THE GOVERNMENT NEWS DESKPERMANENT NPS STORY ARCHIVE
Organized by publication date and destination. Each story retains its permanent State & Nation address and official NPS source.
Homestead National Historical Park will present a day of living history activities at the Homestead Heritage Center on Saturday, September 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. As the nation commemorates America's 250th anniversary, the event will explore how the ideals of the nation's founding continued to shape the homesteading experience through music, living history demonstrations, and special presentations.
Official NPS sourceJoin staff at Homestead National Historical Park’s Education Center on September 2 at 3 p.m. for the monthly walk with a ranger. All ages and abilities are welcome. During the walk, which will take about one hour and cover about a mile of trail, participants will use the prairie and woodland to inspire conversation, learning and sharing. Butterflies, birds and botany are likely topics to be covered.
Official NPS sourceJoin staff at Homestead National Historical Park’s Education Center on August 21 at 3 p.m. to earn volunteer hours as you document the biodiversity of butterflies of the prairie and woodland. All ages and abilities are welcome. During the walk, which will take about an hour and cover about a mile of trail, participants will work together with the ranger to find and identify as many butterflies as possible.
Official NPS sourceJoin Homestead National Historical Park for a National Park Service Founders Day program called Found, taking place Sunday, August 23, at 2:00 p.m. at the park's Education Center.
Official NPS sourceAttention kids of all ages. Come to the Education Center at Homestead National Historical Park on Saturday, August 8 at 10 a.m. and join us in a free ranger-led activity as we talk about the different types of animals that call the park home. Earn a Junior Ranger badge to take home.
Official NPS sourceJoin staff at Homestead National Historical Park’s Education Center on August 5 at 3 p.m. for the monthly walk with a ranger. All ages and abilities are welcome. During the walk, which will take about one hour and cover about a mile of trail, participants will use the prairie and woodland to inspire conversation, learning and sharing. Butterflies, birds and botany are likely topics to be covered.
Official NPS sourceHomestead National Historical Park is hosting the traveling exhibit “The Mask of Lincoln” at the park’s Education Center beginning June 26 and ending September 27.
Official NPS sourceJoin Park Guide Tanner Christy at Homestead National Historical Park on Saturday, July 4, at 7 p.m. for a campfire program entitled “Icons of America: The American Story and the Homestead Act – America’s 250th Birthday”. As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, we will delve into some of the stories of the United States, the icons that shaped us, and how it all connects to the Homestead Act.
Official NPS sourceJoin staff at Homestead National Historical Park’s Education Center on July 1 at 3 p.m. for the monthly walk with a ranger. All ages and abilities are welcome. During the walk, which will take about one hour and cover about a mile of trail, participants will use the prairie and woodland to inspire conversation, learning and sharing. Butterflies, birds and botany are likely topics to be covered.
Official NPS sourcePicture books, crafts, nature walks and more when you read with a park ranger! “Read with a Ranger” programs are on the third Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. Join the rangers at the Education Center.
Official NPS sourceVisitors to Homestead National Historical Park are invited to the park’s grounds at the Education Center on Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28 to participate in a full weekend of free activities, demonstrations, and performances.
Official NPS sourceHomestead National Historical Park invites fiddlers to share their talent and compete in the annual Tallgrass Prairie Fiddle Festival, May 23, 2026. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., a workshop is scheduled to take place at 10 a.m., the jam session will start at 11 a.m., and the competition begins at noon.
Official NPS sourceHomestead National Historical Park plans to conduct a prescribed burn treating approximately 60 acres. The prescribed fire will occur on the first day in which favorable and safe conditions exist between now and May 1, 2026.
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BEATRICE, Neb. - Homestead National Historical Park’s 2026 Artist-in-Residence Program is open for applications for artists seeking inspiration from Homestead National Historical Park’s rich cultural and natural resources. All visual (painters, photographers, sculptures, etc.), performing (drama, dance, music, composition, etc.) and literary artists are welcome to apply.
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Beatrice, Neb. – Homestead National Historical Park is hosting its annual Winter Festival of Prairie Cultures now through January 3, 2026, at the Education and Heritage Centers. Special programs will be offered December 7, and December 14, 2025, at the Education Center.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will welcome 25 United States citizenship candidates during a naturalization ceremony at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at Homestead National Historical Park’s Education Center in honor of Constitution Day.
Official NPS sourceHomestead National Historical Park is hosting its annual Old-Fashioned Spelling Bee and Ice Cream Social on Monday, September 1, 2025, 10 a.m., at the Freeman School. Morgan Fox, Youth Services Librarian at Beatrice Public Library, will emcee the competition. Visitors can enjoy an ice cream social and self-guided nature writing activities after the spelling bee.
Official NPS sourceHomestead 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.
