Homestead National Historical Park

Homestead National Historical Park www.nps.gov/home
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This is the official page for Homestead National Historical Park and it is managed by NPS employees.

Step back in time and discover the skills that helped build communities across the Great Plains.During Homestead Days, v...
06/06/2026

Step back in time and discover the skills that helped build communities across the Great Plains.

During Homestead Days, visitors can explore traditional craft and trade demonstrations that showcase the creativity, resourcefulness, and hard work of homesteading families. Demonstrators will share skills such as quilting, spinning, lacemaking, weaving, porcelain painting, leather working, woodworking, and even early technology like crystal radios.

These hands-on demonstrations offer a glimpse into the everyday tasks that helped families create homes, make clothing, repair tools, and stay connected on the prairie.

Join us June 27-28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and experience the craftsmanship that helped shape the American story.

#250

Final birdie update.They have flown the coop! This is known as fledging, which usually happens 2 or 3 weeks after hatchi...
05/26/2026

Final birdie update.

They have flown the coop!

This is known as fledging, which usually happens 2 or 3 weeks after hatching.

This is your last week to stop by and see "Dust, Drought, and Dreams Gone Dry" on display at our Education Center! We've...
05/24/2026

This is your last week to stop by and see "Dust, Drought, and Dreams Gone Dry" on display at our Education Center! We've loved hearing visitors share their own family stories of the Dust Bowl as they experience the exhibit. What better way to celebrate #250 than sharing our American stories and the pursuit of dreams across generations!

Come and join the fun at the Homestead Tallgrass Prairie Fiddle Festival, taking place on Saturday, May 23rd at our Educ...
05/21/2026

Come and join the fun at the Homestead Tallgrass Prairie Fiddle Festival, taking place on Saturday, May 23rd at our Education Center. The Shaw brothers are a unique multi-instrumentalist duo known for their versatility and creative synergy. They seamlessly move between fiddle, guitar and mandolin as they craft a layered, rich sound that is sure to captivate audiences. Join us as they provide a dueling performance during the Tallgrass Prairie Fiddle Festival.

Registration begins at 9:30am
A free fiddle workshop at 10am
A Jam Session at 11am
Competition begins at 12pm

"(It) looked natural"The Herbert Palmer TranscriptsOn March 13th, 1958, Superintendent Ralph Shaver interviewed Herbert ...
05/19/2026

"(It) looked natural"

The Herbert Palmer Transcripts

On March 13th, 1958, Superintendent Ralph Shaver interviewed Herbert Palmer, the youngest of 10 children born in this cabin. At the time of the interview, Mr. Palmer was 85 years old. These are a few transcribed excerpts from Mr. Palmer’s oral history.

Shaver: Now, do you recall any facts about how your father built this log cabin? Can you tell us something about how he obtained the logs and something about its construction?

Palmer: Well, he homesteaded, here and then he—that was the native logs cut there and hewed and hauled in with the—he had no horses or anything—he just had to deal with oxen. And then the neighbors helped him and completed the building of the log cabin.

Shaver: Now another question: what type of clothing did you have in those days? Where’d you get your clothing—drive in town and get a new suit when you wanted to?

Palmer: No, Mother she’s used a—made her cloth.

Shaver: She made her cloth. Did you ever see her use a spinning wheel?

Palmer: Oh, yes, lots of times.

Shaver: You saw the spinning wheel we have out at the Homestead too, didn’t you? How did you like the looks of that?

Palmer: Looked natural.

Visit the Palmer Epard cabin today, the spinning wheel still looks very natural!

Photo: NPS

Dr. Marguerite Scruggs was returning from church when the sky "turned solid black" on Black Sunday. Despite living in a ...
05/16/2026

Dr. Marguerite Scruggs was returning from church when the sky "turned solid black" on Black Sunday. Despite living in a stucco home with sealed glass windows, she woke up every morning to her bedquilt coated in brown dust. Stop by the Education Center to hear her oral history in our temporary exhibit "Dust, Drought, and Dreams Gone Dry"!

Photo: Library of Congress

Apparently this is the universal sign for “we’re hungry.” 🐦These tiny robins were just born at the park and they already...
05/15/2026

Apparently this is the universal sign for “we’re hungry.” 🐦

These tiny robins were just born at the park and they already know exactly how to let the world know it is time for dinner.

Image: NPS/Amber Kirkendall

Any guesses as to what this piece of equipment is called? We have several pieces of farm equipment behind our Heritage C...
05/13/2026

Any guesses as to what this piece of equipment is called? We have several pieces of farm equipment behind our Heritage Center. If you visit, let us know if you can name them.

Image: NPS/HOME

Read with a park ranger every 3rd Saturday of each month in 2026 at 10:00 a.m.Wonderful for young children and their car...
05/11/2026

Read with a park ranger every 3rd Saturday of each month in 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

Wonderful for young children and their caregivers, all ages of children are welcome to attend these free programs. Listen to a park ranger read a picture book and then participate in a related activity or craft connected to the book's themes. Themes will include National Parks, nature, farm life, homesteading, and much more. All props, books, and craft supplies will be provided by the park ranger.

Every 3rd Saturday of each month in 2026 at 10:00 a.m. Check Homestead’s website for updated book information at: https://www.nps.gov/home/learn/kidsyouth/read-with-a-ranger.htm

May 16, 10 AM – Tractor Mac Arrives at the Farm by Billy Steers

June 20, 10 AM – TBA

"Life, uh, finds a way." - Jurassic ParkWe noticed this the other day, a bird had made a nest for her eggs within the as...
05/09/2026

"Life, uh, finds a way." - Jurassic Park

We noticed this the other day, a bird had made a nest for her eggs within the ashtray bowl on the back of the Heritage Center here at Homestead National Historical Park. Happy Spring!

Address

8523 W State Highway 4
Beatrice, NE
68310

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+14022233514

Website

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