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Hanna Rosenberg Gradwohl

In August 1937, Hanna Rosenberg, and her parents, Ludwig and Ilse, fled Sonneberg, Germany. They arrived in Lincoln, Nebraska, and settled in the home of her grandparents, Alfred and Kate Speier. Hanna acclimated to her new life in America and was active socially and academically throughout high school and at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. This collection highlights Hanna’s successes in Lincoln, as well as some of the Speier/Rosenberg household items from Germany housed at History Nebraska. Included is a Persian lamb coat that belonged to Hanna’s paternal grandmother, Hedwig Rosenberg. Hedwig and her husband, Bernhard, were murdered in the Treblinka death camp in 1942. A German neighbor had buried the coat and other treasured possessions for safekeeping and later sent them to the family in Lincoln.  Hear Hanna's story in her own words.


59 items

Rosenberg family on Passenger Manifest for S. S. "SAMARIA"

  • Date: August 20, 1937
  • Format: document

Draft Card for Ludwig Ernst Rosenberg

  • Date: October 16, 1940
  • Format: document

Hanna Rosenberg plays violin at Girl Scout Event

  • Date: December 17, 1950
  • Format: newspaper

Hanna Rosenberg Junior class photo at Lincoln High School

  • Date: 1952
  • Format: newspaper

Hanna Rosenberg in Orpheons music club

  • Date: 1952
  • Format: newspaper

Hanna Rosenberg — member of the University Orchestra

  • Date: November 10, 1953
  • Format: newspaper

Hanna Rosenberg in National Honor Society at Lincoln High School

  • Date: 1953
  • Format: newspaper

Hanna Rosenberg's Senior Class Picture

  • Date: 1953
  • Format: newspaper

Hanna Rosenberg Appointed to YWCA Cabinet

  • Date: February 9, 1955
  • Format: newspaper

Hanna Rosenberg on BABW Board

  • Date: March 8, 1955
  • Format: newspaper

Hanna Rosenberg recognized for high scholarship

  • Date: April 20, 1955
  • Format: newspaper

Hanna Rosenberg chosen for NU Symphony orchestra

  • Date: October 11,1955
  • Format: newspaper

Hanna Rosenberg is homecoming queen candidate

  • Date: October 11, 1955
  • Format: newspaper

Hanna Rosenberg among finalist for Ideal NU Coed

  • Date: February 8, 1956
  • Format: newspaper

Hanna Rosenbergs competes for Ideal Nebraska Coed Title

  • Date: February 11, 1956
  • Format: newspaper

Hanna Rosenberg recognized as Honor Student

  • Date: April 17, 1956
  • Format: newspaper

Hanna Rosenberg elected vice-president of Barb Activities Board for Women

  • Date: April 20, 1956
  • Format: newspaper

Womens' Organizations Recognize Scholars

  • Date: May 8, 1956
  • Format: newspaper

Engagement announcement of Hanna Rosenberg to Dave Gradwohl

  • Date: October 9, 1956
  • Format: newspaper

Hanna Rosenberg joins Delta Phi Alpha, National German honorary

  • Date: May 22, 1957
  • Format: newspaper

Hanna Rosenberg wedding announcement

  • Date: December 27, 1957
  • Format: newspaper

Obituary for Ludwig Ernst Rosenberg

  • Date: April 13, 1961
  • Format: newspaper

Obituary for Ilse Speier Rosenberg

  • Date: November 29, 2003
  • Format: newspaper

Rosenberg and Speier families set Stolpersteine

  • Date: November 9, 2016
  • Creator(s): van de Kamp-Wright, Annette
  • Format: newspaper

How a coat once buried in a German backyard made it to Nebraska

  • Date: 2016
  • Creator(s): Koeppe, Tina | Kinley, Kylie
  • Format: digitalpub

Serendipity and a Coat: Why Museums Matter

  • Date: November 8, 2018
  • Creator(s): Gradwohl, Hanna Rosenberg | Gradwohl, David | Kenny, Mady | Strope, John
  • Format: video

Hanna Rosenberg Gradwohl and John Rosenberg with Coat

  • Format: photograph
  • Source: History Nebraska

Hedwig Rosenberg's Persian Lamb Coat

  • Format: photograph
  • Source: History Nebraska

Suitcase

  • Format: object
  • Source: History Nebraska, Rosenberg Speier Collection, 11588-221

Suitcase

  • Format: object
  • Source: History Nebraska, Rosenberg Speier Collection, 11588-222

Pitcher

  • Format: object
  • Source: History Nebraska, Rosenberg Speier Collection, 11588-12

Pitcher

  • Format: object
  • Source: History Nebraska, Rosenberg Speier Collection, 11588-12

Pitcher

  • Format: object
  • Source: History Nebraska, Rosenberg Speier Collection, 11588-13

Trunk

  • Format: object
  • Source: History Nebraska, Rosenberg Speier Collection, 11588-223-(1)

Sock

  • Format: object
  • Source: History Nebraska, Rosenberg Speier Collection, 11588-254-(1-2)

Muffler

  • Format: object
  • Source: History Nebraska, Rosenberg Speier Collection, 11588-227

Cap, Stocking

  • Format: object
  • Source: History Nebraska, Rosenberg Speier Collection, 11588-226

Bag

  • Format: object
  • Source: History Nebraska, Rosenberg Speier Collection, 11588-93

Tablecloth

  • Format: object
  • Source: History Nebraska, Rosenberg Speier Collection, 11588-57

Tablecloth

  • Format: object
  • Source: History Nebraska, Rosenberg Speier Collection, 11588-21

Towel

  • Format: object
  • Source: History Nebraska, Rosenberg Speier Collection, 11588-19

Stockpot

  • Format: object
  • Source: History Nebraska, Rosenberg Speier Collection, 11588-1

Prayer Book

  • Format: object
  • Source: History Nebraska, Rosenberg Speier Collection, 11588-192-(1)

Prayer Book

  • Format: object
  • Source: History Nebraska, Rosenberg Speier Collection, 11588-192-(1)

Purse

  • Format: object
  • Source: History Nebraska, Rosenberg Speier Collection, 11588-219-(1)

Box

  • Format: object
  • Source: History Nebraska, Rosenberg Speier Collection, 11588-162(1-2)

Box

  • Format: object
  • Source: History Nebraska, Rosenberg Speier Collection, 11588-162(1-2)

Ribbon, Textile

  • Format: object
  • Source: History Nebraska, Rosenberg Speier Collection, 11588-169

Container, Writing Equipment

  • Format: object
  • Source: History Nebraska, Rosenberg Speier Collection, 11588-213

Slipper

  • Format: object
  • Source: History Nebraska, Rosenberg Speier Collection, 11588-150-(1-2)
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