KEARNEY, Neb. — History isn’t exclusively contained in books and stories.

Sometimes, it can take a living form. Like this centuries-old strain of Pawnee corn cultivated by Ronnie O’Brien.

This blue flour corn crop is one of more than 20 varieties of Pawnee corn grown by volunteers in Nebraska, the tribe’s ancestral homeland. The full statewide harvest of Pawnee corn grown will be on display as part of a special event at Fort Kearny on Saturday.

“They will all be bringing their harvest that morning and we will make a big exhibit for it," O'Brien said. "So all of the corn that was grown this year in Nebraska will be on exhibit, and that’s the first time it will be exhibit in that large of a fashion.”

The exhibit is part of a day-long event to recognize the Pawnee’s historical influence in the region. O’Brien teamed up with Broc Anderson with the Buffalo County Historical Society to link it with the ongoing celebration of 150 years of the city of Kearney. 

About 100 Pawnee are coming from Oklahoma to participate.

“Being able to have them come back to Nebraska, to be a part of their homeland and share their history with us locally, is going to add a whole different perspective on what we are here in Central Nebraska,” Anderson said.

Pawnee Nation Head Chief Pat Leading Fox will speak about his ancestor, a Pawnee Scout who served at Fort Kearny, at 9:00 at the Trails and Rails Museum.

“What a great history that’s not told as often as it should be," Anderson said. "With the sesquicentennial year, we have an opportunity to share that history and bring that more to light.”

The Saturday schedule at Fort Kearny includes a living history program from 9:00-12:00, Pawnee drums, dances and skits from 1:00-3:00 followed by a chance to interact with the Pawnee until 5:00.

After spending 20 years building a connection with the tribe, O’Brien is elated to welcome its members back.

“They’re coming back to honor their ancestors," O'Brien said. "They’re excited to be here and to build a relationship and to continue building that relationship with the Kearney area because Fort Kearny is so important to them.”