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.

Winter 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. 

Homestead Records: Broken Bow Land Office

New Exhibits Installed more.

Interpretive Film Land of Dreams more.

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

May 9, 2009
Win a Fiddle During the Monumental Fiddling Championship and Acoustic Band Contest
The annual Monumental Fiddling Championship and Acoustic Band Contest will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2009, at Homestead National Monument of America west of Beatrice, Nebraska. The event is free of charge and will take place at the Education Center. All fiddlers who participate in the competition are eligible for a free fiddle donated to the Friends of Homestead by Nancy Rohn of Seattle. Washington. The drawing will take place at the beginning of the 7:00 p.m. Concert of Winners, and you must be present to win. There is no participant or registration fee. more.

April 9, 2009
Land of Dreams: Homesteading America Wins Another Award
The film Land of Dreams: Homesteading America, which tells the American epic homesteading story, is a hit with the critics. It has been selected for a 2009 Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Award. This follows winning the prestigious CINE Golden Eagle Award. It is shown daily, free of charge, at Homestead National Monument of America’s Heritage Center.more.

April 2, 2009
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.

January 26,2009
Land of Dreams wins prestigious award. more.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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

May 10, 2009
Celebrate 140th Anniversary of Completion of the Transcontinental Railroad at Homestead National Monument
Homestead National Monument of America will offer a special program on the 140th Anniversary of the completion of the first transcontinental railroad on Sunday, May 10, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. by Patricia LaBounty from the Union Pacific Railroad Museum in the recently remodeled Education Center. This presentation coincides with opening of a new temporary photographic exhibit “Perspectives on Promontory,” also on loan from the Union Pacific Railroad Museum in Council Bluffs, Iowa. This exhibit is made possible by the generous support of the Leigh F. Coffin, Jane M. Coffin, & Leigh M. Coffin Foundation. more.

May 23, 2009
Monumental Fiddling Championship and Acoustic Band Contest to Award $1000 in Prizes
Mark your calendars for the most monumental of Monumental Fiddling Championship and Acoustic Band Contests. This day of rousing music and fun-filled competition will take place at Homestead National Monument of America’s Education Center on Saturday, May 23, 2009. There is a total of $1000 in prize money thanks to the Leigh F. Coffin, Jane M. Coffin, and Leigh M. Coffin Foundation. There is no registration fee or admission fee for the Monumental Fiddling Championship and Acoustic Band Contest. more.

June 19-21, 2009
Homestead Days Performance Schedule Finalized!
Homestead National Monument of America has finalized the performance schedule for Homestead Days on June 19-21, 2009. This year, in commemoration of Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday, Homestead Days events will focus on the connections between Lincoln, the Civil War, and homesteading. Click here for a schedule of events. 

July 10-11, 2009
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. more.

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

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

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.

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