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BEATRICE, Neb. – The National Park Service and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will welcome 25 United States citizenship candidates during a naturalization ceremony at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, June 13, 2025, at Homestead National Historical Park’s Education Center in honor of Flag Day. The 25 citizenship candidates represent 16 countries including: Iraq, Mexico, Somalia, Cameroon, El Salvador, Ukraine, Cuba, Congo, and Iran.
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Homestead National Historical Park invites fiddlers to share their talent and compete in the annual Tallgrass Prairie Fiddle Festival, May 24, 2025, registration begins at 9:30 a.m.; a workshop is scheduled take place at 10:00 a.m., and the competition begins at noon.
Official NPS sourceBEATRICE, Neb. – The National Park Service and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services plan to welcome 25 United States citizenship candidates during a naturalization ceremony at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at Homestead National Historical Park’s Education Center.
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“Read with a Ranger” programs begin in January. Join the rangers at the park’s Education Center at 10 a.m. on the 3rd Tuesday and Saturday each month throughout 2025.
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BEATRICE, Neb. – This year’s film festival kicks off at the Education Center on Saturday, January 4 at 2 p.m. with Episode 1 of Ken Burns’ film The West!
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Attention kids of all ages! Come to the Education Center at Homestead National Historical Park on Saturday, January 11, at 10 a.m. and join us in a ranger-led outdoor walk and indoor craft activity as we solve a mystery about critters that call the park home during winter. And of course, the event is FREE! Come dressed for the weather. Jackets, hats, and gloves are recommended.
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The historic Palmer-Epard Cabin in Homestead National Historical Park is once again open to visitors following an approximately $180,000 restoration project funded by the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) Legacy Restoration Fund. Visitors to the small cabin are transported back to the 1860s and given a glimpse into the world of courageous homesteaders in search of a better life.
Official NPS sourceHomestead National Historical Park’s 2025 Artist-in-Residence program is now open to practicing artists seeking inspiration from Homestead National Historical Park’s rich cultural and natural resources! Homestead National Historical Park welcomes applications from artists practicing any form of artistic expression, including painting, sculpting, photography, performance, writing, video/filmmaking, musical composition, etc. To apply for the program, visit https://go.nps.gov/HomesteadAIR and follow the application requirements. The deadline for accepting applications is January 31, 2025. For applications to be considered, they must be postmarked on or before this date. Artists will be notified of selection results by the end of March 2025. Selected artists will channel their individual talent into one-of-a-kind pieces inspired by the homestead story and the park’s environment. Those selected will also conduct a public presentation related to their work as a part of the residency.
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Attention kids of all ages. Join us at the Education Center at Homestead National Historical Park on Saturday, December 14, at 10 a.m. for a ranger-led activity as we learn where homesteaders lived on the plains and construct our own homestead gingerbread cabins. And of course, the event is FREE!
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Go back in time this holiday season, November 29 through December 31, at Homestead National Historical Park’s Education Center and Heritage Center, to see a beautiful tapestry of winter traditions of those who lived on the Great Plains.
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BEATRICE, Neb. – On Sunday, November 10 at 2 p.m., Homestead National Historical Park will welcome Steven Tamayo from the Bluebirds Cultural Initiative. Tamayo will present a program on the deer skin Lakota winter count he created for Homestead National Historical Park’s Winter Festival of Prairie Cultures. This program will take place at the Homestead Education Center.
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BEATRICE, Neb. – Attention kids of all ages! Come to the Education Center at Homestead National Historical Park on Saturday, November 9, at 10 a.m. and join us in a ranger-led activity as we learn about the many uses Native Americans and early settlers had for the bison. And of course, the event is FREE! Come dressed for the weather. Jackets, sunscreen, and insect repellent are all recommended.
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It’s time once again for Howling Homestead at Homestead National Historical Park! This exciting, fun, and family-friendly event will be held at the Heritage Center on Saturday, October 26, 2024, starting at 4 p.m. There will be a variety of stations to entertain and delight. Join presenters to learn about Lakota stories, have fun with the “mad scientist,” observe snakes and raptors and take a hike through the tallgrass prairie, plus so much more! There is no fee for this event and the first 100 children receive a free pumpkin to take home from the Friends of Homestead, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the park.
Official NPS sourceJoin Park Guide Will Griggs at Homestead National Historical Park on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. for a campfire program entitled “Nighttime Games on the Homestead.” This program will delve into the important role that leisure and games played in providing relief from the hardships of homesteading.
Official NPS sourceAttention kids of all ages! Come to the Education Center at Homestead National Historical Park on Saturday, October 12, at 10 a.m. and join us in a ranger-led activity as we learn about leaves and their characteristics, using detective skills to identify them. And of course, the event is FREE! Come dressed for the weather. Jackets, sunscreen, and insect repellent are all recommended.
