Welcome. Experience a simpler time and place through the writings and memories of Bess Streeter Aldrich.
Bess Streeter Aldrich was one of Nebraska's finest writers. She recreated in her short stories and novels the ups and downs of small town living in hopes that her readers would understand the hardships and struggles of the times, but also see the virtues and hopes that became a part of these prairie times in the Midwest.
2022 Schedule of Events and Exhibits
January Closed - Tours by Appointment
Feb. to April Children’s Literature Exhibit
Feb. 18 Tea/Tour
Mar. 18 Tea/Tour
April 15 Short Story Contest Deadline
April 22 Victorian Tea/Dressing a Victorian Lady
April 30 Plant Exchange
May to July Letters & Stories From the Elms Exhibit
June 12 Summer Awards Program Diaries and Letters of Early Nebr. Settlers By Lucy Adkins & Marge Saiser Humanities Nebraska
June 13-17 Aldrich Writing Camp
Aug. to Nov. Stitch in Time Quilt Show
Nov. 26-Dec. 31 Journey Into Christmas
Additional Speakers and Educational Workshop Dates to Be Determined
Featured Events, Exhibits and Activities
Bess Streeter Aldrich House - The Elms
Celebrating 100 Years, 1922 - 2022
Reasons to Visit in 2022
• Free Tours for Short Story Participants
• “Letters from the Elms,” Commemorative Book
• Free Bookmarks for All Visitors
• Special Summer Exhibit Honoring Mrs. Aldrich
• A Lantern in Her Hand Unit of Study; Free Field Trips
• Quilt Raffle
• Monthly Book Sales
A Novel Unit for Teaching
“A Lantern In Her Hand “ by Bess Streeter Aldrich
On behalf of the Bess Streeter Aldrich Foundation, we welcome you as a potential user of the Novel Unit of Study for A Lantern in Her Hand, the classic story of a Nebraska pioneer woman. With assistance of grant funding from the Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation and the Syracuse Library Foundation, we have brought together six professionals to develop this resource for teachers in public, private, and home schools.
First and foremost, the materials are FREE. If you'd like to use them, simply Contact the Director about your interest.
Short Story Contest
To honor Nebraska author Bess Streeter Aldrich and recognize outstanding writing, the Bess Streeter Aldrich Foundation announces its 2022 Short Story Contest.
Also, in honor of the 100th birthday of the Aldrich House, anyone who enters the contest is eligible for a free tour anytime before December 31, 2022. A master list of participants will be maintained at the registration desk. Simply tell the guide you were a short story participant.
Bess Streeter Aldrich Home Exhibits
The staff and supporters of the Bess Streeter Aldrich Foundation enjoy assembling featured exhibits several times throughout the year in order to provide a new experience every time you visit.
Click below to learn about upcoming, current and view a gallery of images from past exhibits.
All That Glitters Exhibit 2017
Bess Streeter Aldrich Scrapbooking Project
Help Us Tell the Story
We have a tremendous opportunity to display images. video and other memories on our improved website. Think of it as a giant scrapbook where we can collect and display our memories of Bess Streeter Aldrich, the time period and location and settings of her works, memories of the Home, exhibits and events that have taken place as well as the memories to come.
Contact
Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Kurk Shrader, Executive Director
aldrichfoundation@gmail.com
Phone
(402) 867-4233