APRIL 2026 NEWSLETTER
From the Archives: April 1903
In April of 1903, a sitting U.S. president stepped off a train in Omaha, and the city stopped to watch.
Theodore Roosevelt arrived at the old Union Depot (Omaha) along the riverfront, where crowds had already gathered, pressing in for a glimpse of the man who had quickly become one of the most dynamic figures in the country.
This wasn’t a quiet visit.
People lined the streets, filled the platforms, leaned out of windows. Omaha showed up.
Roosevelt, known for his energy and directness, delivered brief remarks during his stop, speaking to the strength and promise of the American West. These speeches were often given right from the back of the train, informal but powerful, designed to connect with everyday citizens.
And in that moment, Omaha was part of a much bigger national story.
Imagine standing along Douglas Street that day, shoulder to shoulder with a crowd waiting for the president to arrive. The buildings were different. Many are gone. But the street is still there.
So is the idea.
Omaha has long been a city that people pay attention to. A place of movement, ambition, and momentum.
The question, as always, is what we choose to carry forward.
A Seat at the Table
That same energy is still here.
We recently had the opportunity to meet with Mayor John Ewing, and it was a fantastic conversation.
Omaha is growing. Rapidly. Intentionally. With real opportunity in front of us.
And what was clear in that room is that preservation has a role to play in that growth.
Preserve Omaha is stepping into that role. Not on the sidelines, but in the conversation. Bringing forward ideas, advocating for thoughtful preservation policies, and helping ensure that as our city evolves, it retains the character and history that make it worth investing in.
We left that meeting energized.
And committed to staying engaged.
Because the future of Omaha is being shaped right now.
And we intend to be part of it.
An Afternoon at Fort Omaha
Our recent Gilded Age event at the General Crook House Museum was a perfect reminder of why this work matters.
People drove for miles to be there. They arrived dressed in beautiful, thoughtful attire, fully stepping into the experience of a grand historic home.
We opened the social season for 2026 with a champagne toast, setting the tone for what preservation can feel like when it is done well.
The rooms were full. Conversations lingered. Guests moved through the house with curiosity and appreciation, taking in details they may have otherwise missed.
There is something different that happens when you experience a place like that in person.You feel it. And once you feel it, you understand why it matters.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped bring that house to life. Your presence is what makes these spaces not just preserved, but truly experienced. 
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Why It Matters
Omaha is growing, and so are we.
We believe preservation should be part of that growth, not separate from it.
Because once a place is gone, it’s gone.
But when we choose to keep it, it continues to add value to the city we’re building.
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Join Us
We cannot do this work without you.
Preserve Omaha is powered by our members and donors. Your support allows us to advocate, educate, host events, and continue showing up for the places and stories that matter.
If you believe in this work, we invite you to be part of it.
Become a member. Donate. Share our mission.
Omaha has always been a city that shows up.
Let’s keep doing that together.
With gratitude,
The Preserve Omaha Board
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February Newsletter
FEBRUARY 2026 NEWSLETTER
If the past few weeks have shown us anything, it’s this: preservation is alive, relevant, and deeply connected to the future of our city.
Across Omaha, conversations about historic buildings, redevelopment, and policy are happening in real time — and Preserve Omaha is right where we should be: educating, advocating, and bringing people together around the places that make this city unforgettable.
What Preserve Omaha Does JOIN TODAY
Preserve Omaha’s work is rooted in three core initiatives:
Educate. Advocate. Celebrate.
We educate the public and decision-makers about why historic places matter.
We advocate for smart tools and policies that support reinvestment and community vitality. And we celebrate Omaha’s buildings, neighborhoods, and stories so they continue to be lived in and loved.
Right now, all three of those efforts are very much in motion.
Advocacy in Action: The Historic Tax Credit
A bill scheduled for a February 4th hearing proposes eliminating Nebraska’s historic tax credit — a proven tool that has helped reinvest in historic buildings, support local jobs, and strengthen communities across the state.
This moment is important, and our response to it is equally significant.
Preserve Omaha is actively engaged, with board members experienced in government and advocacy leading our efforts. We’re working alongside partners, sharing information, and ensuring that preservation voices are informed, constructive, and part of the conversation.
This is what advocacy looks like when it’s done thoughtfully and with purpose.
You can help us to expand our effort! Contact your senator TODAY and tell them that you oppose LB 1244. You can also submit a comment online — please do so before 8:00am on February 4th.
CONTACT YOUR SENATOR
SUBMIT A COMMENT
Why This Matters: Seeing Preservation Up Close
Preservation isn’t abstract — it’s personal.
Recently, a historic house in Little Italy became the focus of a local news story that captured both what was lost and why people care so deeply about these places. Preserve Omaha responded, helping bring context, perspective, and passion to the conversation.
Watch the news segment and see our ongoing updates here
These moments spark awareness, conversation, and momentum — and they remind us why showing up matters. 
Education in Action: Why This Building Matters
The Normandie Apartments
Omaha is rich with historic apartment buildings, but few are as old or as striking as the Normandie at 1102 Park Avenue. Designed by Frederick A. Henninger in the Classical Revival style and constructed in 1898, the Normandie is one of the oldest standing apartment buildings in Omaha.
Built during a time when residents were seeking healthier, more comfortable living environments, buildings like the Normandie represented progress, community, and thoughtful design. Located in the Hanscom Place subdivision, just a short streetcar ride from downtown, it offered families and professionals a quieter place to call home.
Henninger was one of Omaha’s most influential architects, shaping neighborhoods across the city with buildings that served people from all walks of life. The Normandie, one of his earliest and finest works, remains a powerful reminder of what thoughtful preservation makes possible.