Official NPS sourceJoin Park Ranger Amber Kirkendall on Sunday, October 6, 2024, at 2 p.m. at Homestead National Historical Park’s Heritage Center to learn how to locate and leverage National Park Service sites and digital public lands records to research and connect to your family history. The National Park Service protects and provides access to our Nation's natural and cultural heritage. There are over 430 National Parks. These public lands tell various parts of the American story and can provide unique physical and digital resources that can help researchers learn more about the experiences of their ancestors. Kirkendall will discuss how to locate National Parks that connect to your family story via major topics, era, and location.
Official NPS sourceDiscover the diversity of the vegetation of Homestead National Historical Park on Saturday, October 5, 2024, by harvesting native seed to be used to repair and restore disturbed areas. Meet at the Education Center at 1 p.m. for a quick introduction to the activity before heading out to harvest seed. No experience is needed. Please wear long pants and closed toed shoes. Gloves are optional and will not be provided. Many people do like to wear gardening type gloves to protect their hands.
Official NPS sourceAttention star gazers of all ages! Come out to the Heritage Center at Homestead National Historical Park on Saturday, October 5 at 7:30 p.m. and join us in a ranger-led astronomy activity. Everyone is encouraged to dress for the weather and bring binoculars or telescopes to view the night sky. There will be three telescopes at the park. In the event the weather doesn’t cooperate, we will have a kid-friendly indoor activity. And of course, the event is FREE!
Official NPS sourceCurious about the flora, funga, and fauna of Homestead National Historical Park? Venture out to the park on Saturday, September 28 for the 2024 National Public Lands Day - BioBlitz! A bioblitz is a community science effort to identify as many species as possible that can be found within a given space and time. Sunscreen and insect repellent are advised.
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Come to Homestead National Historical Park’s Education Center on Sunday, September 15, at 2 p.m. and meet Artist-in-Residence Anita Bauman, who will present a demonstration of her sewing work as she creates a piece inspired by the homestead spirit. She is also inviting visitors to be involved in the sewing process by designing their own fabric blocks or by bringing old fabric they may have at home. Join Bauman as she highlights her enjoyment of sewing at Homestead National Historical Park.
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U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the National Park Service will celebrate Constitution Day by hosting a Naturalization Ceremony at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at Homestead National Historical Park’s Heritage Center. The 26 citizenship candidates represent 14 countries, including: Afghanistan, Brazil, Colombia, Congo, Cuba, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea, Guatemala, India, Iraq, Mexico, Nigeria, Sudan, and Vietnam. The public is invited and encouraged to attend as we welcome these new citizens and celebrate their accomplishment.
Official NPS sourceAttention kids of all ages! Come out to the Education Center at Homestead National Historical Park on Saturday, September 14, at 10 a.m. for a ranger-led activity as we learn about mysterious owl pellets. These are the things the owl leaves behind after having a meal, so who knows what you may find as you look inside. And of course, the event is FREE! Come dressed for the weather. Sunscreen and insect repellent are recommended.
Official NPS sourceA new National Park Service report shows that 49.8 thousand visitors to Homestead National Historical Park in 2023 spent $1.9 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 25 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $2.2 million.
Official NPS sourceJoin Park Guide Will Griggs at Homestead National Historical Park on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. for a campfire program entitled “Nighttime Games on the Homestead.” This program will delve into the important role that leisure and games played in providing relief from the hardships of homesteading.
Official NPS sourceHomestead National Historical Park will return to regular hours starting on Tuesday, September 3, 2024. The park visitor centers will be open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Freeman School will be opened by request as along as staffing permits. Parking areas and trails will continue to be open from sunrise to sunset.
Official NPS sourceOn Monday, September 2, 2024, starting at 10 a.m. at the Freeman School, join in that time honored tradition of the annual Old-Fashioned Spelling Bee. Stick around after the spelling bee for a free ice cream social, complete with games and activities that schoolchildren would have played back in the homestead era.
Official NPS sourceIt’s a Living History Extravaganza! Experience history at Homestead National Historical Park’s Heritage Center on Saturday, August 31, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Historic chore demonstrations and crafts will be led by volunteers. Hands-on crafts will include button toys, spinning, and cornhusk dolls. Starting at 10 a.m., Blue Valley Antique Club members will disk and drill the Heritage Center’s demonstration field with historic farm equipment. This demonstration of historic equipment will plant the field with winter wheat.
Official NPS sourceJoin Park Guide Tanner Christy at Homestead National Historical Park on Sunday, August 25, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. for a special program celebrating the 108th birthday of the National Park Service. This program will delve into the early history of the National Park Service, the creation of Homestead National Historical Park, and the special natural and cultural resources that the National Park Service protects. This program will be held in the multipurpose room in the Education Center.
