Douglas County Historical Society - Nebraska

10/23/2026

We’re closing at 12PM today as we get ready for tonight’s The Breakfast Club event with special guest Anthony Michael Hall! 🎬🍿

Planning a visit to the Crook House Museum? We’ll be open Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m., and we’d love to welcome you!

Thanks for understanding, and we can’t wait to see everyone at the movie tonight!

10/22/2026

WAIT… WHAT?! 👀🎬

TWO TICKETS just became available for tomorrow’s SOLD OUT showing of The Breakfast Club with special guest Anthony Michael Hall!

We thought every seat was spoken for, but someone’s lucky break just showed up! If you missed out, this is your chance to join us for an incredible night at the Omaha Community Playhouse!

📞 Call 402-455-9990 to claim them!
Today until 4 p.m.
Tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Only TWO tickets are available, so make that call! Who’s coming to detention with us tomorrow night?

10/22/2026

WHAT IF YOUR SEWING LESSONS CAME WITH A LITTLE MAGIC?

Imagine being a young girl in 1913, opening a book to learn how to sew, only to discover that your teachers weren’t ordinary people at all!

Meet Sewing Bird, Mr. Silver Thimble, Tommy Tomato Pin Cushion, and an entire cast of delightful characters known as the Thimble People!

Today, we’re sharing a fascinating treasure from the Douglas County Historical Society’s collection!

“Easy Steps in Sewing for Big and Little Girls,” also known as “Mary Frances Among the Thimble People,” was written by Jane Eayre Fryer and illustrated by Jane Allen Boyer in 1913.

But this wasn’t your ordinary sewing manual!

The story follows young Mary Frances during a summer at her grandmother’s house, where her sewing supplies come to life and teach her valuable skills through magical adventures!

AND HERE’S WHERE HISTORY GETS INTERESTING!

In 1913, sewing wasn’t simply a hobby. It was an important household skill. Clothing was often repaired, altered, or made at home, and girls were frequently taught needlework as part of their upbringing.

Books like this made learning practical skills FUN by combining storytelling with hands-on instruction!

Imagine a little girl sitting beside her mother or grandmother, turning these pages and learning her first stitches.

We don’t know exactly who used our copy, but more than a century later, it offers a fascinating glimpse into childhood and everyday family life.

AND THAT’S WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO AT DCHS!

History isn’t just about famous people and major events. It’s also found in the ordinary objects that reveal how generations before us learned, worked, and lived.

Sometimes a century-old sewing book can tell an extraordinary story!

NOW WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Who taught YOU how to sew? A parent, grandparent, teacher, or did you teach yourself?

Do you remember learning from books like this?

Share your memories! We’d love to hear them!

History lives in the little things, and we’re proud to help preserve them!

#1913

10/20/2026

FROM LITTLE PUMPKINS TO PRESERVING THE PAST… MEET THE PEOPLE BEHIND DCHS!

We’re digging up some Halloween memories from our staff’s childhoods, and we’re kicking things off with a little pumpkin who grew up to have a pretty fascinating job!

Any guesses who this adorable little jack-o’-lantern is?

It’s ELISE, our Archives and Research Consultant!

And while she may have traded in her pumpkin costume, she’s still surrounded by some pretty amazing treasures!

SO WHAT DOES ELISE LOVE MOST ABOUT HER JOB?

TEXTILES! Especially vintage garments!

For Elise, there’s something special about holding a piece of history that’s actually been “lived in.”

Think about it. Every vintage dress, coat, or piece of clothing once belonged to someone with a story.

Who wore it? Was it saved for a special occasion? Did someone wear it during an ordinary day that turned into an unforgettable memory?

Those are the kinds of connections that make history come alive, and Elise loves getting to experience them firsthand!

AND HERE’S A FUN FACT THAT’S PERFECT FOR HALLOWEEN!

Elise has not one, but TWO BLACK CATS!

Their names? Diana and Gilbert, inspired by characters from Anne of Green Gables!

Two black cats, a love for vintage clothing, and a career spent uncovering stories from the past? We think Elise fits right into our Halloween festivities!

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN!

What was YOUR favorite childhood Halloween costume? Were you a pumpkin like Elise, a superhero, a princess, or something completely unexpected?

Tell us in the comments! Better yet, share one of your own childhood Halloween photos!

And keep an eye on our page because we’ve got more childhood Halloween throwbacks from the DCHS crew coming your way!

After all, the people who preserve history have some pretty fun histories of their own!

10/20/2026

10/20/2026

HISTORY WORTH PRESERVING. STORIES WORTH SHARING!

We were excited to welcome KMTV to the Crook House Museum this morning! They interviewed our Executive Director, Tom Neal, about the remarkable Native American artifacts we’ve had the privilege of displaying for the past several months.

We’re incredibly grateful to the Sarpy County Historical Society for entrusting us with this extraordinary collection and allowing us to share this important history with our community.

Thank you, KMTV, for helping shine a spotlight on this special exhibit!

Now it’s YOUR turn to discover it! Watch KMTV’s story below, SHARE it with your friends and family, and then come see this incredible collection for yourself at the Crook House Museum!

Help us spread the word. These stories deserve to be seen, shared, and remembered!

10/19/2026

HAPPY MONDAY, HISTORY DETECTIVES! IT'S 2-MINUTE MYSTERY TIME!

