Nebraska State Historical Society Building | |
 The south entrance in 2012 | |
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| Location | 1500 R Street Lincoln, Nebraska |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 40°49′02″N96°41′57″W / 40.81722°N 96.69917°W /40.81722; -96.69917 (Nebraska State Historical Society Building) |
| Area | Less than one acre |
| Built | 1953; 73 years ago (1953) |
| Built by | Olsson Construction |
| Architect | Ellery L. Davis |
| Architectural style | Moderne |
| NRHP reference No. | 03000797[1] |
| Added to NRHP | August 21, 2003 |
TheNebraska State Historical Society Building is a two-story building on the campus of theUniversity of Nebraska–Lincoln inLincoln, Nebraska. Constructed in 1953, it houses theNebraska State Historical Society and was added to theNational Register of Historic Places in 2003. It houses the James E. Potter Research Room, which is open Wed - Fri, 9 am - 4 pm and by appointment on Mondays.
The Nebraska State Historical Society was founded in 1878 to "encourage historical research and inquiry, spread historical information, and embrace alike aboriginal and modern history."[2] After seventy-five years with its archives and offices spread across basements at theUniversity of Nebraska andState Capitol, a permanent home for the organization was built in 1953 and named simply the "Nebraska State Historical Society Building."[3] TheNebraska Legislature approved a newtax levy to fund the building, which was built byOmaha-based Olsson Construction.
The building was designed in theModerne style byEllery L. Davis, who served as the lead architect for many university buildings of the early twentieth century and assisted in the design ofMemorial Stadium. Its main entrance features a smooth, rounded limestonefaçade with horizontal window sections overlooking R Street.[3]
It was added to theNational Register of Historic Places on August 21, 2003.[1] According to its NRHP listing, the building's "almost harsh horizontal, rectangular configuration coupled with its stark coloring and lack of ornamentation may be seen to shadow elements of theBauhaus andInternational styles, which in turn had borrowed from thePrairie style."[3]
In the mid-2010s, the Nebraska State Historical Society Building was renovated to update itsheating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems and ensureADA compliance.[4]
The main rotunda is used as a display space (maintaining some elements from its use as a museum) with office, research, and archive space branching off throughout the rest of the first floor.[3] The second floor of the building primarily serves as a viewing space, with some bookshelves used for library storage.[3] The basement houses mechanical systems and office space.
The Historical Society's main archives are stored onsite with objects stored in a separate building.
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