Even if you've never been there, you've likely heard of some of the people who have been associated with Brownville over the years – author Willa Cather, Nebraska Governor Robert W. Furnas, and Civil War veteran and homesteader Daniel Freeman, just to name a few.

Located along the bluffs of the Missouri River in southeastern Nebraska, Brownville is known for its association with historical figures and its historic buildings, but one thing that hasn't been brought to light, at least until now, is the impact the town had on Nebraska agriculture.

GRAND OPENING: The grand opening of the Sage Memorial Museum took place on Saturday, April 23. The Sage Museum highlights the contributions Native Americans made in Nebraska history, including a display of 59 photos taken by Frank A. Rinehart at the 1898 Indian Congress during the Trans-Mississippi International Exposition in Omaha.

That's one of the goals of the Brownville Historical Society's "Preserving Our Past/Protecting Our Future" campaign. "It's an on-going financial campaign to preserve, restore, and reconstruct our historical properties," explains Bob Chitwood, Brownville Historical Society president, who's also pastor at the Brownville Christian Church. "The campaign's efforts have mainly been focused on the Land Office, the Sage Memorial Museum, and the Ford Garage – what we call the Wheel Museum."

On Saturday, April 23, BHS was joined by Senator Dan Watermeier of Syracuse, Melva Sage, a descendant of Robert W. Furnas who donated the Sage Memorial Museum to the society, along with other members of the community for the grand opening of the Sage Memorial Museum.

"In a time when technology seems to make time fly and shorten attention spans, I think it's important to reflect on Nebraska History," Sen. Watermeier said on Saturday. "I applaud all of those who strive to restore and preserve the history of Nebraska right here in Brownville."

BROWNVILLE BRICK: Bob Chitwood hands Melva Sage a Brownville Brick, an annual award to recognize community members that have shown their support and generosity to the community and historical society. The brick is symbolic of the brick factories that made the brick now found in numerous historic Brownville buildings. Sage, along with her late husband Bob, was a charter member of the Brownville Historical Society. Sage donated the buildings for the Sage Memorial Museum and Wheel Museum, and is a descendant of Robert W. Furnas.

A hub for Nebraska's ag roots
The next step will be the Wheel Museum. Brownville, one of the first settlements in the state, served as a hub for the expansion of Nebraska's agriculture sector. And renovations in the Land Office, Sage Memorial Museum, and Wheel Museum, formerly the McInnich and Kerns Ford Garage, will highlight the town's agricultural exploits.

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"It had to initiate somewhere, and to me, it was Brownville and the surrounding area," says Kellie Kennedy, Brownville Historical Society board member who raises corn, soybeans, and cattle with her husband, son and daughter in Nemaha County. "I take a lot of pride in Brownville. We were the first to produce alfalfa, apples, and made the first shipment of wheat. Brownville was one of the first to host the Nebraska State Fair and held the first County Fair in Nebraska."

PRESERVING NEBRASKA HISTORY: Nebraska Sen. Dan Watermeier addressed the crowd on Saturday at the grand opening of the Sage Memorial Museum. "In a time when technology seems to make time fly and shorten attention spans, I think it's important to reflect on Nebraska History," Sen. Watermeier said. "I applaud all of those who strive to restore and preserve the history of Nebraska right here in Brownville."

In the mid-1800, Brownville was a booming hotspot for these industries, and that's thanks in part to Robert W. Furnas, the second governor of Nebraska. Furnas introduced the bill creating the Nebraska Board of Agriculture, served as first president of the Nebraska State Historical Society, helped J. Sterling Morton establish Arbor Day, and established the Nebraska Advertiser and Nebraska Farmer. Furnas was also a farmer himself – the first alfalfa in Nebraska was grown in his yard.

The renovated Land Office, which opened in October 2015, features the work of sculptor Charles Neidhart, and owner of Brownville Marble Works, along with exhibits devoted to Daniel Freeman, the first homesteader under the 1862 Homestead Act, and Mary Meyer, the first woman homesteader.

The Sage Museum highlights the contributions Native Americans made in Nebraska history. This includes a display of 59 photos taken by Frank A. Rinehart at the 1898 Indian Congress during the Trans-Mississippi International Exposition in Omaha, and an original map of the Half-Breed Reservation in Nemaha County. Furnas, who was appointed an Indian agent for the Winnebago Tribe by President Abraham Lincoln, is also featured.

The Wheel Museum will house number of artifacts from the 1800s and early 1900s on display. This includes antique plows, a Conestoga wagon, surrey, a Civil War cannon, an apple press, horse-powered sorghum press, a wheel-driven grass seeder, two steam engines, along with photos of orchards and vineyards from the 1800s.

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But there's also a room which will feature the state's oldest publications – the Nebraska Farmer and the Nebraska Advertiser. This includes an antique printing press and early issues of the publications. Work on the Wheel Museum will likely start in June and last until next year.

Major contributions from the community
BHS has raised over $122,000 to go toward the campaign, in addition to the three donated buildings, which were donated in February 2015. Contributions have come from BHS members, friends and family members, separate organizations and foundations, local and regional businesses, special events, as well as a $50,000 donation from the Ricketts family.

"I've been amazed by how many different people have been quite generous and helped us get things done," Chitwood says. "We've had good support and we appreciate every gift."

Anyone interested in supporting the campaign can write to: Preserving Our Past/Protecting Our Future, PO Box 1, Brownville, NE, 68321 for information, or call 402-825-6001. Read more about the campaign in the May Nebraska Farmer.