On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence. Collectors of early United States history long pursued a complete set of signatures of the 56 men who boldly signed the document. Omaha’s first real estate agent, Byron Reed, assembled one of the nation’s most important collections of coinage and manuscripts. Reed also sought a signature from each signer, and today, the Byron Reed Collection includes documents related to 49 of the 56 signers. The Durham Museum is proud to preserve and feature it in honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States. In Search of the Signers includes original letters, receipts and other documents from the Byron Reed Collection tied to the Declaration’s signers, as well as a reproduction of John Trumbull’s iconic painting, “Declaration of Independence.” The Durham Museum is open Tuesday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday – Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday noon – 4 p.m., – visit museum website to confirm hours. Admission: Adults: $17*, Seniors (62+): $14*, Military/Veteran: $14*, Children (ages 3 – 12): $10* *PLUS TAX Members & children 2 years and under FREE
Big Elk was chief of the Omaha Tribe during the 1800s. As the expanding U.S. threatened First Peoples, he sought ways to protect his tribe and their culture from obliteration. He created alliances and attempted to prepare for a future that he thought depended on a closer relationship with the U.S. Chief Big Elk will be presented by his great-great-great-great-great-grandson, Taylor Keen. Audience members will be able to ask questions first of Chief Big Elk and then of Taylor Keen.
Abigail Adams played an important role in the founding of this nation. She and her husband, John Adams, were intellectual equals who discussed the complex issues of founding a nation together. She wrote him many letters that contained her astute advice while he worked with other patriots. Presented by Jessica Downing-Ford
This session will discuss the history and politics of Nebraska’s admittance as the 37th state in the Union. As the first state admitted after the Civil War, Nebraska not only faced the politics within the state, but Reconstruction politics as well. Presented by Dr. Sara Crook, Professor Emeritus, Peru State College This talk will be given in the West Room.
An experienced storyteller, Linda Garcia-Perez draws on her experiences as a young girl in Omaha’s Mexican-American barrio. Her stories convey a universal message of humor, wonder and tradition. This program is appropriate for all ages. This presentation will be given in the East Room.
Speaker: Dr. Steven P. Howard, PhD Dr. Howard, director of the Archaeology and Anthropology department at Eastern Wyoming College will provide a brief synopsis of what is known about peoples that lived in this region prior to contact, and a discussion of developments during and after the Contact Period.
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The Origins of American Cowboy Culture (Read More)
Why are there rodeos? Why are there cowboys? Why are there horses in America? Where did the word cowboy come from? The Stetson cowboy hat? Why were there TV shows like Gunsmoke, The Lone Ranger, and The Cisco Kid? This fascinating presentation traces cowboy culture’s roots from the open plains of Spain to the establishment of ranching culture in the New World. Angel Vigil describes the role of the Spanish/Mexican vaquero in the establishment of traditional cowboy and ranching practices in the west, placing the historical and fictional lore of the origins of the American cowboy in the historical context of the vaquero, the true first cowboy. Presented by Chautauqua scholar Angel Vigil.
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Women’s Rights and the Saucy Mrs. Adams (Read More)
Five years after Abigail Smith married John Adams, the American colonies adopted the British law of coverture. This law held that no female person had a legal identity. Married women owned nothing—not even the clothes on their backs. More importantly, they had no rights over their own bodies, or custody of the children they bore. Abigail’s marriage was based on mutual respect, and she understood how lucky she was. She witnessed families torn apart by a husband’s drunkenness, lack of employment, temper, and/or money mismanagement. Abigail’s famous ‘remember the ladies’ letter to her husband in which she implores him to “not put such unlimited power into the hands of the husbands,” speaks directly to the law of coverture. This was the women’s rights issue of her time—remnants of which still exist in the year 2024. Presented by Chautauqua Scholar Jessica Downing-Ford
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Lecture, ‘America’s Civil War: Then and Now’ (Read More)
This free lecture by Jeremi Suri, from the University of Texas-Austin, will provide a thought-provoking presentation related to “A House Divided” and the legacy of the Civil War. This event is presented in partnership with Sheldon Museum of Art and is connected to the world-premiere production of the play “A House Divided.” Suri is the author and editor of 11 books on contemporary politics and foreign policy, most recently “Civil War By Other Means: America’s Long and Unfinished Fight for Democracy.” He also hosts the weekly “This is Democracy” podcast, which illuminates ways in which the past offers hope for the present and the future, if only we can escape the negativity of our current moment. Suri will share insights from his scholarship on the Civil War, including historical divisions in the U.S. and connections to current affairs. A free ticket is required to attend this event in the Ethel S. Abott Auditorium at Sheldon Museum of Art on the UNL campus.
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Panel discussion, ‘A House Divided: Politics Today and American History’ (Read More)
A panel discussion reflecting on the legacy of the Civil War and today's divide in the United States This diverse panel featuring University of Nebraska experts joined by Nebraska leaders and celebrated author Jeremi Suri will be facilitated by Will Thomas, Angle Chair in the Humanities and Professor of History at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. At Lied Commons at Lied Center for Performing Arts. Free admission, no tickets required. This event is presented in partnership with the Sheldon Museum of Art and is connected to the world-premiere production of the play “A House Divided.” Suri is the author and editor of 11 books on contemporary politics and foreign policy, most recently “Civil War By Other Means: America’s Long and Unfinished Fight for Democracy.” He also hosts the weekly “This is Democracy” podcast, which illuminates ways in which the past offers hope for the present and the future, if only we can escape the negativity of our current moment.
