National Willa Cather Center News

Since 1987, the Willa Cather Foundation has awarded 29 scholarships totaling more than $ 140,000 through the Norma Ross Walter Scholarship program. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Foundation's effort to provide scholarship support to female Nebraska high school graduates who continue their higher education as English majors in accredited colleges or universities.

Willa Cather Foundation Celebrates 25th Anniversary of the Norma Ross Walter Scholarship Program

Red Cloud, Nebraska, March 30, 2011 — Since 1987, the Willa Cather Foundation has awarded 29 scholarships totaling more than $140,000 through the Norma Ross Walter Scholarship program. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Foundation’s effort to provide scholarship support to female Nebraska high school graduates who continue their higher education as English majors in accredited colleges or universities.

“Social Networking 1890: Nebraska Opera Houses in their Heyday”

Cather Inducted into the New York State Writers Hall of Fame

On Friday, April 1, 2011 the Empire State Center for the Book will induct nine authors into the New York State Writers Hall of Fame. Willa Cather is among this prestigious group of seven deceased and two living authors whose writings have made a lasting contribution to literature. A member of the Willa Cather Foundation Board of Governors, along with a representative of the Cather family will be present to accept the honor on behalf of Ms. Cather.

The 56th Annual Willa Cather Spring Conference Coming April 29-30

Red Cloud, Nebraska, March 1, 2011 — The 2011 Willa Cather Spring Conference “Willa Cather and Her Popular Culture” will be held in Red Cloud, Nebraska April 29-30. This year's conference explores and celebrates a theme that has not been often considered by Cather's readers: her relationship to the popular culture of her day. From her enjoyment of popular music, movies, and books, to her writings about actresses and opera stars, Cather regularly engaged with the trendy, the famous, and the celebrated.

On Friday, April 1, 2011 the Empire State Center for the Book inducted nine authors into the New York State Writers Hall of Fame. Willa Cather was among this prestigious group of seven deceased and two living authors whose writings have made a lasting contribution to literature.

In May 1916, Willa Cather wrote to her friend Mabel Dodge Luhan that she just had the luck of sharing a train with a very well-known actor. When the train stopped in Albuquerque, she even got to meet him. It was Rin-Tin-Tin, the movie star dog, and Cather wrote that she had never been more excited to meet a celebrity.

Willa Cather Foundation Board of Governors Installs New Officers

Red Cloud, Nebraska, January 19, 2011 — The Willa Cather Foundation’s 29-member Board of Governors has elected new officers to continue the preservation and promotion of the life, times, settings, and work of Willa Cather.

Two longtime contributors to the Foundation recently joined forces to issue a challenge to Willa Cather devotees.

The Willa Cather: Preserving our Past, Pioneering our Future Campaign will provide resources critical to preserving the Cather archives and expanding familiarity with the author among Nebraska's school children.

Frozen plum pudding, anyone? Perhaps a French onion soup in which "there are nearly a thousand years of history"? Or some Swedish heirloom cookies? These and countless other tantalizing edibles can be found in the brand new cookbook from the Willa Cather Foundation, available here.