On February 12, 1900, Lincoln's first municipal auditorium, though owned by Lancaster County and operated by the local chapter of the American Legion, opened.

[1] Pershing's exterior was highlighted by a large ceramic tile mural, designed by artists Leonard Thiessen and Bill J. Hammon.

ft.; 494.2 m2) and consisting of 763,000 1-sq.-inch pieces, it was the largest ceramic tile mural in the United States at the time of its construction.

It has hosted the national roller-skating championships 28 times, beginning in 1962 though the final 2014 meet, called Last Lap at Pershing.

The Grateful Dead's performance, on February 26, 1973, was recorded and makes up half of their live album, entitled Dick's Picks Volume 28.

[6] A subsidy to cover a budget shortfall of $150,000 was passed by the Lincoln City Council because the situation was so dire, only "10 months into the fiscal year.

An RfP was sent out by the City of Lincoln in 2014 looking for reuse plans for the Pershing Center, but none of the proposals were acceptable due to cost.

[14][15] Members of the community also voiced their desire to save the large, iconic mural on the auditorium's exterior.