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Attention kids of all ages! Come to the Heritage Center at Homestead National Historical Park on Saturday, August 10 at 10 a.m. and join us in a ranger-led activity as we learn about fish and their characteristics. Then try your luck as we practice fishing. We’ll have 10 fishing poles available for use, or bring you own. We’ll also have some bait available. All participants earn a Junior Ranger Angler badge. Of course, the event is FREE!
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Come to Homestead National Historical Park’s Education Center on Sunday, July 21, at 2:00 p.m. for a special program by Sara Gregg, Ph.D., whose work focuses on environmental change, agricultural history, and land policy. Gregg will present a program on her current project, “Little Piece of Earth: The Hidden History of Homesteading on the Great Plains”, which examines the process of state formation in the US West from the first years in the contact zone through the several Homestead Acts and into the present. She is excited to present this project, so we encourage those interested to join us for this wonderful program.
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Come to Homestead National Historical Park’s Education Center on Saturday, July 20, at 10:00 a.m. to shoot photos with our artist-in-residence, Sara Gregg, and explore prairie wildlife and vegetation in the park. Learn some tricks on composition and lighting from Gregg, while experiencing the oldest restored prairie in the National Park Service. Participants are welcome to bring a digital camera, camera phone, or use instant cameras provided by the park.
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On July 19 and 20, 2024 at 2 p.m. become a citizen scientist and join Homestead’s Park Rangers to search and count butterflies! Meet at the Heritage Center for a brief introduction at 2 p.m. before heading outside. The current plan is to walk and make observations along a one-fourth of a mile prairie trail. Prepare for the weather with sun protection, close-toed shoes, and drinking water. Binoculars and cameras with telephoto lenses can be helpful in getting a good view of the butterflies.
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Come to Homestead National Historical Park’s Education Center on Sunday, July 14, at 2:00 p.m., and meet Artist-in-Residence Jacqueline Abend, who will present a workshop on her artistic pursuits which involve the use of painting landscapes and descriptive texts to invoke thoughts and feelings about homesteading. Join Abend as she explores what it means to be a homesteader through the arts.
Official NPS sourceAttention kids of all ages! Come to the Education Center at Homestead National Historical Park on Saturday, July 13 at 10 a.m. and join us in a ranger-led activity as we discover the plants on the prairie. We’ll take a short hike on the prairie and discuss some uses of native plants. Afterward, we’ll decorate a flowerpot and plant seeds that will grow into a plant to take home. All participants earn a Junior Ranger badge. Of course, the event is FREE!
Official NPS sourceBEATRICE, Neb. – Actor Sean Astin will be at Homestead National Historical Park on Saturday, June 22, at 3:00 p.m., as part of Homestead Days activities. Sean Astin is known for his roles in “The Goonies”, “Rudy”, “Stranger Things 2”, “The Conners”, “The Lord of the Rings”, and many more.
Official NPS sourceU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the National Park Service will celebrate Flag Day by hosting a Naturalization Ceremony at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, June 14, 2024, at Homestead National Historical Park’s Education Center. The 25 citizenship candidates represent 18 countries, including: El Salvador, Vietnam, Burma, Portugal, and Canada. The public is invited and encouraged to attend as we welcome these new citizens and celebrate their accomplishment.
Official NPS sourceAttention kids of all ages! Come to the Education Center at Homestead National Historical Park on Saturday, June 8 at 10 a.m. and join us in a ranger-led activity as we discover the world of wool spinning and dyeing. Create a bookmark or bracelet for yourself to take home and earn a Junior Ranger badge. Of course, the event is FREE!
Official NPS sourceJoin staff at Homestead National Historical Park’s Education Center on June 7 and/or June 8 at 8 a.m. for a ranger-led bird walk. All ages and abilities are welcome. During the walk, which will take about two hours and cover about a mile of trail, participants will work together with the ranger to find and identify as many of the songsters as possible.
Official NPS sourceCome to Homestead National Historical Park’s Education Center on Friday, May 24, at 10:00 a.m. and meet Artist-in-Residence, Nikki Raitz, who will present a workshop on how to draw the many birds you can see at Homestead. Join Raitz as she explores the wonders of nature at Homestead National Historical Park through her love of drawing and the arts.
Official NPS sourceJoin us Sunday, May 26, to see Hillary Klug. Klug will participate with guests in a jam session and buck dancing workshop from noon-1 p.m., so bring your instruments and dancing shoes. She will then perform a concert with local musicians from 1 p.m.-2 p.m.
Official NPS sourceHomestead National Historical Park invites you to join us on Saturday May 25, 2024, and Sunday, May 26 for the Tallgrass Prairie Fiddle Festival. This year’s festival will feature two days of activities dedicated to remembering the musical traditions of the Homestead Era.
