George W. Norris transformed Nebraska and in his four decades in Congress, he transformed the United States.  As principal proponent of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and the Rural Electrification Act (REA), Norris literally changed the lives of rural Americans by providing them affordable electricity.  A Republican most of his life, he firmly believed his duty was to act and vote led by his conscience and the best interest of his constituents, not a party line.  His idea for Nebraska's unique nonpartisan legislature was to shine light on the process of government.  

Norris was a lifelong champion of common people. He returned to this modest home in 1943, neither richer nor less humble than when he entered public life in 1902.  The house and its furnishings were donated to History Nebraska in 1968 by his wife Ellie.  A National Historic Landmark, the George W. Norris State Historic Site interprets the powerful story of an independent thinker whose legacy of change still benefits Nebraskans and Americans today.