John G. Neihardt State Historic Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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John G. Neihardt Study
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The Neihardt Study and Sioux Prayer Garden
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 Location in Nebraska
Location in the United States
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| Location | NW corner of Washington and Grove Sts., Bancroft, Nebraska |
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| Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
| Built | c.1890 |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000369 |
| Added to NRHP | July 28, 1970 |
The John G. Neihardt State Historic Site, also known as the Neihardt Center, is a special place in Bancroft, Nebraska, United States. It has cool museum exhibits all about John Neihardt, who was a famous Nebraska Poet Laureate. This means he was recognized as the state's official poet!
The site also protects a small, one-room building where Neihardt wrote many of his important works between 1911 and 1920. This study room is the only original building left from his property. In 1970, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which is a list of important historical sites in the U.S.
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Discover the Neihardt Center
The Neihardt Center is a great spot to learn about history and literature. It's run by the Nebraska State Historical Society and the John G. Neihardt Foundation. Besides the study, you can also explore the Sacred Hoop Prayer Garden, which Neihardt himself designed. There's also a library full of books and materials about Neihardt's life and what he left behind. Each year, they even have a special "Neihardt Day" celebration!
Who Was John G. Neihardt?
John G. Neihardt was a very important writer, especially known for his poems and stories about the American West and Native American cultures. He was named Nebraska's Poet Laureate, which is a big honor for a poet in a state. His writings helped many people understand more about the history and spirit of the Great Plains.
The Special Study Room
The one-room study is like a time capsule. It's set up just as it would have been when Neihardt used it. Visitors can peek inside from the open door and imagine him working there. This small building was where he created some of his most famous pieces, making it a very important part of American literary history.
A Look at the Study's History
The study building itself has an interesting past. It was built around the early 1890s by August Hartman as a small house for his daughter. Around 1900, the Canarsky family owned it. John G. Neihardt bought a house nearby and rented this small building from the Canarsky family from about 1911 to 1921. He used it as his quiet office and library.
Later, Neihardt's own house was moved to a farm about 8 miles (13 km) east of Bancroft. But the study stayed. In 1964, the Bancroft Commercial Club bought the study from William Canarsky for $750. Then, in 1967, the John G. Neihardt Foundation worked to restore it, making sure it would be preserved for future generations to visit and learn from.
