(music) Hey everyone, I'm Sheila Jenkinson and you are listening to the Growing Small Town Nebraska Podcast where I ask community leaders and business owners about their efforts in revitalizing the Cornhusker State. If you love your small town and you're looking for ways to make it even better, or maybe you're interested in what this revitalization movement may mean for you and your family. Join me as I talk with small town Nebraskans making our state the definition of "The Good Life."
(music) Scotts Bluff County Tourism invites you to take in the beauty of Nebraska is landmark country. It's home to more than just Chimney Rock and Scottsbluff National Monument. It's home to campfires and nights under the stars, fish caught trails hiked dripping ice cream cones, and hot air balloons soaring through the sky. Check out the many shops, eateries, attractions and memory making stops. Find out more at visitscottsbluff.com
(music) Elkhorn Valley Museum located at 515 Queen City Boulevard in Norfolk Nebraska has something for everyone discover the history of Northeast Nebraska and more through their permanent and changing exhibits. Stay and play a while in the Children's Discovery Zone, explore Verges Park or visit their research library. Enjoy the many events and activities throughout the year. Elkhorn Valley Museum is open Tuesdays through Saturdays 10am to 5pm for a small admission; members are always free. Find out more at elkhornvalleymuseum.org.
(music) Norfolk Nebraska Rotary Club invites you to become one of Rotary's people of action by putting service above self. Your time, energy, and a passion to improve your world are all you need to get involved with Rotary. Connect with your area Rotary Club or come visit Rotary in Norfolk at noon on Tuesdays at Black Cow Fat Pig.
(music) Thank you to the Norfolk Community Theatre for sponsoring this episode. The mission of the Norfolk Community Theatre is to create live theatre, cultivate local talent, and collaborate in the production of the Performing Arts.
I am recording today at the Kearney Public Library, and this is part of a tourism package through Scottsbluff County tourism, where I was able to go and see a lot of great places in Scottsbluff and Gering area, including the very beautiful and unique Japanese Hall. Vicki Sakurada-Shaepler is the coordinator of the Japanese Hall and History Project at Legacy of the Plains Museum in Gering Nebraska, where she leads a project to preserve the history of the Japanese on the high plains and throughout Nebraska by saving a 90 year old Japanese Hall showcasing this history. She's part of the US Japan Council, the Nebraska Commission on Asian American affairs, and was previously on the History Nebraska Board of Trustees, as well as the Buffalo County Historical Society. Vicki, I'm thrilled to talk to you today.
Well, I am thrilled to share this history!
I was able to go out, like I said, to Scottsbluff and Gering and see the Legacy of the Plains Museum, which I've been out there now a couple of times. That museum itself is just very beautiful and unique. It's a real gem for Nebraska, and
I don't think people realize what a nice museum it is. It really showcases the history of the valley in the surrounding areas and region. The addition of Japanese Hall just makes it so much more unique in terms of bringing an Asian immigrant story that's not often told.
The Japanese hall itself has a unique story as to how and why that project started. So can you share that with our listeners?
Well, for me, I attended a celebration of life at the Japanese Hall I didn't know existed. So there happened to be two Japanese halls in the area, one in Mitchell, which was six miles away, and the one in Scottsbluff. During World War Two, they both closed then they reopened. One became a church, and the other one stayed a social hall. So my family happened to go with the other Hall, but when I went to this hall, on the wall were pictures of my grandparents and the grandparents of so many other people in the area. And someone asked, What's going to happen to all these pictures as they were talking about demolishing the building, because they had this agreement with someone to buy the building, but they were just going to knock down the building. So I just was driving home and just said, We've got to save that hall. And I just had such great response. So you always just start with a short little bit and say, What do you think? And I have such positive comments about saving that hall.
Wow. Well, that's That's amazing. You kind of felt a nudge.
Yes. A great nudge, and as we developed it, we ended up approaching the Legacy of the Plains board, and they were thrilled for us to really even consider bringing it to that campus. They were good about giving us a place where it would be easily seen but on the other hand, they had their own new building and just so much to showcase of the history of the immigrant story and pioneers there. So they really wanted us to raise our own money. Had to raise money to move the building, to demolish the old, build a new and then to develop an exhibit building. And we were able to do that through the generous support from all over the state to support this project.
