John G. Neihardt State Historic Site

The John G. Neihardt State Historic Site, also known as the Neihardt Center, pays homage to the visionary poet, chronicling his life and works in a museum on the property where he once lived. The center in Bancroft, Nebraska, is a haven for scholars and fans of his poetry, prose and essays. Hear the words of the poet in his own voice on videotape. Stroll through the Sioux Sacred Hoop Prayer Garden on the grounds, and envision Neihardt working in the restored one-room house nearby that served as his study. Neihardt, the poet laureate of Nebraska, devoted much of his spiritual and mystical prose to the heritage of Native Americans, pioneers and the Great Plains. The enduring friendship between the poet and Black Elk, one of the last holy men of the Lakota Sioux, is evident throughout the museum, which displays some sacred gifts given to Neihardt by the religious elder.