Hall County Historical Society

11/30/2023

Join us for Christmas at the Stolley house. Our annual Christmas open house will be Sunday, December 3 from 1-4 pm. Hope to see you on the 3rd! This event is free and open to the public.

11/28/2023

Thank you to the Kaufmann-Cummings Foundation for your support of the documentary film we are producing with Chimney Rock Media and the Institute for Holocaust Education of Omaha about the life and legacy of David Kaufmann.

If you would like to learn more about this project, or how you can support us in telling this amazing story of how an individual can make a difference, check out our project page: https://www.hallnehistory.com/david-kaufmann-film.html

11/18/2023

The Walnut DC Diplomats are a fantastic group of young people! Thank you to all of our amazing helpers that helped us clean up the area around the Seedling Mile marker.

11/15/2023

Thank you to Dorothy (Kahn) Resnick for her support of the Kaufmann documentary!

Dorothy wants to support the production of the Kaufmann documentary in memory of her uncle, David Kaufmann. She was born in Grand Island to Isi and Feo Kahn after her Uncle David provided the young couple with support to leave Germany shortly after they were married. Dorothy's mother, Feo, would go on to provide Kaufmann with lists of others who sought to escape Germany and the N**i regime in the years leading up to WWII.

If you would like to learn more about this project, or how you can help us in bringing this story to schools and homes across Nebraska and beyond, visit our project page: https://www.hallnehistory.com/david-kaufmann-film.html

11/13/2023

Thank you for sharing the history of your company with us!

11/12/2023

Did you wonder what are the benefits of being a member of the Hall County Historical Society? As a member you enjoy:

- Free Admission to Programs and Events: Your membership grants you complimentary access to all HCHS programs and events, including the Voices of the Past programs and always popular Grand Island Cemetery Tours. The 2023-2024 Programs and Events calendar can be found on our website at: https://www.hallnehistory.com/events.html

- Exclusive Newsletters: Stay informed and engaged with our community through newsletters that provide insights into the latest developments, events, and historical discoveries. These newsletters will be mailed directly to you.

- Supporting Our Mission: Your membership plays a crucial role in supporting the mission of the Hall County Historical Society to promote the research, education, and preservation of Hall County's history. Your contribution helps us continue our important work in the community.

Starting or renewing your membership is easy and affordable:

$25 for one year
$43 for two years
$60 for three years

To renew or become a member, you can:

Mail a check to the Hall County Historical Society at 603 N Plum St, Grand Island, NE 68801 or visit our website at www.hallnehistory.com to purchase a one-year membership.

The Hall County Historical Society is an organization run by volunteers. As such, we have no set hours of operation outside of our scheduled programs and events. However, we are typically willing to...

11/10/2023

This weekend at Burlington Station…

Voices of the Past
November 12 | Chief Industries

Since 1954 Chief Industries, Inc. has been a family-owned manufacturer based in Grand Island. DJ Eihusen, the third generation to lead the company, will share the history of Chief Industries and how it has grown to a global organization.

11/08/2023

Enjoying a beautiful fall morning in Doniphan, a good book, and an amazing drink from Blue Rock Coffee Company while waiting for History Nebraska staff to arrive. We are going to take them to see some of our current historical markers and share with them all of the awesome work we are doing in Hall County to preserve and share our community history.

On a side note, the book pictured was made into a movie that is being shown this weekend at The Grand Theatre.

11/07/2023

Thank you to Stuhr Museum for your support of the Kaufmann documentary!

If you would like to learn more about our efforts to bring the story of David Kaufmann and how one individual can impact the lives of others, visit our project page: https://www.hallnehistory.com/david-kaufmann-film.html

11/05/2023

Thank you to Humanities Nebraska for supporting the production of the David Kaufmann documentary!