Official NPS sourceCurious about the plants and animals of Homestead National Historical Park? Then be at the park on Saturday, May 11, 2024, for the 2024 Critter Count - Bioblitz!
Official NPS sourceDo you enjoy slow walks while being serenaded by elusive songsters? If you answered yes (or even maybe), be sure to be at Homestead National Historical Park’s Education Center on May 3 and/or 4 at 8 a.m. for a ranger-led bird excursion. All ages and abilities are welcome. During the stroll, which will take about two hours and cover about a mile of trail, participants will work together with the ranger to find and identify as many of the songsters as possible.
Official NPS sourceCelebrate National Park Week at Homestead National Historical Park, April 20-28! Homestead National Historical Park is having a Ranger-led Arbor Day Woodland Walk where you can learn about the woodland and prairie ecosystems and earn your Junior Ranger Badge. This program will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at our Education Center. So come on out and enjoy a ranger-guided walk as we continue our celebration of National Park Week!
Official NPS sourceU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the National Park Service will welcome 25 U.S. Citizenship candidates to be naturalized during a ceremony at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at Homestead National Historical Park’s Education Center in honor of National Park Week. The 25 citizenship candidates represent 14 countries, including: Sudan, Vietnam, Burma Morocco, and Ukraine. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.
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Celebrate National Park Week at Homestead National Historical Park, April 20-28! Homestead National Historical Park will start the festivities at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 20, 2024 with the Wichita War Dancer at the Homestead Education Center. Greg Victors, also known as the Wichita War Dancer, is an Indigenous performer dedicated to preserving traditional Native American culture through the War Dance. In addition to performing native dances, Victors will also help the audience learn more about Indigenous culture.
Official NPS sourceAttention eclipse fans of all ages! Bring your lunch and lawn chairs to the Heritage Center at Homestead National Historical Park on Monday, April 8 at noon. and join us for the partial solar eclipse. We will be making pinhole cards to view the eclipse safely, and the first 200 visitors will receive eclipse viewing glasses. Weather permitting, hourly prairie walks will occur at noon, 1:00 p.m., and 2:00 p.m., because the eclipse not only affects humans, but animals as well. This is the last in a 7-year chain of solar eclipses that started with the total solar eclipse in 2017. The next solar eclipse over the United States will be 20 years from now in 2044. Everyone is encouraged to dress for the weather, and participants can earn Eclipse Explorer Junior Ranger badges. And of course, the event is FREE!
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Attention kids of all ages! Come to the Education Center at Homestead National Historical Park on Saturday, March 9 at 10 a.m. and join us in a ranger-led activity as we discover many things about bats. Then join us as we build bat houses to encourage these cute misunderstood animals to nest in your yard and eat bugs. Take your bat house home, along with a Junior Ranger badge, and of course, the event is FREE!
Official NPS sourceDo you enjoy Genealogy? Do you want to learn about your family history? Join Homestead National Historical Park to learn about the ins and outs of genealogy on Saturday, March 9 at 2 p.m. at the Education Center. Park Guide Tanner Christy will go over the basics of how to start in your genealogy journey. This free ranger-led program will look at the many resources available to research your family and how to use them effectively to put your family story together.
Official NPS sourceAttention star gazers of all ages! Come out to the Heritage Center at Homestead National Historical Park on Friday, March 8 at 7:30 p.m. and join us in a ranger-led astronomy activity. Everyone is encouraged to dress for the weather and bring binoculars or telescopes to view the night sky. There will be three telescopes at the park. In the event the weather doesn’t cooperate, we will have a kid-friendly indoor activity. And of course, the event is FREE!
Official NPS sourceHomestead National Historical Park is proud to recognize March as Women’s History Month by offering two FREE ranger-led programs exploring women’s roles in understanding Great Plains landscapes and in developing United States public lands on Sunday, March 3, and Sunday, March 24. Both programs start at 2 p.m. at the park’s Education Center.
Official NPS sourceDo you love National Parks? Do you have a photo or three you want to show off? Homestead National Historical Park is pleased to announce its third annual National Parks Photo Contest. We invite everyone to share their favorite snapshots of their time visiting America’s national parks.
Official NPS sourceAttention kids of all ages! Come out to the Education Center at Homestead National Historical Park on Saturday, February 10 at 10 a.m. and join us in a ranger-led activity as we discover the many bird species that call the prairie and woodland home in the wintertime. Then join us as we create a bird or woodland critter with a bead craft project to take home. Participants will earn a Junior Ranger badge, and of course, the event is FREE!
