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Photographer Sartore seeks new life for Lincoln's second-oldest home

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A Lee Enterprises, Incorporated newspaper. Majority shareholder: David Hoffmann, Hoffmann Media Group.

Alert Top Story Topical

Photographer Sartore seeks new life for Lincoln's second-oldest home

• Peter Breen | Lincoln Journal Star
• Nov 22, 2025
• Nov 22, 2025
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National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore has been working on a portrait series called the Photo Ark for about 20 years to inspire people to care about at-risk animal species.

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Sartore

Ellen Sartore, courtesy photo

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National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore bought the historic Lewis-Syford House on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's City Campus in 2013 so his children could live there while they went to college. Sartore now wants the home rezoned so it can be used as an office with his youngest child set to graduate in May.

ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star

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A bookshelf and chairs sit in a parlor room in the Lewis-Syford House on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's City Campus. National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore, who bought the home in 2013, wants it rezoned so it can be used as an office.

ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star

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Joel Sartore (left) and his son, Cole, work on renovations on Lewis-Syford House on Aug. 13, 2013. 

Journal Star file photo

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Spencer Sartore has lived in the Lewis-Syford House during his time studying at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Sartore's father, Joel Sartore, wants the home rezoned so an office can move in when Spencer graduates in May.

ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star

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The dining room in the Lewis-Syford House. The historic home on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln City Campus features a mix of old and new amenities. 

ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star

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Photos: Step inside the historic Lewis-Syford House

A plaque for the Helen Boosalis Award hangs on the wall on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at the Lewis Syford House on the UNL campus in Lincoln. The Sartores hope to convert the historic house into an office pending the necessary rezoning.

ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star

A shed behinds the house stands on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at the Lewis Syford House on the UNL campus in Lincoln. The Sartores hope to convert the historic house into an office pending the necessary rezoning.

ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star

A zoning sign stands on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at the Lewis Syford House on the UNL campus in Lincoln. The Sartores hope to convert the historic house into an office pending the necessary rezoning.

ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star

Spencer Sartore stands in the basement near a table of house restoration supplies on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, during a tour of the Lewis Syford House on the UNL campus in Lincoln. Spencer shares the house with several other UNL students as roommates. The Sartores hope to convert the historic house into an office pending the necessary rezoning.

ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star

A bookshelf and chairs sit in a parlor room in the Lewis-Syford House on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's City Campus. National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore, who bought the home in 2013, wants it rezoned so it can be used as an office.

ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star

The dining room in the Lewis-Syford House. The historic home on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln City Campus features a mix of old and new amenities. 

ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star

A photograph of Teddy Roosevelt hangs on the wall on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, between rooms in the Lewis Syford House on the UNL campus in Lincoln. The Sartores hope to convert the historic house into an office pending the necessary rezoning.

ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star

National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore bought the historic Lewis-Syford House on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's City Campus in 2013 so his children could live there while they went to college. Sartore now wants the home rezoned so it can be used as an office with his youngest child set to graduate in May.

ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star

A door knob seen on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at the Lewis Syford House on the UNL campus in Lincoln. The Sartores hope to convert the historic house into an office pending the necessary rezoning.

ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star

Spencer Sartore has lived in the Lewis-Syford House during his time studying at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Sartore's father, Joel Sartore, wants the home rezoned so an office can move in when Spencer graduates in May.

ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star

Spencer Sartore casts a shadow on a basement wall on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, during a tour of the Lewis Syford House on the UNL campus in Lincoln. Spencer shares the house with several other UNL students as roommates. The Sartores hope to convert the historic house into an office pending the necessary rezoning.

ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star

Modern decor hangs on a closet door in the bedroom of Spencer Sartore on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at the Lewis Syford House on the UNL campus in Lincoln. Spencer shares the house with several other UNL students as roommates. The Sartores hope to convert the historic house into an office pending the necessary rezoning.

ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star

A historical sign stands on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at the Lewis Syford House on the UNL campus in Lincoln. The Sartores hope to convert the historic house into an office pending the necessary rezoning.

ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star

Reach the reporter at pbreen@journalstar.com or 216-287-8623.

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National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore bought the historic Lewis-Syford House on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's City Campus in 2013 so his children could live there while they went to college. Sartore now wants the home rezoned so it can be used as an office with his youngest child set to graduate in May.

• ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star

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Spencer Sartore has lived in the Lewis-Syford House during his time studying at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Sartore's father, Joel Sartore, wants the home rezoned so an office can move in when Spencer graduates in May.

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Joel Sartore (left) and his son, Cole, work on renovations on Lewis-Syford House on Aug. 13, 2013. 

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A bookshelf and chairs sit in a parlor room in the Lewis-Syford House on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's City Campus. National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore, who bought the home in 2013, wants it rezoned so it can be used as an office.

• ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star

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The dining room in the Lewis-Syford House. The historic home on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln City Campus features a mix of old and new amenities. 

• ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star

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Sartore

• Ellen Sartore, courtesy photo

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