The Dirty Thirties Comes to Life!

Date: September 17, 2013

National Park ServiceNews Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – September 17, 2013

Merrith Baughman 402-223-3514

The Dirty Thirties Comes to Life!

In recognition of Prairie Appreciation Week, Homestead National Monument of America will have a special program by Historian Blake Bell titled The Dust Bowl: An American Legacy. Come out to the monument’s Education Center onSunday, September 29, 2013 at 2 p.m.to hear this program that will bring the “Dirty Thirties” to life!

The Dust Bowl was one of the largest environmental disasters in recorded history. Drought, high winds, and poor agricultural management created a perfect storm that devastated the land and people of the Great Plains. Bell takes an innovative approach to bring this story to life. By incorporating music, images, and video, visitors will see and hear the drama unfold as the winds swept away not only the millions of acres of top soil, but also the dreams of nearly 500,000 farmers. The Dust Bowl caused the largest migration in United States History as over 2.5 million people relocated away from the Great Plains as the onslaught of relentless dust storms proved overwhelming.

Remember, Homestead National Monument of America has an exciting schedule of events planned for 2013. Keep up with the latest information by following us on Twitter (HomesteadNM) and Facebook (HomesteadNM).

Homestead National Monument of America is a unit of the National Park Service located four miles west of Beatrice, Nebraska and 45 miles south of Lincoln. Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free of charge. For additional information, please call 402-223-3514 or visit https://www.nps.gov/home/.

EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICATM

The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.