Hall County Historical Society

06/02/2026

Known as the "Night of the Twisters," on June 3, 1980, seven tornadoes, including one F4 and three F3s, devastated Grand Island and the surrounding areas.

Five people were killed, about 200 were injured, and over 500 living units and businesses were destroyed with over $300 million in damage. To read more, visit https://history.nebraska.gov/marker-monday-tornado-hill/.

05/29/2026

The weather is looking good for our tours this weekend! We should be in the 70s with only a slight chance to get damp. As long as there is no lightening we will go on as scheduled. Friday tour kicks off at 5 pm and Saturday at 10 am.

Our path is not too long (see the map below) but wear comfortable walking shoes. We try to keep on paved roads as much as possible and guests are always welcome to bring a small stool or chair to carry along if they need to take a rest along the way.

Tours are free for HCHS members and $10 for non-members. We hope to see you there!

05/26/2026

The 2026 Grand Island Cemetery Tour is this weekend! We will meet on the south side of Stolley Park Road near the GAR cemetery. This year we will be featuring individuals buried in both the Grand Island and GAR cemeteries with a special sneak peek of the upcoming Hall County Chautauqua being held on July 4 at Stuhr Museum.

Free for HCHS members and $10 for non-members, this annual event is one you won't want to miss! Join us on either (or both) Friday, May 29 at 5 pm or Saturday, May 30 at 10 am.

05/20/2026

More than 150 women attended first meeting of Women Who Care - Hall County

05/13/2026

We are overwhelmed by the generosity of Women Who Care - Hall County who selected us as the first beneficiary of their support.

History was made last night by this group of civic minded women and we cannot wait to see how much good they can do for Hall County nonprofits for years to come!

05/07/2026

Today is the day to Go Big GIVE! Thank you to everyone who has already made a gift to the Hall County Historical Society. Please consider supporting our mission to promote the research, education, and preservation of Hall County's heritage and history with a gift to us at: https://www.gobiggive.org/organization/HallNEHistory

🚢 Smooth sailing into the early hours!

Congrats Fred Roeser for growing your donation by $250 to Hall County Historical Society!

This 12:30 - 1:00 am half-hour prize was made possible by our Anchor Sponsors - https://www.gobiggive.org/p/sponsors

04/30/2026

Go Big GIVE has kicked off!!

The Hall County Historical Society (HCHS) was founded in 1922 and is the oldest continuously operating historical society in the state of Nebraska. It is a non-profit corporation run entirely by volunteers. It has a membership of about 400 and serves the entire Hall County community, as well as visitors to the area. The mission of the historical society is to promote the research, education, and preservation of Hall County's heritage and history. This is carried out in many ways, but mainly through public education and the preservation of historic sites and buildings within Hall County.

04/08/2026

Join us Saturday for the last Bygone Book Club of the 25/26 year!

Wright Morris skipped his senior year for Europe, where he encountered a friendly Countess, was imprisoned by a mad Count, and nearly met Mussolini in circumstances that almost landed him in Italian jail. Returning to America, he became one of the most experimental novelists of the last century and a pioneering photographer.

This month's Bygone Book Club discussion will be led by Jim Dean.

03/15/2026

We had a great day yesterday at The Hargis House of Grand Island for the 3rd annual Hall County Women’s History Walk. Attendees included family members for 3 of our honored women - the nieces of Charlotte (Bosselman) Eaton, daughters of Maxine Rathman, and daughter of Ruby Washington.

The posters will be on display at the Grand Island Public Library through the end of the month and again at Stuhr Museum on July 4.

03/10/2026

Join us this Saturday (March 14) from 2-3 pm at Hargis House for the 3rd Annual Hall County Women’s History Walk as we celebrate the lives and legacies of 10 remarkable women from our community:

Ruth Boyden – Cultural and Civic Leader

Caroline Langman-Converse – Prairie Storyteller

Charlotte (Bosselman) Eaton – Inspirational Businesswoman and Political Trailblazer

Madeline Kaufmann – Cinematic Visionary and Philanthropist

Sister Mary Magdalena – Community Healthcare Champion

Senator Arlene Nelson – Hall County’s First Female State Senator

Jane Pinder – Grand Island’s Music Teacher

Maxine Rathman – Wood River Historian and Community Archivist

Frances Reynolds – Philanthropic Leader and Community Champion

Ruby Washington – Champion of Children and Equity

The Hall County Women’s History Walk is sponsored by: Grand Island Public Library, Hall County Historical Society, The Hargis House of Grand Island, Stuhr Museum, YWCA Grand Island