History Nebraska Marker Equity Program accepting grant applications

LINCOLN, Neb. - History Nebraska is now accepting applications for the Historical Marker Equity Program. The program will review and select winning applications that share the story of underserved groups and topics. This current grant cycle is asking for markers to cover any of the following topics:

Civil Rights

Arts (Musical, Theater, etc.)

Native American Perspectives

20th Century Immigration/Refugee Movements

Sports

"I am proud to announce the opening of the first round of applications for the Historic Marker Equity Program," says project coordinator Autumn Langemeier. "The topics for this round cover a wide range of subjects we currently lack in our historic markers. The advisory council for this program and I look forward to receiving applications and seeing the public's ideas for markers in their communities."

Earlier this month, the Historic Marker Equity Program announced its first members to the advisory council. Eric Ewing of Omaha, Dr. Heather Fryer of Omaha, Vickie Schaepler of Kearney, and Dr. Nathan Tye of Kearney will join Langemeier on the council. Langemeier is also seeking additional members of the council.

Director and CEO of History Nebraska, Trevor Jones, says the program will help to tell Nebraska's story more thoroughly. "We are excited to launch the new Historical Marker Equity Program," says Jones. "Although there are nearly 600 historical markers in Nebraska, we have long known that they do not represent the full scope of our state's rich history. This new program will facilitate the creation of new markers that will broaden our understanding of the past by filling in some of these gaps."

Selected applicants will work directly with History Nebraska to design, produce, and install their historic marker at no cost. Thanks to the efforts of State Senator Justin Wayne of Omaha, the 2021 Nebraska legislature allocated funds to assist History Nebraska in identifying diverse stories across the state to be told through the historical marker program. The funds will be used to offset the costs of new and replacement historical markers that meet diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion criteria set by the Historical Marker Equity Program.

To apply for the grant, interested groups can contact Autumn Langemeier directly at autumn.langemeier@nebraska.gov. Grant applications will be accepted through July 20th, 2022.

About History Nebraska

History Nebraska collects, preserves, and shares Nebraska’s history for all people. History Nebraska operates the Nebraska History Museum in Lincoln and historic sites around the state including Chimney Rock Museum, Fort Robinson History Center, Neligh Mill State Historic Site, Thomas Kennard State Historic Site, Senator George Norris State Historic Site, John Neihardt State Historic Site, and over 570 historical markers placed across Nebraska. History Nebraska administers the State Archives and Library; the State Historic Preservation Office; the Gerald R. Ford Conservation Center; the Office of the State Archeologist; publishes Nebraska History Magazine and books; and is responsible for the administration of the Nebraska Hall of Fame Commission. More at https://history.nebraska.gov and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.