If you would like to learn more about this project, or how you can support us in telling this amazing story of how an individual can make a difference, check out our project page: https://www.hallnehistory.com/david-kaufmann-film.html

10/21/2023

What an amazing afternoon with the Walnut Middle School DC Diplomats! Thank you Tyler Madison for arranging it. It was a privilege to share some of our rich community history, and how it interconnects with U.S. and World history, with this incredible group of 42 young people who are preparing for their upcoming trip to our nation’s capitol and their roles as future community leaders. We have no doubt that you will all do great things and cannot wait to see what the future has in store for each of you!

10/21/2023

We had a beautiful morning and awesome group today for our GAR cemetery tour!

10/21/2023

The sun set way too early tonight! We were having a great time sharing community history with members of Grand Island Young Professionals of Color at the cemetery. We will have to find another time to get together again with this fun group so we can share even more stories.

10/13/2023

Did you know the Kaufmann documentary is not the first documentary we have commissioned? The first one was in 1926 and is accessible on the History Nebraska site. If you look close you might catch a glimpse of David Kaufmann himself in this film titled “Grand Island and It’s People” we hope you enjoy!

Description: The film documents many people and places in the town of Grand Island beginning with the earliest settlement up to the mid 1920s. Some of the early photos/images are the first house in the area owned by Mark Stelic, 1857; the old County Court House, 1872; sod house of Adam Windolph, bui...

10/13/2023

Hope to see you this weekend!

Bygone Book Club
This weekend, October 14 at 11 am.

10/12/2023

A little more sprucing up at the Stolley campus before winter is upon us. The Hahn cabin now has a new roof.

10/09/2023

Thank you to all who came out and celebrated with us yesterday! We hope you all enjoyed the history and the weather!

10/08/2023

10/08/2023

Today is the day!!! It looks like it will be a beautiful day to gather together on the lawn of one of the first Hall County settlers. We cannot wait to celebrate our 100th Anniversary with you at Stolley Park this afternoon!

10/08/2023

Thank you Gracie Smith and The Grand Island Independent for helping us share this story!

Supporters held the dedication of a new grave marker for a local historical figure at the Grand Island Cemetery on Friday.

10/07/2023

Thank you Kasey Mintz and KSNB Local4 for helping us share Tommy Goodchild’s story.

The Hall County Historical Society honored a Grand Island trailblazer on Friday afternoon.

10/07/2023

Thank you to City of Grand Island - Fire Department and Grand Island Fire Fighters IAFF Local 647 for helping us in recognizing Tommy Goodchild and his role as a firefighter, businessman, and community leader in Grand Island from 1874-1892.

10/07/2023

The Medina Street Vault is bringing the Brookies for our celebration on Sunday. Whoever invented the mashup of brownies and cookies was a genius!

10/06/2023

It will be cool tonight - make sure you grab your jacket on the way out the door! We hope to see you at the cemetery tonight as we pay tribute to this early Grand Island firefighter and honor all who have served the department since 1874.

10/06/2023

Oohh Carrot Babies…who is looking forward to these tasty treats from The Chocolate Bar at our Centennial celebration on Sunday at Stolley Park?

10/05/2023

Heather's∙Bake∙Shop may be best known for AMAZING cupcakes, but right now she is busy baking up a big batch of cookies to represent Wood River at our Centennial Celebration on Sunday. We can’t wait to taste them!

10/05/2023

A HUGE thank you to the Walnut Athletics Wildcat Football team for helping us get the Stolley House, lawn, and District 1 schoolhouse cleaned up and ready for our celebration on Sunday. What a wonderful group of young men!

10/04/2023

Red Bird Bakery’s famous Krispies will be one of the delicious treats at our Centennial Celebration on Sunday, October 8 at Stolley Park. Who is planning on joining us for the celebration?

10/03/2023

Tommy’s marker has been installed and it looks great!

We hope you will join us on Friday, October 6th, at 5 p.m. in the Grand Island City Cemetery a dedication service will be held by the Hall County Historical Society, Grand Island Fire Fighters IAFF Local 647, and City of Grand Island - Fire Department at the gravesite of Thomas "Tommy" Goodchild (1844-1892). As a Grand Island businessman, volunteer firefighter with the Grand Island Always Ready Hook & Ladder Company 1, and labor advocate, Goodchild left an indelible mark on the city. All members of the community are invited to attend this event to pay their respects to this remarkable individual and honor the service and sacrifice of the brave men and women who have protected our community since Grand Island Hook & Ladder Company 1 was organized in 1874.

