Hall County Historical Society

11/18/2024

We had a great crowd last night for our final public screening of A Life Well Lived before it goes into the NETA distribution system for 2025 launch on PBS stations nationwide.

Thank you to UNK History Department and BuffaloCounty HistoricalSociety for hosting the screening. A very special thank you to Mark at The World Theatre for his extraordinary skills and quick work in getting the film rolling again after a technology glitch.

11/17/2024

Our junior HCHS members did a great job yesterday in helping us clean up the Seedling Mile.

Grand Island’s 1915 Seedling Mile, one of the last remaining sections of the original transcontinental Lincoln Highway, is one of the historic properties maintained by HCHS in Hall County.

As an entirely volunteer run organization we could not preserve and protect our historic sites and rich community history without the support of volunteers, like our junior members Walnut DC Diplomats, and donors who provide funding to help with property maintenance costs, educational programs, and historic preservation projects. If you would like to help us continue our work through gifts of time or money, please send us a message, visit our website, or reach out to any of our board members.

11/16/2024

One last chance to see “A Life Well Lived” before it goes into the NETA distribution system for a 2025 PBS release!

UNK History Department and BuffaloCounty HistoricalSociety are hosting a screening at Kearney’s historic The World Theatre (just down the street from David Kaufmann’s former Kearney store) on Sunday, November 17 at 7 pm.

Make sure you join us before the show for a 6:30 pm talk given by Dr. Torsten Homberger from UNK and Michelle Setlik from HCHS about the film.

11/11/2024

One last chance to see the film before it goes into the PBS system.

Buffalo County Historical Society is happy to sponsor an amazing film made about an amazing man. Come see a FREE screening of A Life Well Lived: An Account of David Kaufmann at the The World Theatre on November 17, 2024! Show up at 6:30pm for a pre-screening talk with UNK professor Dr. Torsten Homberger; the documentary will begin at 7:00pm.

11/03/2024

Coming up next week!

Thursday, Nov 7 at 6 pm - David Kaufmann: Businessman, Community Leader, Philanthropist, Quiet Hero presented by Michelle Setlik at Kearney Public Library. Free to the public.

Saturday, Nov 9 at 11:30 am - Bygone Book Club: One of Ours by Willa Cather led by Sue Clement at City of Grand Island - Public Library. Free to the public.

Sunday, Nov 10 at 1:30 pm - HCHS Annual Member Meeting at Burlington Station.

Sunday, Nov 10 at 2 pm - Voices of the Past: The Crimes and Times of Stephen Dee Richards, Nebraska Serial Killer presented by Dr. Nathan Tye from UNK History Department at Burlington Station. Free to HCHS members and $5 for non-members.

10/19/2024

We are beyond thrilled that this remarkable true story is going to be made available to homes and schools across Nebraska and to viewers of PBS stations across the country who add it to their local programming.

Big news for a locally produced documentary telling the story of an unsung hero who saved the lives of countless families fleeing persecution from the Nazis.Th

10/16/2024

We received some AMAZING news! The David Kaufmann documentary has been picked up by the national PBS distribution network. Thank you everyone for your support of this remarkable project!

GOOD NEWS!!!!

10/16/2024

A few months back we removed the upper horizontal pipes from the First Settlers Marker. Today we painted the pipes. These pipes were originally installed to keep the cattle from rubbing on the stone marker. No cows are in the area now.

10/15/2024

Make plans to attend an educational program on Saturday, October 19 about a hero who called Grand Island his home. Michelle Setlik of the Hall County Historical Society will be giving a presentation on David Kaufmann, who was known as a 'quiet philanthropist' for doing what he could from where he was to help others.

This program will be held on Saturday, October 19 from 10:00-11:30 am in the Stuhr Building and is included with regular daily admission. Admission is free for Stuhr Museum members or $14 for adults, $13 for seniors, $12 for youth ages 6-12, and free for ages 5 & under.

10/15/2024

Coming up this weekend at Stuhr Museum.

Michelle Setlik of the Hall County Historical Society will be giving a program on David Kaufmann, a Grand Island businessman, civic leader, and humanitarian. This program will be presented on October 19 from 9:30 – 11:30 am in the Stuhr... Read More »

10/13/2024

We have a great crowd for Howard Uhrich’s presentation on the 1967 Flood at the Cornhusker Ordnance Plant.

10/12/2024

We have two great programs coming up this weekend! On Saturday, October 12 Bygone Book Club returns to the City of Grand Island - Public Library at 11:30 am.

Then on Sunday, October 13 at 2 pm Hall County CAAP Historian Howard Uhrich will present his research on the impact of the 1967 Flood at the Ordnance Plant at our historic Burlington Station.

We hope to see you this weekend!

09/21/2024

We are excited to share our community history with our newest group of HCHS Junior members.

09/07/2024

We hope to see you tomorrow at the Station!

Area educator and author Jean Lukesh will present a Hall County Historical Society “Voices of the Past” program Sept. 8, at Burlington Station, Sixth and Plum streets.

09/06/2024

Voices of the Past Programs at Burlington Station -
603 N Plum St, Grand Island
programs begin at 2 pm
$5 for non-members, free for members of the Hall County Historical Society

September 8, 2024 | Grand Island’s Pawnee Scout and Pawnee Son: James Murie
While America’s Civil War raged in the East, hostile Plains Indians were also waging war on the settlers of the Central Plains. The North Brothers and Nebraska military decided to fight fire with fire by recruiting friendly “Pawnee Scouts” as soldiers. Jean Lukesh will share the story of James Murie, a Scottish officer with a Pawnee family that sometimes lived in Grand Island, and his role as one of the Pawnee Scouts.

08/31/2024

Several of our founding members of HCHS are named in this article!

After William Stolley passed in 1911, the community discovered his will directed that the City of Grand Island had the first right to buy his parkland.

08/25/2024

We have some pretty amazing budding historians in Hall County. If you are at the Nebraska State Fair stop by and check out the Hall County 4H Heritage projects. Congratulations to Ada, Genesis, Jaycee, Jaylee, Julia, and Noah on your fantastic projects!