Wilber, the Czech Capitol of Nebraska and the United States is located on the intersection of Highways 41 and 103 in Southeast Nebraska. Only 40 minutes from Lincoln, NE (the State Capitol) and about 90 minutes from Omaha, our largest city.

 Wilber was named for C.D. Wilber of Illinois, who gave the land to build a city.

 Wilber was officially platted on March 10, 1873. Twelve Czech settlers came to Saline County in 1865. Saline County had the largest Czech rural colony in Nebraska and contained 1/5 of all the Czechs in the United States.

 The Homestead Act and building of the railroads brought the Czechs to Wilber. They left their homeland for religious freedom, free land and to escape the wars. The land along the Blue River looked like their homeland, rolling hills, fertile soil and the Turkey Creek to the west.

 Dugouts and sod houses were their homes as this was prairie land, no lumber or nails. The pioneers broke sod, planted gardens and crops, suffered epidemics, grasshoppers, hot weather and blizzards.

 Despite all of this they survived, built a town and prospered. They came by thousands, our Czech pioneers, looking for freedom and bread, and brought to this New World not only a love for mother tongue, but many aspects of the Czech Folklore. It warmed their hearts in this new homeland and made them feel so much closer to the Old Country. Because of them, those parts of our Czech folklore have been preserved here to present time, especially the love for our songs, music, dances, drama and art.

 But now it is our national duty with strong will and work to revive this precious heritage and save it for the future in private life and public performances.

 Professor Wilber built the first dwelling in the town and in 1872 built the first hotel called the Wilber House which later burned down. Wilber never had a boom, but rather a steady growth.

 From a population of 710 in 1880, it jumped with acquisition of the Court House, by election to 1,226 in 1890 and since then the population is about 1600.

A nice business district, grain store, lumber yard and mill were built. Lodges were organized, the first Sokol Hall was built in 1880, and the Opera House was built. Czech polka bands, orchestras and a military band met often to practice and play.

 Social activities were Bohemian Plays, dances, masquerade balls, banquets, concerts at the halls, which also had bars to serve the thirst.

 School and home socials had spelling bees, programs, quilting and feather stripping parties, birthday and wedding celebrations.

 The Wilber Bohemian Cemetary was started in 1874. Early members paid $4.75 to buy lots.

 Saline State Bank was founded in 1878 and is the oldest bank in Saline County.
 

 The emblem or seal consists of a plow and a sheaf of wheat, representative of the strength and fortitude of the early Czech pioneers and their ethnic neighbors, who turned this praire land into a fruitful civilization, dependent mainly on agriculture for existence.

 Some of the objectives of the organization were to preserve the culture, music, foods, customs, costumes and heritage by holding a festival, program or some activity. Gather artifacts and develop a museum. Gather recipes of our mothers into books and teach future generations their heritage.

 Wilber meets these objectives by hosting an annual Czech Festival the first full weekend in August, and will have 30,000 to 40,000 visitors.
 

 Saturday dawns bright and clear. The merchants have decorated their windows and the streets are decorated. There are food and craft booths on the streets. The museum and shops have souvenirs to sell, the churches are serving duck, pork, Polish sausage with dumpling and kraut, desserts and drinks. Kolaches are everywhere, with meals, at the Bakery and in booths.

 For entertainment--a Duck and Dumpling Run, demonstrations, quilt and art shows, dancing, National Czech-Slovak Queen Pageant and honoring the King Charles.

 The flag raising is held both days at 1:00 p.m. and then a huge parade is held at 2:00 p.m. on both days.

 Sunday begins with a community worship service at 8:15 at the Outdoor Theater and the Catholic Church has Mass at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. and also serves breakfast.

 After church, there is the travelogue, Genealogical Society, Art and Quilt Shows, dancers, food, accordians, demonstrations, Czech mass chorus, kids tractor pull, Alumni Band Concert, Miss Czech-Slovak U.S.A. Pageant and drawing for cash prizes.

 Campers are welcome, some facilities are available.