David Seay

Weeping Water Valley Historical Society Hosts Day of Free, Family-Friendly Events During Fall Festival

Join the Weeping Water Valley Historical Society on September 25th for a day of free, family-friendly events.  The day kicks off the Cemetery Scavenger Hunt at the historic Oakwood Cemetery.  Entrants can pick up official clue books at area locations then visit the cemetery and find the answers to the mysteries while learning intriguing history about some of Weeping Water’s early residents. Enter as an individual, team, or family. Those who complete the hunt and return their entries by October 12th will be put into prize drawings. Oakwood Cemetery is one of the stops on the new Heritage Trail Walk, a 3.2-mile self-guided tour featuring 14 sites highlighting the history of Weeping Water.

 

At 11:00 am, bring lawn chairs or blankets and join us at the Heritage House Museum Complex at 300 West H Street where Humanities Nebraska speaker David Seay will present Nebraska Territory Stories. In this upbeat presentation, David performs folk music that existed at the time Nebraska became a state on March 1, 1867. Between tunes, he discusses how these songs provide glimpses into history by telling stories of the everyday life of pioneers during the 13 years before Nebraska statehood. Combining his passions for music, history, and storytelling, David has presented HN Speakers Bureau programs since 1997. He is a master artist with the Nebraska Arts Council’s Artist-in-the-Schools Communities Residency Program and performs with his wife, Deborah Greenblatt, in the popular musical duo Greenblatt & Seay, which has participated in the Nebraska Arts Council’s Touring Program for more than 30 years. David plays over a dozen instruments, teaches private music lessons, and conducts workshops in harmonica. There will be snacks available from Will Cover’s historic chuckwagon and the Heritage House and Dr. Fate’s office will be open for tours following the presentation.  Humanities Nebraska (HN) provides major funding for this program.  HN receives support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Nebraska State Legislature, the Nebraska Cultural Endowment, and private donations. 

 

Take a nostalgic stroll through the historic main street at Memory Lane Museum, 215 W Eldora, where this historical society is hosting an ice cream social from 10:00 am t0 2:00 pm. Memory Lane features displays and memorabilia cataloging the business interests of Weeping Water from the time the town was established. A diorama of the downtown businesses, built by the UNL School of Architecture includes pull-out drawers showing the occupants through the years. The Wilkinson Confectionery soda fountain was moved from next door, and a restored counter from Gibson Grocery is featured in the General Store display.  You’ll also find cemetery records, Weeping Water advertising collectibles, postcards, old yearbooks, and town records at Memory Lane.

 

The Scavenger Hunt Clue Book will be available starting September 25th in Weeping Water at Memory Lane Museum, Drue’s Kitchen, Express Lane, Stop N Shop, State Farm Insurance, and at Bloom Where You’re Planted Farm near Avoca.

 

Nebraska Territory Stories is one of approximately 300 programs offered through the Humanities Nebraska Speakers Bureau. The more than 165 available speakers include acclaimed scholars, writers, musicians, storytellers, and folklorists on topics ranging from pioneer heritage to ethics and law to international and multicultural issues, making it the largest humanities speakers bureau in the nation.  For information detailing the available speakers and guidelines for booking them, contact Humanities Nebraska at 215 Centennial Mall South, Suite 330, Lincoln, NE 68508, or visit www.humanitiesnebraska.org.

 

Founded in 1969, the Weeping Water Valley Historical Society (WWVHS) recently celebrated 50 years of preserving the history of the Weeping Water Valley. WWVHS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and depends upon memberships, contributions from our community, and the dedication of volunteers.  

 

Event Highlights:

  • Oakwood Cemetery Scavenger Hunt –  Sept. 25 through Oct. 9
  • Nebraska Territory Stories presentation by Humanities Nebraska speaker David Seay – Sept. 25 at 11:00 am at Heritage House, 300 W H Street, Weeping Water
  • Ice Cream Social – Sept. 25 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at Memory Lane Museum, 215 W Eldora Avenue
David Seay

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