The 48th annual Neihardt Day celebration is Sunday, August 4, 2013 at
the Neihardt State Historic Site at 306 W. Elm Street starting with
catered sandwich lunch available from 11:30 a.m. with a program
beginning at 1:30 p.m.
Neihardt wrote about men with strong
personalities, some he found as moral pillars and some not so much, and
he consciously patterned his own philosophies of politics and education
on the former. To illustrate these concepts we have invited the "Rough
Rider President," Teddy Roosevelt, to hold forth on his values and the
challenges of his experiences in the years 1897 - 1900. Roosevelt will
be portrayed by the very talented interpreter of historical figures,
Darrel Draper.
The year 1897 was also the first year John Neihardt
taught school, and his challenges also took moral conviction,
perseverance, and courage to face a classroom of boys older and larger
than he and convince them to learn what he had to teach. There will also
be a reading from this period as related in the first portion of his
autobiography. As has become a long standing tradition, the moderator
will be Ron Hull of NET.
An added feature of the day is the opening of an exhibit of works
reflecting the visions of the Lakota Holy, Man Black Elk, as interpreted
by the late Rev. F. W. Thomsen. The twelve original pastels were done
while Thomsen was the art instructor at Dana College in Blair. Two
additional pieces, portraits of Black Elk and John Neihardt, done by
Rev. Thomsen's son John, also an accomplished artist, will complete the
collection. These works are on long-term loan from the Thomsen family
and will remain on display year round except for other occasional
temporary exhibits.
This event is free and open to the public. Some bleacher seating is
provided; bring lawn chairs. Lunch prepared by Betty's Café II of
Decatur. The day's programming is sponsored by the Neihardt Foundation,
Cuming County Visitors Bureau, and Humanities Nebraska. Formerly named
Nebraska Humanities Council, Humanities Nebraska provides funding
through the National Endowment for the Humanities to organizations
across Nebraska to encourage and inspire knowledge of and love for our
history and cultures.