By John Schleicher
The archives hold historic resources in all areas of the health professions, including pharmacy. These include various periodical materials such as pharmacists’ scientific and trade publications, from national, regional, state and local publishers and organizations.
The Omaha Druggist: a Monthly Journal of Pharmacy (see image), was published in the city from 1888-1927. The Nebraska collection holds issues from 1900-1927. This journal contains advertisements for various sideline products, such as candy, cigars, hair tonic and snuff, which might be featured in the traditional drug store setting. The publication also has news of the profession across Nebraska and the upper Midwest region, including drug stores for sale, and a section of news about individual pharmacists called “Personal Mention.”
Other titles in the library’s collection include: Nebraska Mortar & Pestle (from the Nebraska Pharmacists’ Association, still in publication, issues from 1938-2015) and the Midwestern Druggist (issues from 1925-1972), among others.
To visit the archives and the Nebraska collection, contact the Special Collections Department at 402-559-7094 to schedule an appointment or inquire at the AskUs desk on the 6th floor of Wittson Hall.
My great-grandfather, William Vandenberg was an early licensed “pharmacist” in Nebraska. I have a copy of his license #52 dated May 10, 1887. He worked in David City, Ne. If you would like a copy (not of the original – but a copy of a copy), you may contact me at my e-mail address