• Homestead Heritage Center & Prairie

    Homestead

    National Monument of America Nebraska

FREE LAND was the cry!!

The Homestead Act of 1862 brought about significant and enduring changes to the United States. By giving government land to individuals in 30 states this law allowed nearly any man or woman a chance to live the American Dream. Over 1.6 million people rose to the challenge and claimed 270 million acres. Immerse yourself in this story. Discover the enduring impacts upon the land and all its people.

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Features

  • Upcoming Event at Homestead

    The Homestead Act is HERE!

    Four pages, 4 million claims and America was forever changed. The four pages of the Homestead Act of 1862 will be on display April 25-May 28, 2012.

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  • 150th Anniversary of Homestead Act

    Celebrate the Homestead Act's 150th Anniversary

    2012 marks the 150th anniversary of one of America's most influential pieces of legislation, the Homestead Act of 1862.

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  • Homestead Days 2012

    Homestead Days 2012

    Homestead Days "150 Years of Pursuing the American Dream" will be on June 15-17, 2012. Find out what exciting performers are coming this year!

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  • Be a Homestead WebRanger

    Become a Homestead WebRanger

    Hey Kids! Become a WebRanger and check out Homestead's new online activities.

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  • Homestead Land Records Project

    Land Records Project

    Homestead, fold3.com, FamilySearch, & the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have partnered in an effort to digitize all Homestead Land Entry Case Files.

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  • Things to Do

    Day in the Life of a Homesteader

    Walk through the tallgrass prairie, listen to homesteaders' stories, and visit the Palmer-Epard Cabin and the Freeman School.

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  • Homestead Descendant

    Are you a Homesteader or Homestead descendant?

    The monument wants to locate and record the experiences of homesteaders and their descendants. If you want to share your story, contact us.

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  • Learn at Homestead

    Educational Opportunities at Homestead

    Homestead strives to provide high quality curriculum-based educational material for all grade levels, both on site & through distance learning.

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Did You Know?

Sunrise over prairie

The Homestead Act, Emancipation Proclamation and the Railroad Act were passed at the same time and worked together to move emigrants to the west for settlement.
  -- Homestead National Monument of America