Homestead National Monument of America (U.S. National Park Service)

QUICKLINKS:

FREE LAND was the cry!!

The cry was FREE LAND! The Homestead Act of 1862 was one of the most significant and enduring events in the westward expansion of the United States. By granting free land it allowed nearly any man or woman a chance to live the American dream of owning their own land. Visit this fee free Unit in the National Park System to gain an understanding of the impact of the Homestead Act. More...

Heritage Center

The uniquely designed Heritage Center which has received several awards was dedicated on May 20, 2007. It brings the epic homestead story to life for visitors of all ages and demonstrates the true scope and importance of the Homestead Act of 1862. The vista from the main balcony provides visitors with a view of the tallgrass prairie much like early pioneers would have seen from the hilltop. Go here for information about tallgrass transplant at the Heritage Center.

Summer Hours and Programs

Daily 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Outdoor trails will be open from dawn to dusk. The Freeman School, a historic one room school house, is open daily from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and will also be available to view by visitor request.

Homestead National Monument of America is a NO FEE park. Admission, parking and special events are all free of charge.

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The Friends of Homestead National Monument of America are sponsoring a new program for co-ed young adults 17-21 years old called Venture Crew #82. If you want to get involved, click here for more information.

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On Flag Day, June 14, 2009 Homestead National Monument of America hosted a Naturalization Ceremony. Fourteen people from 11 countries became U.S. citizens. Click here to learn more.

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The 2009 Monumental Fiddling Championship was a great success! Click here for a listing of the winners.
*Championship Highlights Video

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First ever Artist-in-Residence Program at Homestead National Monument of America! Homestead National Monument of America welcomes artists to share their inspiration and talent with visitors this year, to live and work at the monument, and to interpret the park's natural and cultural resources through their unique creative vision. more.

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Joel Sartore photography exhibit on display at the Homestead Education Center. more.

New Exhibits Installed more.

Interpretive Film Land of Dreams more.

Homestead Records: Broken Bow Land Office

2009 Spring Prescribed Fire at Homestead.
Watch slideshow [wmv file, 4.32MB]

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Featured Event: Land Records and Genealogy Symposium

Southeast Community College, Homestead National Monument of America Partner to Host July 2009 Land Records and Genealogy Symposium

Southeast Community College and Homestead National Monument of America will once again partner to host the Land Records and Genealogy Symposium on Friday and Saturday, July 10-11, 2009. This will be the fifth such collaboration between the two organizations. The symposium will take place at Southeast Community College’s Continuing Education Center located at 301 South 68th Street Place in Lincoln, Nebraska. This event is intended for anyone interested in homesteading history, land records, and genealogical research. press release.

Symposium Brochure and Registration Form (PDF)

Link to SCC events

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July 2009 Campfire Programs at Homestead National Monument of America
Homestead National Monument of America will be hosting Campfire Programs in July. Topics for the programs range from "A Musical Journey Across America: Songs that Helped Shape a Nation" and "Bess Streeter Aldrich: Living History" to "Old Time Songs, Hymns, and Fun Tunes and History of the Mountain Dulcimer". The programs begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Monument’s Education Center and will last approximately one hour. more.

Click here for this summer's campfire program schedule. ______________________________________

Saturdays from July 4-August 8, 2009
Kids In Parks Summer Programs Announced at Homestead
The Kids in Parks program series at Homestead National Monument of America is back for its second season of summer fun! Join Park Rangers on Saturdays, July 4 through August 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the monument’s Education Center for fun, educational, outdoor programs. Each free program helps children and their families explore and experience nature first hand. more.

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July 4, 2009
Celebrate Independence Day at Homestead National Monument of America
Homestead National Monument of America kicks off the 2009 Campfire Program series with a bang of its own Saturday, July 4th. We are proud to celebrate the birth of our Nation with the musical talent of Chris Sayre and the acting talent of Thomas King. more.

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July 28, 2009
Distance Learning Symposium
Homestead National Monument of America and its partner Educational Service Unit #5 invite National Park Service personnel to a distance learning symposium. This symposium will cover topics such as how to purchase distance learning technology, how to use distance learning technology and best practices for using distance learning technology. Click here for complete course description and registration form. Interested participants should submit their registration form no later than July 1, 2009. For further information contact Tina Miller, Education Coordinator, Homestead National Monument of America, at (402) 223-3514.

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National Parks Offer Fee-Free Weekends The National Park Service is offering three fee-free weekends this summer to encourage Americans seeking affordable vacations to visit their 391 national parks. Click here for more information.

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ABRAHAM LINCOLN BICENTENNIAL EVENTS

Lincoln Listening Sessions:
Listen to the letters, speeches and other excerpts from our nation's 16th President as read by the current Nebraska congressional delegation. more.

What was President Abraham Lincoln's greatest legacy? more.

Click on the link below for more information about Abraham Lincoln and Bicentennial events throughout the National Park Service.
http://www.nps.gov/pub_aff/lincoln200/index.html

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Special events are held throughout the year. They are a great way to learn about our history.

Homesteading Chrisman Sisters, S. Butcher Collection

Are You a Homesteader or Descendant?

The Homestead Act of 1862 transferred more than 270 million acres of land from Federal to private ownership. We are seeking your help in locating people who filed claims under the Homestead Act. The goal is to locate and record the experiences of remaining homesteaders before the opportunity is lost. Oral histories will be taken under direction of the University of Nebraska and Grand Valley State University, Michigan. Homestead National Monument of America is developing a database of homesteaders and descendants. If you are a homesteader or a descendant, please help us by sending your name, address, telephone number and e-mail to:

Friends of Homestead
Homestead National Monument of America
8523 W. State Highway 4
Beatrice NE 68310

Homestead Congress is a Friends of Homestead National Monument of America program dedicated to communicating with those persons interested in learning more about the mission of Homestead National Monument of America and the effect it had on the growth of this nation. To meet its communication goal, Homestead Congress maintains a blog site.

Write to

Superintendent
8523 W. State Hwy. 4
Beatrice, NE 68310

E-mail Us

Phone

Visitor Information
(402) 223-3514

Park Headquarters
(402) 223-3514

Fax

(402) 228-4231

Climate

Weather varies greatly. Please look at www.weather.com for predictions. Use the zip code 68310 for the locality. Summers can be warm and humid with occasional thunderstorms. Temperatures may range from 75-105 with lows in the 50s. Winters can vary between mild and very cold with rain, ice/sleet, snow and blizzard conditions. Spring and Fall are moderate.

Park Regulations:

Alcohol, hunting, and firearms are prohibited. Fishing is permitted with a valid Nebraska fishing license. Smoking, all terrain vehicles, horses, pets, and camping are not allowed on the trails, on the prairie, or in the forested area. Visitors must stay on the trails and in designated areas. Cross country skiing is allowed on the trails.

The Heritage Center, Education Center, Freeman School, and Palmer-Epard Cabin are smoke free facilities. Food and drink are not allowed in any of the buildings.

Pets must be kept on a leash and in designated outside areas.