Have you ever wondered who lived in your home before you? Or who designed that beautiful building you pass every morning on your way to work? On Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m., the answers might be closer than you think.
Joslyn Castle & Gardens will host a hands-on, interactive workshop led by local preservationist and researcher Kristine Gerber, who has spent more than a decade uncovering the hidden histories of Omaha’s buildings and neighborhoods.
The event is part of Joslyn Castle’s popular “This Old House” series, designed to demystify the process of maintaining and preserving older homes. It is presented in partnership with the Nebraska State Historical Society and Preserve Omaha.
Gerber, who has helped secure National Register listings for more than 100 properties and researched hundreds more for tours, projects and preservation efforts, will guide participants through the process of uncovering the stories behind homes and commercial buildings. Her go-to tools? Historic land plats, Sanborn Fire Insurance maps, city directories, architectural surveys, newspaper archives and more.
“Every building has a story,” Gerber said. “Omaha’s buildings are like a living library — each one filled with stories about the people who lived and worked there. Researching these properties not only helps save them, but deepens your connection to the city’s past.”
One highlight of the evening? A lucky attendee will have their property selected for live research during the event. Everyone is encouraged to bring a laptop or smartphone to follow along and even start researching their own home or favorite building during the session.
One person who has benefited from Gerber’s presentation is Kelli Bello, who researched her former home at Western and 67th Avenues.
“With Kristine’s guidance, we were able to discover that my former home was once a showhouse known as The Centennial House, billed as the futuristic ‘all-electric home’ by the Omaha Home Builders’ Association in 1954. More than 5,000 people walked through our home to admire all of the electric appliances in the ‘ultra modern kitchen’ and experience the air conditioning.
“My husband and I used to laugh at The Centennial House advertisements declaring, ‘The lady of this house will have time on her hands,'” Bello said.
Joining Gerber is Shelley McCafferty, preservation administrator for the City of Omaha. She will walk attendees through the city’s online Omaha Heritage Preservation system, a robust tool with interactive maps, architectural drawings, historical images and property data.
The cost to attend is $10 and space is limited. Architects can earn one HSW CEU credit for attending. Registration is available at joslyncastle.com.
Girls Inc. celebrates 50 years at lunch
Celebrate 50 years of Girls Inc. of Omaha at Girls Inc.’s 23rd annual Lunch for the Girls at the CHI Health Center Omaha on Aug. 7 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“Lunch for the Girls will be a celebration of growth, impact and the unstoppable brilliance of our girls,” said Candias (Candi) Jones, Girls Inc. of Omaha CEO. “This luncheon is a tribute to 50 years of grit, grace and generational impact. As we honor the past, we step boldly into a future of expansion, growth and endless possibility — for every girl, and with every one of us.”
Lunch for the Girls has been the signature fundraising event for Girls Inc. since 2002. Past speakers include Malala Yousafzai, Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Madeleine Albright, Barbara and Jenna Bush, Stacey Abrams, Gloria Steinem, Nikki Giovanni, Dr. Mae Jemison, Amber Ruffin and Lacey Lamar.
Previous featured speakers have been engaging and inspiring, but it’s the Girls Inc. girls who steal the show each year as they share their experiences during the program. This year, the girls take center stage as the featured speakers, welcoming Girls Inc. alumnae and honoring those who have played a role in helping Girls inc. of Omaha change the lives of thousands of girls since 1975.
Reservations for Lunch for the Girls are available for $100 per person. Reservations can be made online through https://2025LFTG.eventbrite.com.
Lots of fun at southeastern
state parks in July
Spend some time this summer in Nebraska’s southeastern state parks. During July, a variety of events are planned for those for all ages and interests.
Don’t forget to purchase a required vehicle park entry permit to enter the state parks. Get one at OutdoorNebraska.gov or at state park entrances.
In celebration of America and honoring our veterans, Nebraska City Blue Star Mothers will host a display of Quilts of Valor throughout the Arbor Lodge Mansion at Arbor Lodge State Historical Park until July 31.
Come to Arbor Lodge State Historical Park on Friday and Saturday for Mystery at the Manson. This old-fashioned whodunit will take place at Arbor Lodge Mansion from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday features Murder at Deadwood Saloon while Saturday features Murder at the Juice Joint.
Space is limited. Visit the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov to purchase tickets.
Come to Eugene T. Mahoney State Park near Ashland on Saturday and enjoy some summer stargazing. Telescopes will be provided so visitors may get a glimpse at the night sky beginning at dusk. Meet behind the park’s golf shack for this free event from 9 to 11:30 p.m. Remember to bring camp chairs or blankets.