Today, the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a designated Omaha Landmark — proof that historic places can continue to serve our city when given the care and investment they deserve.
Stories like this are why education is such a vital part of preservation. When people understand a building’s story, they understand why it matters.
Photo courtesy of Josh Biggs
How You Can Be Part of This Moment JOIN TODAY
Momentum grows when people lean in.
For real-time updates, resources, and ways to engage around the February 4 hearing, visit us on social media:
 
Preserve Omaha is powered by people who care deeply about this city. Joining, renewing your membership, or making a donation helps ensure we can continue to educate, advocate, and show up when it matters most.
Looking Ahead
Preservation is not about standing still — it’s about shaping the future with intention.
Thank you for your passion, your engagement, and your belief that Omaha’s history is worth protecting. Together, we are building awareness, momentum, and a stronger voice for the places that make this city feel like home.
Warmly,
The Preserve Omaha Board
March Newsletter
MARCH 2026 NEWSLETTER
February proved that Preserve Omaha is not standing still.
We testified at the State Capitol.
We hosted a town hall at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral.
We brought preservation into the rooms where decisions are made and gave our members a voice in shaping what comes next.
This is why you belong here.
This is what your membership makes possible.
And we are just getting started. JOIN TODAY
An Afternoon at the Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
In February, members and friends joined us inside Trinity Episcopal Cathedral for guided tours and an open town hall conversation.
Omaha was founded in 1854. Trinity’s original parish dates back to 1856. The cathedral was completed in 1883, and to stand inside that soaring Gothic space is to feel how deeply preservation anchors us to our beginnings.
The turnout was strong. The discussion was thoughtful. Members asked questions, voiced concerns, and shared ideas about where Preserve Omaha should focus next.
That kind of engagement strengthens our organization and our city.
The Spring Social Season is On: A Gilded Age Gathering at the General Crook House Museum
Sunday, March 29, 2026 | 3:00–5:30 PM
If you love Downton Abbey or The Gilded Age, this is your afternoon.
Step into the late 1880s, when Omaha’s spring social season shaped civic life. Calling cards announced arrivals. Gloves signaled propriety. Parlor conversations quietly influenced a growing city.
Through immersive historical vignettes unfolding throughout the house, champagne and light refreshments, and period-inspired music, we bring that world to life inside one of our region’s most iconic historic homes.
This is your opportunity to lean into elegance.
To honor the social graces of the era.
To wear your best and embrace the ritual of showing up well.
Florals. Gloves. Tailored suits. Polished shoes.
Or perhaps an 1880s silhouette worthy of a grand entrance.
The social calendar of 1888 moved quickly, and so will this guest list.
As the ladies of the Gilded Age might say,
One simply must attend.
Capacity is intentionally limited to preserve the intimacy and refinement of the afternoon. If you intend to join us, it would be wise to secure your place without delay.
Why It Matters
At a recent board meeting, we asked a simple question: Who benefits from Preserve Omaha?
Three clear answers emerged.
Homeowners benefit. Education and practical guidance give people confidence to care for their historic properties.
Neighborhoods benefit. Well-maintained historic homes strengthen property values, stability, and community pride.
The city benefits. Advocacy for historic places supports tourism, economic vitality, and the architectural character that makes Omaha distinct.
The educated homeowner builds a stronger neighborhood.
Strong neighborhoods build a stronger Omaha.
That is why this work matters.
March in Omaha History
When Omaha Was the Capital
On March 1, 1867, Nebraska officially became the 37th state in the Union.
At that moment, Omaha was the capital.
More than a decade earlier, on January 16, 1855, Acting Governor Thomas B. Cuming convened the First Territorial Legislature in Omaha, officially designating it the capital of the Nebraska Territory.
Those early legislative sessions were held in a two-story brick building located on Ninth Street, between Farnam and Douglas. From that modest structure, lawmakers debated the future of a vast frontier territory.
When statehood was achieved in March 1867, Omaha was still the seat of government. However, within months, a political compromise relocated the capital south to Lancaster, which was soon renamed Lincoln.
Omaha lost its title as the capital city.
But it did not lose its ambition.
Instead, it became the commercial engine of Nebraska. Railroads surged. Stockyards expanded. Immigrants built neighborhoods that still shape our city today. Brick by brick, Omaha reinvented itself.
The original territorial capital building no longer stands. Yet the ground it occupied remains part of our civic foundation.
Preservation allows us to remember that Omaha once stood at the political center of Nebraska’s birth.
Other Preservation Happenings
A Call for Volunteers
Looking to get more involved with preservation in the Omaha area? Preserve Omaha is looking for enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers to help us with our mission of recognizing, celebrating, and advocating for Omaha's historic places. Scheduling is flexible and we have a wide range of opportunities available, including research, event help, outreach, communication, and hands-on tasks. Take our survey to be the first to know about upcoming needs and events!
Please note: volunteer opportunities are limited to Preserve Omaha members. Not yet a member? Register on our website today!
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Be Part of What Happens Next
Preserve Omaha is growing, and your involvement matters.
If you are not yet a member, we invite you to join us.
If your membership has lapsed, now is the perfect time to renew.
If you believe in this work, consider making a donation to help us expand our advocacy and education efforts.
Your support allows us to testify, host town halls, create meaningful events, and advocate for the historic places that define Omaha.
We also want to hear from you.
Have a question, concern, or suggestion?
Reach out. Call. Email. Connect with a board member.
This organization belongs to its members.
And if you are looking to get more involved, we are always seeking volunteers. Whether your interest is events, advocacy, research, or neighborhood outreach, there is a place for you here.
Join us. Stay engaged. Help shape what comes next.
Warmly,
The Preserve Omaha Board
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