Browse Exhibits (2 total)

Charles E. Bessey: The Man Behind the Building

This exhibit explains who the man behind the well known Bessey Hall was. It goes into great detail about the life of Charles E. Bessey, and it specifically focuses on his work at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. As well as informing the observer about Bessey himself, this exhibit also explores the origins of the famous Bessey Hall.

1887, 1915, Bessey Hall, Bessey Medal, Bessey Professorship, Botany, Charles Bessey, Hatch Act, Plant Phyla, Raymond Pool, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

1869-1889: The Beginnings

The beginning of the University was a turbulent time, with plenty of criticism from the community, and a constant fight to prove its own worth. The school grew in many ways in the first twenty years, and made changes that ultimately started the transformation into what we see today. The Morrill act set the stage, giving Lincoln the land to build their own college. It started out small with only twenty students taking college courses; choosing from three course paths. As the years progressed, new chancellors brought new ideas, and the University evolved. Eventually the position of the community shifted from hostile to accepting as the University of Nebraska set the foundation for years to come.

Allen Benton, Benton, Bessey, Charles Bessey, Edmond Fairfield, Fairfield, grave robbers, grave robbing, Harry K Wolfe, Hatch Act, Henry Hitchcock, Hitchcock, James Irving Manatt, Literary Societies, Literary Society, Manatt, medical college, Morrill, Morrill Act, public baths, suffrage, Trio of Sampsons, university criticism, University Hall, Wolfe, women's suffrage