Draft:Edith Neale

Edith Louise Neale was born on January 12, 1891, in rural Fort Calhoun, Nebraska to David Neale and Alice Mary Brain Neale.^[2] Her father, David, was born on January 2, 1883 (or 1834) in Bredon, Worcestershire, England. He immigrated to the United States in 1853 or early 1854 and settled in Nebraska in 1856,^[3] where he built a cabin.^[1] He and his brothers, George and Stephen, purchased more than 300 acres in southern Washington County. After Stephen's death in a logging accident, David settled permanently on the land and married Alice Brain in 1879. He worked variously as an Indian agent, stagecoach driver, and freighter before turning to farming.^[4] David Neale died in 1916.^[5]

The land homesteaded by David Neale in 1858 remained in the family for more than a century and later became the core of Neale Woods.^[6]

Edith Neale graduated from Central High School in Omaha in 1910, commuting to classes by train. She earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska in 1914 and later completed graduate studies at the University of Chicago.^[7] In 1926 she attended a summer course at Oxford University, studying English literature and history as part of a group of Central High School teachers, followed by a European tour.^[8]

Neale taught English in Midwestern high schools for seven years and then at private junior colleges for another seven years. After leaving teaching, she dedicated herself to historical research and writing, producing numerous articles on Washington County history.^[7]

In 1938, Neale helped organize the Washington County Historical Museum and became its first curator when it opened. She later served as director and continued arranging exhibits for decades. In 1962, she was appointed secretary of the Fort Atkinson Foundation, contributing to early fundraising efforts to purchase and preserve the fort site.^[1]

Neale joined the Omaha Walking Club in 1923. That same year she traveled with club members to South Dakota and continued on to Glacier National Park with her two sisters and two other members.^[9]

In March 1934, Neale led the club on an all-day outing to the Fort Calhoun area. Members traveled by bus from Omaha, then hiked past the site of Fort Atkinson and across surrounding terrain noted for its historical significance.^[10]

Known for her stamina, she continued hiking well into her 70s and 80s, often outpacing much younger walkers. In her later years she enjoyed hiking in Neale Woods.^[1]

In 1971, Neale donated the first 120-acre tract of what would become Neale Woods to the Fontenelle Forest Association. The land, part of her family's original homestead, was designated to remain in its natural state for hiking and school programs. At the press conference announcing the gift, Neale led reporters and board members on a vigorous hike across the property^[11].

In 1980, she was named the first director emeritus of Fontenelle Forest.^[12]

Edith Neale died on May 21, 1980.^[13] She was survived by nieces, nephews, and a sister-in-law. Her legacy endures through Neale Woods, her extensive contributions to the preservation of Nebraska's history, and the Edith Neale Gallery at the Washington County Museum.^[14]