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 

Through Monday, September 1 Homestead National Monument of America will be open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Beginning June 1 the Monument will offer a wide variety of special programs at the Palmer-Epard Cabin and on the tallgrass prairie. Also, the Freeman School will be open 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. daily. There is no admission fee or parking fee and admission to all special events is free of charge.  Include Homestead National Monument of America in your plans for a stay close to "home" vacation.

New Exhibits Installed

On Thursday, August 7, new trailside exhibits were placed on the restored tallgrass prairie and at the Freeman School at Homestead National Monument of America. In all, sixteen new “wayside” exhibits will be erected at various locations. The exhibits explain such subjects as the rectangular survey system, homesteader transportation, the importance of water to pioneer farmers, the Palmer-Epard cabin, the importance of one-room schools to homesteader communities, and more.

Superintendent Mark Engler announced "We are pleased to announce that we are now testing a cell phone tour so visitors have another option to help them explore the impact homesteading had on America."

New Interpretive Film Premiered

On Saturday, April 5, 2008 Homestead National Monument of America premiered a new interpretive film Land of Dreams: Homesteading America in a gala event.

Naturalization Photos, Fire and Other Links

For photos of the Flag Day, 2008 Naturalization Ceremony go here. For information about Bird Study being conducted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln at Homestead NM go here. For video about Planting Trees, March for Parks, and National Junior Ranger Day go here. To see Homestead National Monument of America Fire and the Tallgrass Prairie Flash Presentation and learn how fire shaped the ecosystem and how it is being used to restore it go here. Go here for homepage of NPS Fire and Aviation Management Program.

Upcoming Events

Celebrate Labor Day Weekend: More.

Barbed Wire Exhibit: Learn about Barbed Wire Exhibit on display through August 31.

Constitution Day Naturalization Ceremony, September 17, 1:30 pm:  Witness immigrants take the oath to become American Citizens. More.

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

Listen to audio of past special events.

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.

Land Records Project

The Homestead Act of 1862 had a tremendous effect on America and the World. Each claim generated a written record. The information contained in these records is historically and genealogically significant. Homestead National Monument of America is beginning the process of transferring these records to microfilm and storing them at the Monument site near Beatrice, Nebraska for public access.
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