Brownville in Nemaha County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Nebraska State Teachers' Association
On October 16, 1867, the first meeting of the Nebraska State Teachers’ Association was held on this site in the Brownville Union High School, at that time the largest free high school in Nebraska. Presiding over this meeting was Robert W. Furnas, one of Brownville’s leading citizens, who would later serve as Nebraska’s second governor (1873-75).
During this pioneer time, there were concerns about the often primitive and low-quality schools. Fewer than half of Nebraska’s children attended school, and there were virtually no standards for teacher qualification. In response to these needs, the fifty-six people who attended the two-day meeting created the NSTA “for the purpose of elevating the profession of teaching and promoting the interests of schools in Nebraska.”
That spirit of commitment to education lives today in the work of thousands of Nebraska teachers who daily rededicate their efforts to the future of children and the improvement of their profession. Since its Brownville beginnings in 1867 the organization, now known as the Nebraska State Education Association, continues with an unbroken history as Nebraska’s oldest professional association.
Erected by Nebraska State Education Association; Brownville Board of Education; and Nebraska State Historical Society. (Marker Number 417.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Labor Unions • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Nebraska State Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 16, 1867.
Location. 40° 23.77′ N, 95° 39.595′ W. Marker is in Brownville, Nebraska, in Nemaha County. Marker is on South 4th Street just south of Water Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Brownville NE 68321, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. 1854 Didier Log Cabin (approx. 0.2 miles away); Late 1800's Road Grader (approx. 0.2 miles away); Brownville (approx. 0.2 miles away); Co. C. 1st Reg. of Nebraska (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Large One-bottom Plow (approx. ¼ mile away); Muir House (approx. ¼ mile away); Brownville Bridge (approx. 0.7 miles away in Missouri); Peru State College (approx. 6.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brownville.
Also see . . . Nebraska State Education Association.
The Nebraska State Education Association is a member-directed professional union representing 28,000 public school teachers, higher education faculty and other education professionals across the state.(Submitted on December 19, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 19, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 19, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 153 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 19, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.