Well, and I think too, you know, had the Japanese Hall been somewhere else on its own, like you said, when it's tied to legacy of the plains, that just is a great benefit, because people can come see both, whereas maybe either, on its own doesn't get as much attention.
And I think that's exactly right. That was one of the concerns of some of the people that had the building. So by moving the building, the history would be showcased. But again, we were just preventing its demolition, and my grandfather helped to build that building. So after I approached my aunts and uncles, they go, yeah, grandpa helped to dig out the basement by hand, and they took the horse and wagons to haul away the basement dirt. So just fun stories of things that happened at the hall, the dances, the theater events, the silent movies with someone acting a part, and then they would act all the parts, I should say, and play the piano. It was so much fun gathering stories of just events that happened at the hall.
You know. And I feel like in the past, it's been kind of an overlooked piece of Nebraska's history.
Yes, I don't think people realize how diverse Nebraska history is, I don't know how many times I've been asked where I'm from, oh no, no. And I'll say Scott's Bluff, and they go, Oh no, where are you from? And so this gives me an opportunity to say my family. I have five generations of my family that are Nebraskans. We came in the early 1920s. There were actually families there before us that came in the very early 1900s so it's a wonderful opportunity to showcase a different immigrant story.
Well, I'm anxious to share some of the photos I took while I was at the Japanese Hall. I got my own kind of private tour, and was able to spend just under two hours there, really reading and exploring and seeing things. I met your sister, Diane.
And I could not do this project if I didn't have my sister or the many volunteers that have helped us. Our project has been done completely with volunteers. I brought together this whole Advisory Council of people throughout the state, and several from throughout the nation, including Hawaii, and they have brought some expertise to this project that really helped us tell so many stories of the history of our area.
So let's just talk a little bit about the history here. You know there were those who did stand up for Japanese Americans and the Japanese during World War, correct?
Yes, and even in the early 1900s. So in 1919 they had introduced something called an alien land law that would have prevented Asians from being able to own land because they were not eligible for citizenship. And a person, and I always say TC Osborn, but you all know Tom Osborne, so Tom Osborne's grandfather, and I was able to confirm that was one of the people who stood up for the rights of Japanese to own land, and he had several supporters from both the Scottsbluff and Kimball area that supported the Japanese. That bill did not pass then, but was introduced to the Nebraska State Legislature later on. It did pass, but they had so many supporters that they were allowed to buy their homes in town and could lease land for up to five years that did not happen in some other states. So just wonderful supporters.
As you go through the museum, you see those positive stories. But I think we also need to address the fact that there was discrimination. There's a history there that needs to not be overlooked. History is important to remember so that we always continue to move forward. So unfortunately, we need to talk about that as well.
I try to do a blend of both. I think sometimes we focus on the negative. You don't always focus on the positive. But we did have a burning of a cross at Japanese Hall in Mitchell during World War Two. We also had laws that prevented Japanese, Chinese and Blacks from marrying in Nebraska a Caucasian, and our laws in that area did not change until 1963 but they changed before Loving versus Virginia. So we must have had some good people who thought this is wrong, and they changed the laws in Nebraska in 1963. The laws did not change nationally until 1967 there are other things that had happened where many people had lost their jobs, when World War Two broke out. Some Japanese lost their jobs, even in Nebraska, but many others were able to continue their businesses. And I always talk about the Eagle Cafe because it was opened in 1912 date open till 1967 and my parents eventually owned that. But they stayed open throughout the war, and they were able to help bring people out of the incarceration camps to Nebraska and give them employment and give them opportunities that they would not have had. And the University of Nebraska was the third largest acceptor of people out of the camps, and they encouraged others. So George Rosenhauf approached Nebraska Wesleyan, and Nebraska Wesleyan took out of camps and Union College. So there was just so many great stories. Scottsbluff Junior college took people out of the camps. So there was just so many wonderful things that happened to support the Japanese.
And as a person goes through the Japanese Hall and reads these stories, it is very uplifting and positive for the most part, to just really see that, and then there's just a lot of history as it moves through time, of how things developed for that community as well.
We'll be right back after this quick break.
