizzard of '49."

Ron and Judy Stolz Parks, Papillion, will receive the Robert W. Furnas Memorial Award in recognition of their support in establishing the Ronald K. and Judith M. Stolz Parks Publishing Fund at the Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation, and their commitment to support the Fort Robinson History Conference. The publishing fund has assisted in the publication of a two-volume story about Fort Robinson -- Fort Robinson and the American West 1874-1899 and Fort Robinson and the American Century 1900-1948. The Fort Robinson History conference is held every two years at Fort Robinson.

Dr. James C. Olson, now of Kansas City, Missouri, superintendent of the Nebraska State Historical Society from 1946 to 1956, is the winner of the Addison E. Sheldon Memorial Award. Olson's vision and energy guided the Society for many years, and his leadership was crucial in helping the Society realize its long held dream of a new building in which to preserve and interpret the state's history. Now known as the Society's headquarters building at 1500 R Street, Lincoln, the building was recently listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Van and Janet Korell of McCook, will be presented with the Nebraska Preservation Award, for their "lasting legacy" for their residence, the historic H.P. Sutton House in McCook, built in 1907-08 to the designs of nationally prominent architect, Frank Lloyd Wright. The Korells have completed a two-year restoration project to return the features of Wright's Prairie School design, despite previous changes to the house.

Following the luncheon, a historical marker will be unveiled at 1500 R Street commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Society's headquarters building and its listing in the National Register of Historic Places. An exhibit, "Here Open to All is the History of this People": 125 Years of the Nebraska State Historical Society, will be available for viewing in the building's rotunda. All events are open to the public, but advance registration is required for the luncheon. To register, or for further information, call 1-800-833-6747 or 402-471-4955 or visit www.nebraskahistory.org

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Lynne Ireland: 402.471.4758
E-mail: lireland@nebraskahistory.org