News Release

Homestead National Historical Park to Host a Living History Extravaganza

Date: August 14, 2025
Contact: Amber Kirkendall, 402-223-3514

BEATRICE, Neb. – Homestead National Historical Park will present a day of living history activities at the Homestead Heritage Center on Saturday, August 30, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  

The free activities, demonstrations, and living history performances will begin at 10 a.m. with members of the Blue Valley Antique Club using vintage farm equipment to disk and drill the Heritage Center's demonstration field. Throughout the day, hands-on crafts will include sewing and spinning. Participants can make button-toys and cornhusk dolls to take home.

At 11 a.m., Jolene McLaughlin will portray author Bess Streeter Aldrich. Aldrich was born in Iowa, but lived her adult life in Elmwood, Nebraska. She wrote and published 160 short stories and 13 books, many related to the experiences of homesteaders.

At 1 p.m. Bill Hayes will present the story of the Lewis & Clark Expedition through the eyes of its youngest member, George Shannon. In period clothing, Hayes will share Shannon’s experiences on the journey to the Pacific Ocean, from 1804-1806. The Lewis and Clark Expedition laid groundwork for future land policies including the Homestead Act. Much of the land explored during the mission was ultimately homesteaded.

Homestead National Historical Park plans to host multiple events Labor Day weekend including the Living History Extravaganza on Saturday, August 30, 2025, and the Old-Fashioned Spelling Bee and Ice Cream Social on Monday, September 1, 2025. For information on available accommodations please contact Accessibility Coordinator, Amber Kirkendall at [phone] or [e-mail].

Homestead National Historical Park is a unit of the National Park Service, located four miles west of Beatrice, Nebraska. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Trails are open daily from dawn to dusk, and admission is free. The park has a diverse schedule of events planned for 2025. Keep up with the latest information by following us on Instagram (@HomesteadNPS), “X” (@HomesteadNHP), and Facebook (Homestead National Historical Park).

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About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 430+ national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.