Bequests stabilize museum finances; fund needed facility improvements

There was good news to report when the Nuckolls County Historical Society annual meeting was held Sunday afternoon in Pioneer Hall.

Often the annual reports have shown expenses exceeding income but that wasn’t the case for this year.

The society received from trust funds and estate settlements nearly $1.3 million in 2023. These gifts have been used to pay for needed improvements to the museum property, operating expenses and to enlarge the endowment. Total assets at the end of 2023 excluding the value of its buildings and collections was $1,720.984.92. The bulk of this has been invested in income earning accounts.

Among museum improvement projects completed in 2023 was the replacement of the original lighting with modern LED lights. The lighting change has not only made the collections easier to see, it is thought LED lighting will reduce the collection fading caused by the previous lights.

Later this year, a program will begin to replace aging heating and air conditioning units in the various buildings.

Board members in 2023 were Dave Frey, Dave Healey, Camie Kroeger, Lori Meyer, Fred Meyers, Nancy Meyers, Dawn Miller, John Price Jr., Marty Pohlman, Steve Renz, Janice Watts and Rob Williams. Nancy Meyers serves as curator.

Those present reelected Frey, Kroeger, Fred Meyers, Pohlman and Williams to the society board for another three years. It was noted the society has unfilled board positions available for people living outside of Superior. It was suggested those interested in serving on the society board should express and interest to a director.

Kroeger serves as secretary, Healey as treasurer and Fred Meyers and Renz serve as cochairmen.

The curator reported on new additions to the museum collection, visitation and publicity. For example, Pure Nebraska has filmed multiple episodes about the museum and Superior history which are now shown on television.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Great Plains Railroad, a shortline that operated between Superior and Seward on former Chicago and Northwestern track. As part of the 2024 Lady Vestey Victorian Festival planned for Memorial Weekend, the museum will host a presentation by railroad historian Jim Reisdorf and friends. That presentation will highlight the short history of the railroad, one of the first Nebraska shortlines.

Also that weekend, the museum will host the Victorian Tea.

Before adjourning, those present played a Nuckolls County History Trivia Game. The game had 11 questions. They were:

1. What names are on the addition to the east side of the museum’s main hall?

2. The first train to pass through Lawrence was operated by the Burlington in 1886. On this first trip, rides were free to all residents. What happened on the first trip?

3. From the following list of people, who never set foot in Nuckolls County? a) William Vestey b) Joe Louis (former heavyweight boxing champion) c) Stephan Nuckolls, the man for which the county is named. d) William Jennings Bryan e) Fred Meyers f) none of the above.

4. In 1873 the first railroad entered Nuckolls County. What was the name of that railroad?

5. Which trail(s) did not pass through Nuckolls County? a) Oregon Trail b) Chisholm Trail, c) Pony Express Trail, d) Mormon Trail

6. Where was CCC Camp 756 located in Nuckolls County in June 1936?

7. Oak native and Nuckolls County resident Russ Snyder played with the Baltimore Orioles’ World Series winning baseball team in what year?

8. The 1908 Model A Fuller Car assembled in Angus had what brand of engine? How many cylinders?

9. Advertised as “America’s most beloved television personality,” who appeared at the Nuckolls County Fair in 1968?

10. In August, 1931, the largest mastadon ever found in the United States was found near what town in Nuckolls County?

11. And the 11th extra credit question involved a tool and what it could be used for. At first glance it appeared to be a regular claw hammer but close examination revealed it was a multipurpose tool that could be used as both a hammer and as a wrench to loosen or tighten square headed bolts. A series of steps molded into the claw would grip the square nuts of the old bolts and allow them to be turned.

The answers:

1. Aurand and Pioneer.

2. The train collided with a cow, was derailed and seven people died. The dead were buried in unmarked graves in the St. Stephens Cemetery.

3. Stephan Nuckolls apparently never visited his namesake county. William Vestey came to Nuckolls County and persuaded Evelyn Brodstone to return to work for the Vestey Brothers firm, Joe Lewis was featured in a 1955 prize fight at the City Auditorium. William Jennings Bryan made one or more campaign appearances in the county. Fred Meyers presided at Sunday’s meeting,

4. The first railroad to enter Nuckolls County was the St. Joesph and Western It clipped the northeast corner, passed through Sedan and is now part of the Union Pacific System.

5. The Chisholm Trail did not pass through Nuckolls County. While the official Mormon Trail did not pass through Nuckolls County, Mormon immigrants did.

6. The Civilian Conservation Corps camp was located on the Nuckolls County Fairgrounds.

7. Russ Snyder played with the Orioles in the 1966 World Series.

8. The Fuller car was powered by a four cylinder Rutenber engine.

9. Lassie, the popular Collie dog, appeared at the 1968 Nuckolls County Fair.

10. The largest mastadon was found near Angus.