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Historical Society |
| 1960 - Organized at a meeting
of 100 people under the direction of Carl Smith
1960 - Museum opened on the 2nd floor of the Broken Bow State Bank (Now United Nebraska Bank) Collections began - newspapers saved. Mr. Smith also authored several books relating to the area's history, including The Olive Trial.
1972 - On January 31 the Society moved to the newly vacated Broken Bow Carnegie Library Building.
1986 - The Society purchased the entire inventory from the Wescott, Gibbon, and Bragg General Mercantile Store of Comstock. The majority of inventory was placed in storage for lack of display room.
1986 - The Society purchased the former Schmid Drug Store on SE corner of the Dierks Block. Renovations began.
1986 - The former Security State Bank building was given to the Society by the Richardson family to be used as a Research Center and Bank Museum. Expenditures for the three buildings soon became a financial burden and following a year of constructive study, the board determined a mission and future goal. With the mission established, the Board of Directors voted to reduce their holdings from three buildings to one more suited for their purpose. The building in the Dierks' block was sold and is now Square One, owned by Lola and Gene Chapin. The Security State Bank building was given to the newly formed Custer County Foundation.
1992 - The Society purchased the large building on the SW corner of the Square from Ken & Mabel Lyddon. The long process of moving from the city owned Carnegie Library building, gathering inventory from all the storage places, cataloging and identifying items began. The genealogy center was moved on May 2nd - We were open for business and under one roof at last!!
From then Till Now - The Society has sponsored numerous art shows, photography displays, quilt shows, Parades of Christmas Trees, and display of pioneer families. In 1994, summer hours were extended to 10-5, six days a week from June 1 to September 30. This was accomplished by our great "Army of Volunteers." Our Research Center has developed immensely as more people are becoming interested in tracing their roots through genealogy. We are proud to possess an outstanding information center that is used by people from all over the U.S.A. With two web sites and a connection to the internet, we will continue to provide more service to more and more people. Our exhibits of Solomon Butcher - the great photographer of the Sod House - and the many separate collections have delighted many visitors, both young and old. |