10/02/2023

There is so much coming up this weekend, we thought we would list it all here for your convenience.

Friday, October 6
Tommy Goodchild marker dedication at Grand Island Cemetery starting at 5pm

Saturday, October 7
Harvest of Harmony parade starting at 8 am

Pawnee Return at Fort Kearny from 9am-5pm

Carnegie Library Open House from 9am-1pm

Sunday, October 8
HCHS Centennial Celebration at Stolley Park from 1-4pm

10/01/2023

Zoul Properties have done an amazing job as custodians of the historic Carnegie Library building in restoring it to its former glory. On Saturday, October 7 from 9 am-1 pm, they are opening their doors and inviting the public to tour this iconic building.

The Carnegie Library, built in 1903, was Grand Island's first permanent library building. In June 1974 the Carnegie Library building was sold at public auction for $24,000 to support the construction of the new Edith Abbott Memorial Library. According to the 1975 nomination form, which resulted in Grand Island's Carnegie Library being placed on the National Register of Historic Places, the exterior retained its "original character and integrity" but the interior had been "stripped of all its non-permanent features" and it was being converted into a business and private residence.

09/29/2023

Celebrating a successful day of filming.

09/29/2023

It’s been a really good week! We thought you might like to see a few more behind the scenes photos and an impromptu singalong after we finished shooting at Grand Island Liederkranz.

If you want to learn more about this project (or how you can help us in bringing this story to life) check our our project page: https://www.hallnehistory.com/david-kaufmann-film.html

09/27/2023

We’ve had great interviews the past two days for the Kaufmann documentary.

Marcel Kahn of Omaha was a small boy when Kaufmann sponsored his family’s journey from Germany.

Dr. Torsten Homberger from UNK History Department shared what life was like in Germany for Jewish citizens during the period between WWI and WWII. He also gave an excellent explanation of the political, economic, and social conditions that led to a shift from democracy to dictatorship in Germany and the rise of the N**i party.

09/27/2023

On Friday, October 6th, at 5 p.m. in the Grand Island City Cemetery a dedication service will be held by the Hall County Historical Society, Grand Island Fire Fighters IAFF Local 647, and City of Grand Island - Fire Department at the gravesite of Thomas "Tommy" Goodchild (1844-1892). As a Grand Island businessman, volunteer firefighter with the Grand Island Always Ready Hook & Ladder Company 1, and labor advocate, Goodchild left an indelible mark on the city. All members of the community are invited to attend this event to pay their respects to this remarkable individual and honor the service and sacrifice of the brave men and women who have protected our community since Grand Island Hook & Ladder Company 1 was organized in 1874.

09/26/2023

Thank you GRAND ISLAND LITTLE THEATRE for helping us share the story of David Kaufmann. GILT actors helped us recreate scenes for the upcoming David Kaufmann documentary. Kaufmann loved going to the movies and could often be found sitting in the front row of his own movie theatre in later life. We can't wait to see this film on the screen at Kaufmann's own Grand Theatre next year!

To learn more about this project, or how you can help, visit our website: https://www.hallnehistory.com/david-kaufmann-film.html

09/26/2023

The Hall County Historical Society is getting ready for its Centennial Celebration and has a lot planned for October.

09/24/2023

We had a great day recreating scenes for the Kaufmann documentary. Thank you to our amazing actors with the GRAND ISLAND LITTLE THEATRE and Mike Bockoven as our 1900-1910 Kaufmann. Thank you also to Stuhr Museum and Grand Island Liederkranz for being locations for the film.

09/18/2023

We have so many great programs and events coming up this season for you! Comment below and let us know which one you are most excited for.

09/15/2023

We know it as Husker Harvest Week now, but did you know that 100 years ago (1923) this week would have been known as Hall County Fair Week?