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.

Fall Hours and Programs 

Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.          
Saturday - Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 
Outdoor trails are open from dawn to dusk. The Freeman School, a historic one room school house will be available to view at visitor request.  These hours will remain in effect until Memorial Day.

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

New Exhibits Installed more.

Interpretive Film Land of Dreams more.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Major Developements in Homestead Records Initiative Announced:
Read the press release for more information.  

Prairie Appreciation Week
September 27 - October 4:  Recognize and celebrate Homestead National Monument of America's tallgrass prairie, the oldest restored prairie in the National Park Service. overview

Public Lands Day Deer Census
September 27:  Volunteer to help the Rangers count the monument's deer population. more.

Book Signing and Program by Jeffery Lockwood September 28:
Author of“Locust: The Devastating Rise and Mysterious Disappearance of the Insect that Shaped the American Frontier,” will be speaking at Homestead National Monument of America. Presentations and book signings will be at the Heritage Center at 1 p.m. and again and 3 p.m.

Prairie Appreciation Week PHOTO CONTEST
Participate in Homestead National Monument of America's first Prairie Appreciation Week Photo contest. For contest information and rules click on flyer. Click on entry to print off submission slips or pick up submission slips at the Heritage Center and Education Center front desks.

Native Plant Seed Collection
Saturdays and Sundays in October:
For collection times and additional information click press release.

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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