Official NPS sourceHomestead National Historical Park is proud to share its mini-documentary production entitled Homestead Roots Deep in the South on February 4, 2024, at 2PM at the park’s Education Center.
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Attention kids of all ages! Come out to the Education Center at Homestead National Historical Park on Saturday, January 13 at 10 a.m. and join us in a ranger-led activity as we learn what critters call the prairie home in the wintertime and solve the mystery of where they go when it’s cold and snowy. Then join us as we create a woodland critter with a bead craft project to take home. Participants will earn a Junior Ranger badge, and of course, the event is FREE!
Official NPS sourceHomestead National Historical Park’s 2024 Film Festival will feature films by Ken Burns. This year’s film festival will be held at the Education Center throughout the weekends of January.
Official NPS sourceHomestead National Historical Park is looking for practicing artists wanting to find inspiration from our rich cultural and natural resources in 2024. To apply for the program, visit https://go.nps.gov/HomesteadAIR and follow the application requirements. The deadline for accepting applications is January 15, 2024. For applications to be considered they must be postmarked on or before this date. Artists will be notified of selections by the first week of March. Artists can be fine art painters, sculptors, fine art photographers, performers, writers, video/filmmakers, composers, etc. These artists will channel their individual talent into one-of-a-kind pieces inspired by the homestead story and park environment.
Official NPS sourceAttention star gazers! Come out to Homestead National Historical Park’s Heritage Center on Friday, December 15, at 6 p.m. and join us for a ranger-led astronomy activity. Everyone is encouraged to dress for the weather and bring binoculars or telescopes to view the night sky. There will be three telescopes at the park, as well as hot cocoa. And of course, the event is FREE!
Official NPS sourceJoin us Sunday, December 17, at Homestead National Historical Park’s Education Center as Lindsey Oelling of Paper Moon Pastries shares holiday baking tips and traditions. The program will be directly followed by a fun baking/food creation competition inspired by the Palmer-Epard Cabin. The Palmer-Epard Cabin was built on the Palmer family homestead, about 14-miles from the park, in 1867. The cabin was moved to Homestead National Historical Park in 1950. The historic structure offers guests a peak into what life would have been like for homesteaders at the beginning of the Homestead Era.
Official NPS sourceAttention kids of all ages! Come out to Homestead National Historical Park on Saturday, December 9, from 10 a.m. until noon. and join us in a ranger-led activity as we learn where homesteaders lived on the plains and construct our own homestead cabins. And of course, the event is FREE!
Official NPS sourceGo back in time this holiday season, November 24, thru December 31, at Homestead National Historical Park’s Education Center, to see a beautiful tapestry of winter traditions of those who lived on the Great Plains at the beginning of the Homestead Era. The Homestead Act of 1862 served as an invitation for immigrants to seek free 160-acre homesteads in the United States, resulting in the arrival of a variety of cultural and ethnic traditions to the United States. The Winter Festival of Prairie Cultures remembers this rich heritage and celebrates some of these cultural traditions.
Official NPS sourceJoin Park Guide Tanner Christy at Homestead National Historical Park on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. for a program entitled “A Witness to Sacrifice: History of the Purple Heart Medal.”
Official NPS sourceAttention kids of all ages! Come out to Homestead National Historical Park on Saturday, October 28, from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. and join us in a ranger-led activity as we learn about leaves and their characteristics, using detective skills to identify them. And of course, the event is FREE! Come dressed for the weather. Jackets, sunscreen, and insect repellent are all recommended.
Official NPS sourceIt’s time once again for Howling Homestead at Homestead National Historical Park! This exciting, fun, and family-friendly event will be held at the Heritage Center on Saturday, October 21, 2023, starting at 4 p.m. There will be a variety of stations to entertain and delight. Join presenters to learn about the night sky, have fun with the “mad scientist,” observe snakes and raptors and take a hike through the tallgrass prairie, plus so much more! There is no fee for this event and the first 100 children receive a free pumpkin to take home from the Friends of Homestead, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the park.
Official NPS sourceHomestead National Historical Park invites you to join a special Family History Month program at the Homestead Education Center on Sunday, October 1, at 2:00 p.m. Homestead National Historical Park is pleased to host Dr. Jake Friefeld, author of The First Migrants, and director of the University of Illinois-Springfield’s Center for Lincoln Studies. Dr. Friefeld’s program will share the epic story of Black Americans homesteading in the Great Plains after the Civil War.
Official NPS sourceVisit Homestead National Historical Park’s Education Center now through November 15 to check out an exhibit showcasing activities elementary students in the Beatrice Learning After School Time (BLAST) program participated in during the 2022-2023 school year.
Official NPS sourceJoin Homestead National Historical Park on September 23, 2023, at 1 p.m. to take part in the Nation’s largest single-day volunteer effort by helping to plant over 500 native prairie plants in the Native Plant Display Garden. Meet at the Education Center at 1 p.m. for a short introduction and to sign up as a volunteer.
