Downtown in Lincoln in Lancaster County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Nebraska Statehood Memorial

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, July 23, 2022

1. Nebraska Statehood Memorial

Inscription. From 1854 to 1867 the seat of territorial and state government was in Omaha. In 1867 the State Legislature appointed a Capital Commission to select a location for the new state capital. Commission members Governor David Butler, Auditor John Gillespie and Secretary of State Thomas P. Kennard on July 29, 1867 selected the present site.

In 1869 John K. Winchell of Chicago designed masonry homes in Lincoln for each of the Commissioners. These showplaces did much to instill confidence in Lincoln's future.... Of these three structures, only the Kennard House stands today. It is apparently the oldest house within the original plat of Lincoln and is one of the finest remaining Nebraska examples of Italianate domestic architecture, the leading American style from about 1855 - 1875, Nebraska's pioneer period.

In 1965 the State Legislature designated the structure the "Nebraska Statehood Memorial" and assigned responsibility for the memorial to the Nebraska State Historical Society. Thus the house stands today, a symbol of the confidence early Nebraskans had in their state.

Erected by Nebraska Centennial Commission Historical

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Land Mark Council. (Marker Number 90.)

Topics and series. This historical marker and memorial is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), and the Nebraska State Historical Society series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is July 29, 1867.

Location. 40° 48.408′ N, 96° 41.848′ W. Marker is in Lincoln, Nebraska, in Lancaster County. It is in Downtown. It is on H Street just east of 16th Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lincoln NE 68508, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker and memorial is in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

and on the prairies.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Rediscovering The Rear Wing (within shouting distance of this marker); The Ferguson House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Nebraska Governor's Residence

Nebraska Statehood NRHP Memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., February 12, 2012

2. Nebraska Statehood NRHP Memorial

On the house

(approx. 0.2 miles away); The Protecting Hand Sculpture (approx. 0.2 miles away); Abraham Lincoln Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Chief Standing Bear (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Chief Standing Bear (approx. ¼ mile away); Mari Sandoz in Lincoln (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lincoln.

Regarding Nebraska Statehood Memorial. National Register Statement of Significance excerpt:

One of the first problems facing the State of Nebraska when established in 1867 was the selection of a state capital location. Meeting in Omaha, Nebraska's territorial capital (1854-1867), the State Legislature picked three men to make the decision: Governor David Butler, Secretary of the State Thomas Perkins Kennard, and State Auditor John Gillespie. This Capital Commission, largely through Kennard's persuasion, selected the present site of Lincoln on July 29, 1867.

In 1869 architect John Keys Winchell of Chicago designed three similar masonry dwellings in Lincoln, one for each of the Capital Commissioners. Of these three structures, only the Kennard House stands today, 100 years later. It

Nebraska Statehood Memorial Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Pat Filippone, July 15, 2015

3. Nebraska Statehood Memorial Marker

is believed to be the oldest house within the original 1867 plat of Lincoln and is perhaps the best of the few remaining Nebraska examples of Italianate domestic architecture, the leading American style from the mid-1850's to the mid-1870's, Nebraska's pioneer period. The house is the last remaining Lincoln structure linking the present to the important events of Nebraska's early Statehood period, events with which the house was intimately associated. The house stands today as a symbol of the confidence early Nebraskans had in their state.

Also see . . . Nebraska Statehood Memorial/Kennard House National Register Nomination Form. (Submitted on November 6, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Photographed by Pat Filippone, July 15, 2015

4. Nebraska Statehood Memorial Marker

Photographed by Pat Filippone, July 15, 2015

5. Nebraska Statehood Memorial Marker

Thomas P. Kennard House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 4, 2013

6. Thomas P. Kennard House

Nebraska Statehood Memorial in front of the Thomas P. Kennard House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, October 14, 2023

7. Nebraska Statehood Memorial in front of the Thomas P. Kennard House

Newer sign for the Thomas P. Kennard House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, October 14, 2023

8. Newer sign for the Thomas P. Kennard House

Credits. This page was last revised on November 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 28, 2015, by Pat Filippone of Stockton, California. This page has been viewed 909 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 23, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 2. submitted on November 6, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 28, 2015, by Pat Filippone of Stockton, California. 6. submitted on November 21, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 7, 8. submitted on August 23, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.