You know what that means! We've pulled another curious little piece of history from our collection, and now it's YOUR turn to figure out what it is!

Think you can solve this mystery?

Watch the video, study the details, and look for clues. Watch it twice, three times, or as many times as you need! Then head to the comments and give us your BEST guess!

What is it? What was it used for? Who might have used it, and why?

And if you recognize it, we'd love to hear the story behind how you know!

So why do we love sharing these mysteries?

Because history is so much more than dates in textbooks, famous names, and major events.

It's the everyday objects people held in their hands. The tools they depended on. The inventions that made life easier. The things our grandparents used that younger generations might not even recognize today!

Every object in our collection has a story, and sometimes the most ordinary-looking items open the door to the most fascinating conversations.

That's what bringing history to life is all about!

It's connecting generations, sharing memories, sparking curiosity, and discovering how people lived, worked, and solved everyday problems long before our modern conveniences existed.

And who knows? Your memory or experience might help someone else see a piece of history in a whole new way!

HERE'S HOW IT WORKS!

Watch the video, make your best guess in the comments, and stay tuned for the BIG REVEAL at the end of the month to see if you were right!

AND THE PRIZE?

Well, besides learning something new, you get the ultimate reward... BRAGGING RIGHTS!

So come on, history detectives! Put those thinking caps on, share your guesses, and let's see who can crack this mystery!

Because history isn't just something we preserve. It's something we discover, share, and bring to life together!

10/18/2026

FORT OMAHA AFTER DARK RETURNS NOVEMBER 12!

What happens when the sun goes down over one of Omaha's most historic places? The stories take on a whole different atmosphere!

TICKETS ARE OFFICIALLY ON SALE NOW!

If you've heard about our After Dark events but haven't experienced one yet, you might be wondering what all the excitement is about. Well, here's a little taste of what awaits you!

Imagine walking along historic Officers Row at Fort Omaha after dark, surrounded by buildings that have witnessed more than a century of history.

Now imagine hearing the stories of people who lived, worked, and spent time here. Stories of unusual footsteps, unexplained sounds, unexpected sightings, and experiences that have left people wondering what really happened.

And here's what makes it even more fascinating... you'll be standing in the very places where some of these experiences were reported!

Join Jamie Nestroyl of Midwest Paranormal History Tours and the Douglas County Historical Society for a 90-minute walking tour that brings together documented history and firsthand accounts of the unexplained.

But don't confuse this with a ghost hunt!

We aren't investigating, using paranormal equipment, or trying to communicate with spirits. We're sharing real history alongside the experiences and stories that have become part of Fort Omaha's past.

Some stories might surprise you. Others might give you goosebumps. And a few may have you looking over your shoulder on the walk back to your car!

You get to decide what you believe!

AND WE HAVE SOMETHING NEW!

We've moved to a brand-new ticketing platform, and we're pretty excited about it!

Not only can you reserve your tickets, but you can also shop some fantastic DCHS and After Dark merchandise right during checkout!

Looking for a fun souvenir or a way to show your support for local history? Be sure to browse the merchandise while you're there!

FORT OMAHA AFTER DARK

Thursday, November 12 | 7:00–8:30 PM

Fort Omaha Campus | Building 11B
Meet in front of the Crook House Museum
$30 per person + tax
Limited tickets available!

This is a 90-minute outdoor walking tour, so wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather!

READY TO JOIN US?

Scan the QR code on our graphic or get your tickets here:
https://our.show/douglas-county-historical-society/87605

Our After Dark experiences have been incredibly popular, and tickets are limited. Don't wait until they're gone!

Come for the history. Stay for the stories. And experience Fort Omaha in a way you've never experienced it before!

10/16/2026

IT'S 2-MINUTE MYSTERY REVEAL TIME!

Alright, history detectives... WERE YOU STUMPED?!

This week's mystery had us digging into a different kind of history! Here's one last clue...

It's something used in agriculture!

Still scratching your head?

IT'S A CORN SHELLER!

That's right! This unusual little tool, which entered our collection in 1992, is a corn sheller featuring a metal mesh thumb protector and leather wrist strap. It was used to help remove kernels of corn from the cob by hand.

Now, think about that for a moment.

Today, we have machines capable of harvesting and processing enormous amounts of corn in a fraction of the time. But imagine when something as simple as removing kernels from a cob required hours of repetitive, hands-on labor.

Imagine the patience. The tired hands. The time it took to accomplish something we barely give a second thought to today.

Can you imagine using THIS instead of the modern equipment we have now?

Here in Nebraska, agriculture has shaped generations of families and communities. But tools like this remind us that behind every technological advancement were hardworking people doing the job with whatever tools they had available.

And it makes you wonder...

What everyday conveniences do we take for granted today?

What tasks that once demanded hours of physical labor can we now accomplish with the push of a button?

And perhaps the most interesting question...

What tools are WE using today that people 100 years from now will look at and wonder, "How did they ever do it that way?"

That's what makes history so fascinating! Sometimes the smallest objects tell us the biggest stories about everyday life.

NOW WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Have you ever used a hand corn sheller or watched someone shell corn by hand? Did your parents or grandparents have something similar?

Share your memories! We'd love to hear them!

And if this one had you completely fooled, don't worry. That's half the fun of 2-Minute Mystery!

Sometimes the smallest objects tell the biggest stories about how far we've come!