Official NPS sourceU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the National Park Service will welcome 23 U.S. Citizenship candidates to be naturalized during a ceremony at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, September 15, 2023, at Homestead National Historical Park’s Education Center. The 23 citizenship candidates represent thirteen different countries, including: Burma, El Salvador, Bhutan, Vietnam, Peru, the Philippines, Somalia, Sudan, the United Kingdom, Cuba, Mexico, Ukraine, and Guatemala. The general public is invited and encouraged to attend.
Official NPS sourceAttention kids of all ages! Come out to Homestead National Historical Park on Saturday, September 16, from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. and join us in a ranger-led activity as we look at owl pellets.
Official NPS sourceJoin Homestead National Historical Park for our Fall Campfire Series throughout the month of September. These programs are scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 9, 16, and 30.
Official NPS sourceOn Monday, September 4, 2023, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Freeman School, join in that time honored tradition of the Annual Old Fashioned Spelling Bee. Stick around after the Bee for a free Ice Cream Social, complete with games and activities that schoolchildren would have played back in the homestead era.
Official NPS sourceIt’s a living history extravaganza! Experience history, at Homestead National Historical Park’s Education Center on Saturday, September 2, from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Official NPS sourceCome to Homestead National Historical Park’s Education Center on Sunday, August 13, at 2:00 p.m. to hear artist in residence, Betsy Iversen, as she shares the research and thoughts she developed about the monumental year of 1863. Transferring of land from public domain to the people and using rail to connect the east coast to the west coast were just a couple of the projects that were kicked off in 1863 – changing everything.
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Homestead National Historical Park was awarded a Genealogy Tourism Award by the National Genealogical Society at their 2023 annual conference in Richmond, Virginia. The award recognizes leaders in the promotion of genealogical research.
Official NPS sourceAttention kids of all ages! Fishing has been a way of life for people throughout the world for thousands of years. Join us at Homestead National Historical Park and try your luck as we go fishing! We’ll be at the Heritage Center pond on Saturday, August 5, 2023, at 10 a.m. Fishing poles and bait will be provided, or feel free to bring your own. Participants over 16 will need a Nebraska Fishing Permit if you plan to fish. As always, the event is FREE!
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Join Master Naturalist and butterfly expert Jo Langabee and Natural Resource Specialist Jesse Bolli for a Butterfly Walk on Sunday, July 16, 2023 at 2 p.m. at Homestead National Historical Park. The walk will begin at the Education Center. You are encouraged to bring water, and binoculars or a camera with zoom to help with the identification of the butterflies.
Official NPS sourceCome to Homestead National Historical Park’s Education Center on Thursday, July 13, at 6:00 p.m. to shoot photos with our artist in residence, Rachael Sebastian, and explore prairie wildlife and vegetation in the park.
Official NPS sourceHomestead National Historical Park presents campfire program on Tuesday, July 4, at 7:00 P.M. Join Park Guide Tanner Christy for a campfire program entitled "Free Land for Free Men: The legacy of the Homestead Act for Service Members and Veterans."
Official NPS sourceMarty Raney, host of Discovery Channel's Homestead Rescue, will be at Homestead National Historical Park on Saturday, June 24, at 2:00 PM as part of our Homestead Days activities.
Official NPS sourceHomestead Days 2023 is coming soon! We invite you to Homestead National Historical Park on Friday, June 23, 2023, through Sunday, June 25, 2023, to participate in this weekend full of free events, including a keynote presentation by Marty Raney, host of Discovery Channel’s Homestead Rescue. In addition to Marty Raney, this year’s stage presentations will feature music and dance from the various cultures impacted by the Homestead Act.
Official NPS sourceHomestead National Historical Park is excited to announce the artists chosen for the 2023 Artist-in-Residence program. This is Homestead’s fourteenth year offering artists the opportunity to live at the park and create works of art inspired by the Homestead story and its environment. Homestead is just one of many National Park Service sites that host resident artists to help connect visitors with the park’s meanings using a variety of art forms. Plan to learn more about these artists through our social media channels or visit the park this spring through fall to interact with this year’s Artists-in-Residence while they work and create.
Official NPS sourceJoin Homestead National Historical Park on May 27, 2023 for our annual Tallgrass Prairie Fiddle Festival.
Official NPS sourceBEATRICE, Neb. – Attention kids of all ages! Come out to Homestead National Historical Park, as we celebrate World Migratory Bird Day with a FREE Kids in the Parks Activity. We’ll have a fun craft to do, and a trail hike to view some cool critters! The fun begins at the Homestead Education Center on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at 10 a.m.
