New Exhibit at Nebraska History Museum

Lincoln, NE - 06/12/2025 - This week, the Nebraska History Museum’s newest exhibit, “New to View: Showcasing Sound, Screen & Sports”, opened to the public.

Nebraskans have been involved in music and movies since the early 1900s. From the films “In the Days of ’75 and ’76” to “Terms of Endearment”, filmed in 1983, from homemade instruments to big-time concerts, Nebraskans have influenced and been influenced by pop culture.

“It's great so see all of these items on display, especially the items from ‘Dangerous Dollars’ and ‘Terms of Endearment’, because love for movies is almost universal,” said Matthew Mickelson, Photo and Audiovisual Curator. “The stories of those who remember when ‘Terms of Endearment’ was filmed in Lincoln conveys the impact this movie had on the community.”

“'New to View: Showcasing Sound, Screen, and Sports” is a uniquely Nebraska exhibit, and I’m so excited for visitors to see it,” said Jordan Miller, 3D Objects Curator. “They’ll be greeted with some of the biggest players in pop culture history in Nebraska and some lesser-known gems, as well as some great moments in sports and recreation.”  

The exhibit features artifacts never before displayed at the Nebraska History Museum. New items will be rotated into the exhibit during its two-year run on the second floor.

“This exhibit spans generations, so it’s perfect to visit with the kids while they’re on summer break to connect with each other over history,” said Samantha McCarville, Curator of Education. “‘New to View: Showcasing Sound, Screen, and Sports’ has something for every visitor.”

McCarville added that things like the book “The Hitherto Unpublished Letters from Mr. Postley,” who is a dog, will spark interest in kids, their parents, grandparents and other adults.

“We are revamping our exhibits at the Nebraska History Museum, and ‘New to View’ is a great starting point that offers a glimpse into some of the incredible objects and stories in our collections,” said Araceli Hernandez, director of the Nebraska History Museum. “I'm particularly excited about the cinema history in the exhibit, and I hope everyone leaves with at least one ‘I didn't know that happened in Nebraska’ moment.”