The UNL History Harvest project, along with the Nebraska State Historical Society, will host the third annual History Harvest, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 15 in the Nebraska History Museum, 15th and P streets.
History Harvest is an innovative project that brings together computer science and history students to produce a digital history of Nebraska generated by and for the people of Nebraska.
“Because so many historical sources and archives are in people’s attics or in trunks, the History Harvest program will help make these important items available for teachers and scholars,” said Will Thomas, professor of history at UNL. “Participants in the harvest will be able to share the stories behind these artifacts and help open up new stories about Nebraska’s past.”
Anyone who can add to the history of Nebraska is invited to come and contribute during the free event.
The materials being collected include, but are not limited to, diaries, photographs, letters, maps, images, war memorabilia and other family or cultural heirlooms. Students will not keep these treasured items, but will digitally document them.
Following the harvest, the students working on the project will digitize the Nebraska history materials and make them available in a shared archival website and eBook for schools, universities, colleges and interested citizens.
On the day of the event, there will be street parking available and a drop-off zone for loading and unloading at the Centennial Mall Nebraska History Museum bus turnout. There is also a parking garage nearby at 14th and P streets.
For more information about History Harvest, contact the UNL Department of History at 402-472-2414, or email Thomas at wthomas4@unl.edu. For questions on the day of the event, call the Nebraska History Museum at 402-471-4782.
