Last updated: 6/7/2011
8523 West State Highway 4
Beatrice, NE 68310
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Merrith Baughman
phone: 402-223-3514
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The Homestead Act of 1862 was one of the most significant and enduring events in the westward expansion of the United States. By granting 160 acres of free land to claimants, it allowed nearly any man or woman a "fair chance." Homestead National Monument of America, located in Southeast Nebraska, commemorates this Act and the far-reaching effects it had upon the landscape and people.
With one stroke of the pen on March 19, 1936, President Franklin D. Roosevelt created a new national park on the site of the Daniel Freeman homestead. The following words were included in the legislation:
"...lay out said land in a suitable and enduring manner so that the same may be maintained as an appropriate monument to retain for posterity a proper memorial emblematical of the hardships and the pioneer life through which the early settlers passed in the settlement, cultivation and civilization of the Great West."
For more information go to http://www.nps.gov/home/historyculture/creationhomesteadmonument.htm
Homestead National Monument of America currently has over 9,000 archeological artifacts, over 7,000 historical objects, almost 1,000 scientific specimens and over 43,000 archival documents or 26.9 linear feet. The total collection size for Homestead National Monument of America is over 60,000 items! For more information go to http://www.nps.gov/home/historyculture/collections.htm
Special events are held throughout the year. See http://www.nps.gov/home/planyourvisit/events.htm for upcoming events.
Education Opportunities:
Homestead National Monument of America has developed Curriculum Based educational materials and activities intended for use during field trips to Homestead, visits by a National Park Ranger to the classroom, and use by the teacher in the classroom. Homestead also provides Distance Learning opportunities. Schools that are interested in any of these educational opportunities should contact:
Education Coordinator
Homestead National Monument of America
402-223-3514
For more information go to http://www.nps.gov/home/forteachers/index.htm
Homestead National Monument of America is a unit in the National Park System administered by the National Park Service, an agency in the United States Department of Interior
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