2023 Programs & Events

Voices of the Past Programs

at Burlington Station - 603 N Plum St, Grand Island
programs begin at 2 pm
$5 for non-members, free for members

  
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January 8, 2023, | Antique Christmas Ornaments
John Hanssen's popular program returns with a different era of historic Christmas ornaments to enjoy.  

February 12, 2023, | “A Dust-Begrimed and Dirty Looking Set of Men”: Hobos and Tramps in Nebraska, 1870s-1930s
UNK's Dr. Nathan Tye will share his research on hobos, tramps, and transients – men and women who hopped trains and lived on the road – were an integral part of Nebraska’s agricultural economy from the 1870s to 1930s. Hobos were a major source of casual labor across the state. They harvested wheat, dug ditches, built homes, businesses, and roads, and struggled against social and legal inequalities. Labeled vagrants, bums, and criminals these marginalized workers were subjected to widespread violence but built a flourishing community built around shared songs, slang, and culture across the Great Plains.

March 12, 2023, | Jerry's Sheet metal 
History of this very early Grand Island Business.

April 16, 2023 | Lewis and Clark Expedition
Dr. Fruehling will share the medical history of the Lewis and Clark expedition.  This is a Humanities Nebraska ​program that is free to everyone.

2023 Bygone Book Club

at Grand Island Public Library 
meetings begin at 11 am
everyone is welcome, this is a free event



January 14 | Nebraska Sweet Beets: A History of Sugar Valley by Lawrence Gibbs (led by Stephanie Crosby)  

February 11 | The 1931 Hastings Bank Job & The Bloody Bandit Trail by Monty McCord (led by Tom Frazer)

March 11 | Wolves in Blue: Stories of the North Brothers and their Pawnee Scouts by Dr. Jean Lukesh (led by the author)

April 15 | Sheep King: The Story of Robert Taylor by Robert Perry (led by Jim Dean) ​

Other Programs and Events

FIREWORKS FOR THE 4TH OF JULY 2023
American's love celebrating the 4th of July. For nearly 250 years, we've celebrated with fanfare, food, and fun. This year, Grand Island will be celebrating the 4th and the start of
our second 150 years as an incorporated city, with FIREWORKS!
Thanks to a hodge-podge group of people who want to keep celebrating Grand Island, while watching fireworks, we'll once again have a community fireworks display.  On July 4th at Fonner Park, you can join in the celebration, with your oohs, ahhs and ohhs!
And, since this is a community event, we're hoping that people will chip in a few bucks here and there. The Hall County Historical Society, which is part of the community
fireworks committee, is accepting donations for this year's event. Donations may be made online at www.hallnehistory.com select "Store" or sent to 603 N. Plum St, Grand Island, NE 68801 -- please indicate Community Fireworks Display (Donations to HCHS are tax-deductible)
 Over half the needed funds for 2023 have been pledged by people and businesses. It's hoped that through broad-based community support, this can be an annual event to
celebrate our country and bring joy to our community. 
 
Fireworks, steering committee members include Grand Island 150th organizers Chris Rosacker, Don Deitemeyer, Fred Roeser, Dana Jelinek, and Celine Swan, as well as business
owner Greg Geis. Others offering organizational support, include Fonner Park and Stuhr Museum. Others will be joining in as well now that the holiday rush is past.
 
We hope you can join us on January 15th 2023 at Burlington Station, as we start raising additional funds through a “BLAST FROM THE PAST” food event at Burlington Station.

“BLAST FROM THE PAST”

What: A Hall County Historical Society “Food Event” Fundraiser in support of a 4th of July 2023, Fireworks Display at Fonner Park. The HCHS is working in conjunction with
The Mayor’s Grand Island 150th Committee and Grand Island Tourism, celebrating the closing 150th event of a year of festivities.
Where: Burlington Station 603 N. Plum St. GI.
When: Sunday January 15, 2023, 11:00 to 1:00
Meal Deal: Cheese Frenchee using “AMERICAN CHEESE” with a cup of homemade soup; choice of “Good for the Soul” Chicken Noodle or “Creamy” Tomato Bisque or substitute offering of “AMERCAN” Fries with Frenchee. Meal includes beverage Coffee, Tea, Water, RC Cola, or a delicious can of ice cold Yoo-Hoo Chocolate flavored drink.
Price: $7.50 for meal deal; monies raised going to the fireworks display fund.
Take-Out is available. Meal Reservations are required so we cook enough for all who wish to attend.
Call Fred at 308-383-0848 or Don at 308-390-4082.
We may have a surprise for you!​

April 22, 2023 at 9:30 am | Hall County P.O.W. Camps
Celebrate Wood River's Friendship Gathering will feature Michelle Setlik, with the Hall County Historical Society, at Wood River High School. Setlik will share the history of Hall County's World War II Prisoner of War camps. 

April 29, 2023 at 10 am | G.A.R. Cemetery Tour
Join Sue Clement and Michelle Setlik for our very first cemetery tour focusing on the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) The cemetery is located on the southwest corner of the Grand Island City Cemetery. Admission for this event is $10 for non-members and free for members of the Hall County Historical Society. 

​June 2 at 5 pm / June 3 at 9 am and 3 pm | Cemetery Tour
Our popular tour of the Grand Island City Cemetery returns in June 2023 with new stories to share about our community and the people who lived here. Admission for this event is $10 for non-members and free for members of the Hall County Historical Society. 






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Stolley House Events

at Stolley Park - 2103 W Stolley Park Rd, Grand Island​

TBA  | Art-In-The-Park,  other Open house times
TBA  |  Stolley Christmas Open House

City of Grand Island Sesquicentennial Events

The City of Grand Island was incorporated in 1872, in celebration of the City's sesquicentennial, multiple events are being held throughout the community. The events the Hall County Historical Society are hosting/co-hosting are listed below, there is no cost to attend the events listed below: 

We are trying to have these again in 2023 | A Grand Tour
Join us on a one-of-a-kind historic bus tour of Grand Island. Multiple times will be offered for the 1 ½ hour tour of some of the most historic sites of the community over the past 150 years. ​Tours will begin at 9 am; 11 am; and 1 pm. Each tour will last 1.5 hours. 

A Grand Community Program Series
at Grand Island Library - 1124 W 2nd St, Grand Island
programs begin at 2 pm

 .This was a 2022 program event.