National Park Service Releases New Brochure for Homestead National Monument of America

Date: March 31, 2015

Homestead National Monument of America has developed a new brochure. This brochure will be placed into use as part of the National Park Service’s “Find Your Park” Campaign. Traditionally visitors to National Parks are given brochures when they enter the park. The brochures include basic information, such as maps and hours of operation, but also in-depth information on a segment of the park’s story. The new Homestead brochure takes a new approach to telling America’s Homestead story as it starts with discussions on immigration. Monument Superintendent Mark Engler shares that this approach is very fitting and makes the Homestead story relevant to today’s citizens.

Recent historic research conducted at Homestead National Monument of America has highlighted the tie the Homestead Act of 1862 had to immigration. In fact, Homestead Historian Blake Bell’s research reveals that the Homestead Act is America’s first “accommodating immigration law”. Bell’s research has been shared through C-SPAN and by Washington Post Columnist George Will. The new Homestead brochure captures the immigration elements and other original research updates relating to the Homestead story.

The brochure also features a new, easy to read timeline. The Homestead Act spanned 123 years of American History, and the timeline allows readers to quickly see the evolution of agricultural technologies and the development of transportation and communication networks. The timeline starts with the acquisition of public lands in the late 18th Century and guides readers through to the last homestead in Alaska in 1988. In addition to the new research and timeline, the brochure features beautiful pictures and stunning maps.

Engler further stated that it has been nearly 30-years since the Homestead Brochure hasundergone major revisions, and the Park is excited to share the new brochure with visitors.

Remember, Homestead National Monument of America has an exciting schedule of events planned for 2015. Keep up with the latest information by following us on Twitter (HomesteadNM) and Facebook (Homestead National Monument of America).

Homestead National Monument of America is a unit of the National Park Service located fourmiles west of Beatrice, Nebraska. Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is free of charge. For additional information, please call 402-223-3514 or visit https://www.nps.gov/home/index.htm.

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