(music) Gracefully Giving Back of Norfolk invites you to make a difference in your community by helping people age with dignity and compassion. Find out more at their special event, Thursday, October 10, from six to 8pm at Black Cow Fat Pig Pub and Steakhouse. Enjoy a relaxed evening of drinks and light hors d'oeuvres while you learn more. You'll also have a chance at giveaways throughout the night. Space is limited, so plan to arrive early. For more information, join the Gracefully Giving Back public page on Facebook or visit their website: gracefullygivingback.com
(music) The Norfolk Area Concert Association has six fantastic concerts lined up for the 2024-25 season. It's time to start thinking about Christmas. So when you purchase your memberships this year, don't forget to give the gift of live entertainment to everyone on your list. Season Passes are only $65 for adults and just $10 for students. Want more?Consider being a patron with several levels available. Go to concert association.net to see the full lineup of concerts and to purchase your tickets.
(music) Thank you to 4th Street Sweets for sponsoring this episode. For your chocolate fix or an original gift, you can find 4th Street Sweets at 103 North Fourth Street in Norfolk. See their delicious treats on their Facebook page: 4th Street Sweets. Let them sweeten your day.
Can you tell the listeners a little bit about the response that you saw during your opening day and then some of the special guests who were there?
Oh my gosh, our opening day was so exciting. It just kind of blew me out of the water, because we did not expect to have so many for the open ceremony. We had over 500. We had the Governor Pillen came and celebrated our project. We had Jeffrey Gold, come and say a few words. The president of Kawasaki came all the way to Lincoln to help us celebrate, and they've been a great supporter of our project. The consul general of Japan from Chicago came with several others, and again, they have been following our story ever since they heard about it in 2018 and we're thrilled that Nebraska is taking the time to save an immigrant story that they don't often see in other communities.
And then just the programs that you had that day.
Yes, that day, we were able to share so many skills brought by other people. So we brought in tricho drums, and people got to experience playing tricho drums if they wanted to. We brought in two dance groups, one from Omaha and one from Denver, who gave us dance lesson. So we were able to share with these dance groups, and it was so much fun watching people. The stage was set up in a way that you could dance around the dancers. And so watching all of these dads and kids just was so thrilling for us. And then our young people's group from Omaha. Just watching the younger girls being able to do that. We even brought in a Koto player. One of the things that were donated to our museum was a Koto. And I had so many people ask me, What's a Koto sound like? And it is considered national instrument of Japan, and it's played in front of you, and we have a part of our museum that I am thrilled about, called our stories, our voices, and a part of that section is a Koto being played so someone can touch a device, and they can listen to a Koto. They can listen to a movie, a samurai movie, that was done way back when. Listen to the voices of people who grew up and have a connection to Nebraska talking about World War Two in the north Black Canteen. They could talk about so many different things, but I was just thrilled that that particular piece came together so well, and telling the soldiers stories of things that happened during the war, coming to occupy Japan, and finding out that a relative had been burned during the bombing of Hiroshima, and some of those sad things. And yet, you know, we have recovered so well from the war. Whether people realize it or not, are probably one of our number one exporters to Japan of beef, pork, eggs, agricultural products, popcorn and so much more so for the farmers in the area, they know how Important Japanese and our relationship with Japan is to continuing to help our communities thrive.
Wonderful. I really appreciate not only the Japanese Hall, but Legacy of the Plains museum how interactive the exhibits are. I am a person who learns by more than just listening but the scene. And when you can push a button, when you can flip something, pull something and see an extra exhibit those kind of things. So it's not just for kids. It's for adults too. But I love the interactive parts of the museum.
When we were designing our museum, I wanted to make sure we were of the same caliber of the legacy of the planes. And I feel like people don't know it's not just this static Museum, they have a lot like you said, interactive things that really tell the story of the region. So just not Nebraska, but the region, not only the immigrant story, but on the way up. In our case, we went all the way up to present day. But even the local museum, they have a wonderful built collection that I think is so nice, and uniforms from our soldiers, and just the history of medicine and some of the other things. And, of course, the railroads, because the railroads were so important to the Japanese and so many others.
Yeah. Definitely. Vickie, what kind of impacts do you think the new Japanese Hall has had, or will have on the community?
I feel like we have had such a great response from people and wanting to share that history. And they know, yeah, there were some bad things, but there were also good things, and so I hope that people are learning that there are people that make the right choice, there are people that are willing to share our history and not see it as something in the past, but bringing it to today and making sure that we continue to make the right decisions and continue to showcase and add to our tourism to tell this wonderful story. And we've been thrilled, because not only do we have the locals that are bringing family back to the museum, but we have people nationally and from other countries that have been so excited about what our museum brings and such a different story.
