Annual Neihardt Day August 4, 2013 in Bancroft

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.