PETITION TO: The Nebraska State Historical Society, Lincoln, Nebraska

RE: Preservation of Nebraska's Historic and Internationally Recognized Bale Buildings

We, the undersigned, respectfully request that the Nebraska State Historical Society formally recognize the significance of the contributions made by pioneers in Nebraska's Sandhills and other parts of Nebraska in developing bale building techniques and methods.

The building methods and techniques used by Sandhills pioneers from the late 1880s through the 1940s in Gordon, Alliance, Hyannis, Arthur and an estimated 75 to 80 other places in western Nebraska, and other Nebraska builders including those at Gothenburg (Harry Hiles and his round airplane hangars built of bales, steel and concrete) and the restaurant built in Emerald in the late 1940s have been researched and studied, photographed and publicized, and are known worldwide as some of the best historic examples of bale building in the world.

Through the efforts of many modern-day pioneers residing in Nebraska and throughout the world, spearheaded by the participants of the 1st Nebraska Straw Bale Conference held in Arthur, Nebraska, September 1993, this building method is known as Nebraska style (loadbearing) bale walls and has been modified for use in post-and-beam structures as well.

We endorse the efforts of individuals and groups in reviving this building material and method throughout the state and beyond. We encourage and request that the Nebraska State Historical Society support these efforts and assist individuals and members of the groups in preserving and protecting the historic bale buildings still in existence in the state of Nebraska.

Please attach pages as needed for additional signatures.
Mail the petition to SBAN, 2110 South 33rd Street, Lincoln NE 68506-6001.
Donations to this effort may be made payable to SBAN and mailed to the above address.
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I Support Strawbale Heritage Preservation!

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