Official NPS sourceHomestead National Historical Park is now accepting applications for the summer 2023 Youth Conservation Corps (YCC). YCC is a summer employment program for young men and women, ages 15-18, who work and learn together on projects that further the development and conservation of the natural and cultural resources of the United States.
Official NPS sourceJoin park rangers for a free nature program at Homestead National Historical Park’s Education Center on February 18th at 10:00 a.m. The program will last one hour, weather permitting.
Official NPS sourceHomestead National Historical Park’s Heritage and Education Centers will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 24, 2022. The trails and other outdoor areas are open from dawn to dusk every day, including Thanksgiving Day.
Official NPS sourceGo back in time this holiday season, November 25 thru December 30, to see a beautiful tapestry of winter traditions of those who lived on the Great Plains at the beginning of the Homestead Era. The Homestead Act of 1862 served as an invitation for immigrants to seek free 160-acre homesteads in the United States and become citizens, resulting in the arrival of a variety of cultural and ethnic traditions to the United States. Our Winter Festival remembers this rich heritage and celebrates the cultures of those who settled the Great Plains as well as the cultural traditions that precede the Homestead Act.
Official NPS sourceThis program will take place at the Homestead Education Center at 2:00 p.m. Join Homestead National Historical Park’s historian Jonathan Fairchild for a history lesson to learn about the many National Park Service sites that honor Native American history, the history of Native Americans in what became the southern homesteading states, and the impact of the Homestead Act upon Native Americans.
Official NPS sourceIt’s time once again for Howling Homestead at Homestead National Historical Park! This exciting, fun, and family-friendly event will be held at the Heritage Center on Saturday, October 22, 2022, from 4-7 p.m.
Official NPS sourceCelebrating Our National Parks: A Woven Tribute. The exhibit will be on display in the Education Center from June 1 through July 31, 2022. Artwork in the show is inspired by National Park Service sites across the United States.
Official NPS sourceHomestead National Historical Park hopes you will join us on May 28, 2022, to share your talent and compete in our annual Tallgrass Prairie Fiddling Festival. We look forward to hosting this yearly event that honors the musical traditions of the Homestead Era.
Official NPS sourceHomestead National Historical Park is excited to announce the artists chosen for the 2022 Artist-in-Residence program. This year five talented artists have been selected to live and work at the park.
Official NPS sourceHomestead National Historical Park is now accepting applications for the summer 2022 Youth Conservation Corps (YCC). The YCC is a summer employment program for young men and women, ages 15-18, who work and learn together on projects that further the development and conservation of the natural and cultural resources of the United States.
Official NPS sourceHundreds of thousands of women took advantage of the Homestead Act of 1862, claiming land in their own name. Millions more women participated in the homesteading experience. Park historian Jonathan Fairchild will give a program on the stories of women homesteaders on Sunday, March 13, at 2 p.m. in the Education Center. The program will also be available virtually through our park Facebook account for those unable to attend in person.
Official NPS sourceHomestead National Historical Park will be sharing a video presentation entitled Cultivating Connection: Black Homesteading in America on Sunday, February 27, at 2:00 p.m. at the park’s Education Center and online. Produced by Park Guide Jessica Korgie, this presentation aims to share research tips for beginners and personal perspectives from four descendants who have uncovered and shared their homesteading history on the National Park Service website.
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National Park Service (NPS) Regional Director Bert Frost announced the selection of Betty J. Boyko as superintendent of Homestead National Historical Park located in Beatrice, Nebraska. She currently serves as superintendent at both Fort Scott National Historic Site and Fort Larned National Historic Site in Kansas. She will assume her new role in mid-March.
Official NPS sourceOn Sunday, November 7th Homestead National Historical Park will present a program celebrating Native American Heritage Month. This program will take place at the Homestead Education Center at 2:00 p.m. Join Homestead National Historical Park’s historian Jonathan Fairchild for a history lesson to learn about the many National Park Service sites that honor Native American history, the history of Nebraska and Great Plains Indians, the impact of the Homestead Act upon Native Americans, as well as the story of Chief Standing Bear.
Official NPS sourceHomestead National Historical Park will host living history demonstrations on Saturday, September 4, from 10:00 AM-3:00 PM.
Official NPS sourceHomestead National Historical Park will host an evening Night Sky Event, Friday, September 3, 2021, outside of the Heritage Center, starting at 8 p.m.
Official NPS sourceOn Sunday, November 10th Homestead National Historical Park will connect virtually with park rangers from Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site who will present their program: “People of the Earthlodge: Lifeways of the Hidatsa." This program with Knife River Indian Villages will take place at the Homestead Education Center at 2:00 p.m.
Official NPS sourceCome see what archeologists are learning about effects of the Homestead Act in the northern Plains.
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