For a touch of holiday cheer, bring the family to Indian Cave State Park near Shubert on July 25-26 for the 12th annual Campfire Christmas in July. The weekend includes tractor-drawn hayrack rides, a Yule Log Quest, Christmas-themed games, water slide, food trucks, Jingle Bell Junk and Craft Market, outdoor movie, campsite-decorating contest, and a visit from Santa.
For a full schedule, see the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov.
‘Wild Kingdom’ will air again on MeTV
For those who grew up in the golden age of television, “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom” wasn’t just a show, it was a Sunday night staple that brought families together. They’d gather around the TV to watch Marlin Perkins transport them to some of the wildest places on earth.
Starting Sunday, you’ll be able to relive those cherished memories. Those classic episodes of “Wild Kingdom” will air once again on MeTV from 6 to 9 a.m. Central time.
When “Wild Kingdom” first aired in 1963, it created the blueprint for every nature documentary that followed. Over its 25-year, 330-episode run, it attracted 34 million viewers and earned four Emmy Awards. The show didn’t just entertain; it educated and inspired generations to care about wildlife conservation.
“We’re thrilled that classic episodes of our trailblazing series, ‘Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom,’ will be making a return to television on MeTV,” said Jen Wulf, vice president of Brand Marketing at Mutual of Omaha.
“For generations, ‘Wild Kingdom’ has ignited a passion for wildlife and conservation, inspiring viewers of all ages to protect the natural world. We’re honored to carry forward the legacy of Marlin Perkins, Jim Fowler and Peter Gros by continuing to take audiences on unforgettable adventures and empower viewers to learn more about protecting our planet.”
To find MeTV in your area, visit metv.com/wheretowatch.
Walk Through the Gardens is 6th in Papio
The Papillion Junior Woman’s Club invites guests to its sixth annual Walk Through the Gardens on July 12 from 9 a.m. to noon.
This year’s event is a walk in every sense — a delightful journey from one end of the block to the other. There are parking spaces at both ends. Saint Columbkille lot No. 5 and the library both offer parking.
The garden at 446 N Jefferson welcomes you with its unique charm and inviting atmosphere. This property is 120 years old and is lovingly called The Barbie Bungalow. It is currently a home and a beauty salon/boutique. It features the most beautiful pink roses. Due to recent storms it has lost some 100 year old trees but the owner is replanting and with each new tree is pouring love back into the soil.
The next stop is the Portal School. While there is no garden here there is plenty of nostalgia. The schoolhouse is an authentic look at a days gone by one room schoolhouse. The Portal School teacher will be on hand to lead tours and answer questions.
The next stop on Jefferson Street is the Sautter House, which is listed on the Historic Register. Efforts were made to duplicate the original garden including a kitchen garden on the east side of the house. The gardener who cares for these grounds will be on hand to answer questions. As an added treat the Sautter House will open its doors to visitors and is worth a step inside to see the beautifully preserved past. Members of the Papillion Area Historical Society will be on hand to lead tours and answer questions.
The Papillion Public Library is the next stop on the tour. The library gardens are maintained by Master Gardeners who will be on hand that morning to give tours and answer questions. They like to highlight the bioretention area and are so proud of the fully occupied Native Bee Hotel.
Directly across from the library two home gardens await. One is a sweet ‘Garden in Progress’ – a familiar and honest reflection of the ongoing work many gardeners know so well at 243 N. Jefferson.
The other is a delightful old-fashioned garden at 221 N Jefferson. There is a tranquil charm to this yard. With hollyhock in abundance, old fashioned tiger lilies and an old bathtub filled with flowers. Adding to the charm is a well-cared for raised vegetable garden. Primitive farm tools are showcased throughout this yard. A reminder of the owners’ growing up years. There is something for everyone to look at and love in this garden.
The event benefits the NeighborGood Community Food Pantry. The NeighborGood van will be parked in the library parking lot where they will be accepting donations of nonperishable items or monetary donations.
Land Bank accepts applications for ambassadors
The Omaha Municipal Land Bank, which supports sustainable and thriving communities by transforming neglected properties into community assets, is currently accepting applications for its Ambassador Program, which is designed to deepen and expand the bench of community members who support, learn from and provide insights to the Land Bank.
The Land Bank partners with community entities focused on revitalization and affordable housing with the goal of reducing the number of vacant lots in Omaha.
Through the Ambassador Program, the Land Bank forms a diverse cohort of community advocates to provide participants with information about the Land Bank’s programs and impact. In turn, the Land Bank learns from these community members how the organization can continuously be a better neighbor. Many current Land Bank board members are also Ambassador graduates.
Each year’s cohort of Ambassadors attends training sessions once per month from August to June. Sessions cover many topics important to equitable community development, such as the Land Bank’s acquisition, maintenance and disposition policies, lot transformation best practices and board service.
Applications are open through July 18. Apply for the program and learn more about the Land Bank at omahalandbank.org/ambassador-program.
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