Yeah. Is there anything else that we might have missed that you want to share with the listeners today?
I always have to tell people, come to the Legacy of the Plains Museum. Come to the Scottsbluff area, because the Chimney Rock, the Scottsbluff National Monument not being that far away from Fort Robinson. We have a wonderful history in that area. And of course, when you come out, make sure you take the time to stop at Japanese Hall.
Yeah and I am excited again to share photos from my trip out to Scottsbluff County, the Japanese Hall. To get the full effect, though, people do need to make plans to visit themselves. You can't just take it in from the pictures. I can only share so much, right?
Yes.
And they can spend several hours at the legacy the plains Museum and the hall explore all the great shops in the area, the eateries, the breweries in the area. All kinds of great things. Scottsbluff county boasts major events, the Old West balloon fest. Every year. I know there's the Monument Marathon, so many great things, and the Japanese Hall and Legacy the Plains Museum, the backdrop are the bluffs.
That's exactly right. It makes such a wonderful interest. And I think people be thrilled to see it, and people are surprised. I've had so many of the jurors say they had no idea, and they have been thrilled their experience.
I would agree with that, Vickie, we always have one final question on the Growing Small Town Nebraska podcast, and you live in Kearney now, yes?
I actually live in Kearney.
Okay, but what do you love? We consider Kearney small town Nebraska too. What do you love about living in small town Nebraska?
I love the fact that my kids know their teacher, and I know their teachers, and, of course, my kids are all grown, but also just getting to know the community, and that the community is close, and that we've been able to develop things in the area that are so exciting. And I know for Kearney, put in a plug for the Yanney Park, the Botanical Gardens, and just the ponds and the experience all over Kearney, the Archway, we have so much to offer. And I find that in my travels, when I was with history Nebraska, I visited so many wonderful small towns that were doing so much to preserve their history and to share it with others. So I love small towns. They're my favorite. I think people who don't know a small town need to get to know small towns.
Perfect. Well, again, I appreciate you being on the podcast today.
Well, thank you for asking.
(music) Are you looking for a charming and vibrant community to explore? Well, look no further than Sidney Nebraska. Stop in Sidney Nebraska to recharge and refuel on your way to adventure or stay awhile and immerse yourself in small town life and enjoy the rich Wild West heritage. In Sidney, you'll have your choice of hotels, motels and campgrounds, fast food restaurants to great steaks, and unique shopping opportunities all around town while you are downtown. Don't forget to check out the Sinful Sidney Walking Tour, a self led audio tour on the travel story GPS app. For more information, visit online at visitsidneyne.com
(music) Need concrete work done? Contact Prykyer Group Next Generation Concrete. Pryker Group is your source for all things concrete, including foundations and flatwork, commercial, and industrial work. Email them at prykergroup.com. That's P-R-Y-K-E-R or visit them on their website, Facebook, or Instagram. Always make a concrete choice and choose safety. Pryker Group Next Generation Concrete...building relationships and foundations.
Thank you to Scottsbluff County tourism, Elkhorn Valley Museum, Norfolk Rotary, Norfolk Community Theatre, Gracefully Giving Back, Pierce County tourism, Norfolk Area Concert Association, Visit Sydney and Cheyenne County, Fourth Street Sweets, Visit Cuming County, Cuming County Economic Development, Stanton State Bank and Pryker Next Generation Concrete for their support of the Growing Small Town Nebraska podcast in helping our small towns grow and thrive.
Don't miss the exciting launch of the brand new Growing Nebraska & Beyond coming this Friday on the Growing Small Town Nebraska podcast, where I interview Kevin and Patrice of the RV There Yet TV series. Make sure you tune in, there's more to come.
(music) If you're interested in being a guest or a sponsor of the show, you can find out more information on the website or email me at growingsmalltownne@gmail.com. The Growing Small Town Nebraska podcast can be found on Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Amazon, Pandora, or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. Regular episodes come out the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Sheila's Shout Outs are on the first and third Tuesdays and sponsored podcasts launch on select Fridays. Join me again next time as I talk with business and community leaders who are working to revitalize the Cornhusker State. Thanks for listening!
