Chimney Rock - Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation

For generations, Chimney Rock has been one of Nebraska’s most prolific and well-known landmarks. First designated as a National Historic Site on August 9, 1956, the natural monument inspired pioneers during their travels centuries ago. From the 1840’s to the 1860’s, the landmark inspired many artists to document its grandeur, including the famous western landscape painter Albert Bierstadt.

Today, the Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation aims to protect the site for future generations. In November 2018, the Foundation purchased 360 acres of pasture situated between Chimney Rock’s spire and the Abbott Visitor Center. With this purchase, visitors will eventually be able to get closer to the great monument.

Now, the foundation needs your help in raising $1.8 million to expand and improve the Abbott Visitor Center.

Donate to the Chimney Rock Project

To mail donations, please make your check payable to the Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation (NSHSF). Checks can be mailed to the Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation, Kinman-Oldfield Suite #1010, 128 N. 13th, Lincoln, NE 68508. The NSHSF is a 501(c)3. Federal Tax ID #47-6000332.

Images © Sharon Henderson, used with permission.

Thank you to The Nebraska Environmental Trust and Dillon Foundation

The Nebraska Environmental Trust awarded the Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation with a grant of $278,650 for the “Grasslands at Chimney Rock Land Acquisition” project. Combined with a generous $125,000 donation from the Dillon Foundation, this funding allowed the Foundation to purchase and retain 360 acres of grazing land surrounding the Chimney Rock National Historic Site. This purchase adds to the existing 40 acres encompassing Chimney Rock and 8.3 acres of land for the visitor center which History Nebraska already owned. Thanks to the generosity of the Nebraska Environmental Trust and the Dillon Foundation, the view of this iconic piece of Nebraska geology and history will be preserved in perpetuity.

For more information about the NET grant, view our press release.
For more information about the Nebraska Environmental Trust, visit their website.
For more information about the Dillon Foundation, visit their website.