History repeats itself: History Nebraska rebrands again, goes back to old name

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — History Nebraska will once again be known as the Nebraska State Historical Society.

The agency said Tuesday that the rebranding will take effect Sept. 3.

“Our return to the name Nebraska State Historical Society represents a recommitment to our mission to collect, preserve, and share the histories that unite us,” interim Director Cindy Drake said in a press release. “For 140 years, the Nebraska State Historical Society name was synonymous with Nebraska history, and it will be once again.”

The historical society changed its name to History Nebraska in 2018.

The switch back to its original name comes after a tumultuous time for the agency.

Last year, former Director Trevor Jones was charged with felony theft by deception.

Prosecutors said he obtained $270,000 from the privately funded Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation under false pretenses.

Court documents say he requested the money to offset the agency’s losses from the COVID-19 pandemic but instead put the money in the bank account of the newly created History Nebraska Foundation.

Some of the money was used to pay the legal costs for starting the new foundation, authorities allege.

SEE ALSO: Former History Nebraska director found, now facing up to 20 years in prison

Jones’ case is pending in Lancaster County District Court.

Under a law passed this year, the director of the historical society is now a member of the Cabinet and will report directly to the governor.