History Nebraska welcomes Cindy Drake as new interim Executive Director

Lincoln, NE - 07/26/2024 - History Nebraska, Nebraska's state agency tasked with collecting, preserving and sharing the state's history, is pleased to announce the appointment of Cindy Drake as interim Executive Director, effective July 25, 2024. Governor Jim Pillen selected Drake to lead the agency until a permanent director is appointed at a later date. History Nebraska was designated a code agency following the passage of LB1169 earlier this year, giving the governor the authority to appoint the director of the agency.

Cindy Drake, a fourth generation Nebraskan, brings over four decades of experience to the History Nebraska director role. Cindy began her career with the Nebraska State Historical Society in 1977, where she was Librarian of the Nebraska History Library until March 2023.

“I look forward to the opportunity of being a crusader for Nebraska’s history,” said Drake. “Moving forward, the public servants of History Nebraska will focus on delivering the state’s history with an excellent return-on-investment of taxpayers’ hard earned dollars.”

With deep connections to historical organizations across the state, Cindy values the diverse cultural landscape of Nebraska, and strives to connect Nebraska’s people with its heritage, history and unique places. Cindy has been involved with organizations such as the Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation, Nebraska Museums Association, Nebraska State Genealogical Society, Cass County Historical Society, and most recently the Elmwood Cultural Arts and Learning Center.

Cindy has lived her entire life on two farms outside of Avoca that have been in her family for over 125 years. She attended a traditional country school before graduating from Syracuse Public School and Nebraska Wesleyan University. Cindy, along with her husband Kirby and son Quentin, enjoy their rural home in Cass County, as well as spending time at the Drake Family Cabin in Keya Paha County.