Homestead National Monument of America
Things To Do
At either the Heritage Center or Education Center you can talk with a National Park Ranger about the meaning of this unit in the National Park System, enjoy the video "The Free Land," or browse the book store.
Learn about the Homestead Act of 1862 and the struggles of the pioneers while visiting the museum at the Heritage Center.
Don't miss the Palmer-Epard Cabin near the Education Center. Imagine living in the cabin with ten children.
Be sure to see the restored Tallgrass Prairie and ask the Ranger about the Freeman School.
There are many things to do: explore the historical exhibits and watch the video in the Heritage Center; go picnicking; ask about school programs and special events; explore the Farm Implement Exhibit and the Palmer Epard Cabin at the Education Center; observe tallgrasses, wildflowers, and wildlife on the restored prairie, and ask about activities for children.
Museum Collections
Homestead National Monument of America currently has over 9,000 archeological artifacts, over 7,000 historical objects, almost 1,000 scientific specimens and over 43,000 archival documents or 26.9 linear feet. The total collection size for Homestead National Monument of America is over 60,000 items!
The historical objects at Homestead range from plows used in the 1800s to modern hunting and trapping equipment from Alaska homesteads. Although there is only a little over 100 years difference between the first homesteader, Daniel Freeman and the last homesteader, Kenneth Deardorff, the last homesteader the equipment and needs of the homesteader did not change dramatically.
The museum collection at Homestead National Monument of America has some fantastic donations given by family members of Daniel Freeman as well as significant personal items from the last homesteader himself, Kenneth Deardorff.
Ken Deardorff's documents relating to his homestead include his original patent, dog sled, pelt stretcher, draw knife and his rifle. The park is planning on acquiring the Allis-Chalmers tractor that Mr. Deardorff used on his Alaska homestead. More to come on this exciting story!
A relative of Daniel and Agnes Freeman, Betsy Menzel from Ohio donated Daniel Freeman's sword, a family wedding dress, and photographs. All of these donations have the Homestead National Monument of America Museum Collection a fantastic representation of homesteading life.
Homestead In Depth
News from the Parks
Light Pollution Harms Not Just Stargazers
December 2, 2008 - 1:03pm
For students of astronomy, Sunday and Monday night is the equivalent of a World Cup Final, a new Mac operating system, and a Zeppelin reunion show all rolled into one. That’s because, as Horizons guest blogger Pete Spotts noted in his post Sunday, Jupiter, Venus, and the moon will gather to direct a lopsided frown at North America, an arrangement that won’t happen again for another 44 years.
December 2, 2008 - 1:03pm
For students of astronomy, Sunday and Monday night is the equivalent of a World Cup Final, a new Mac operating system, and a Zeppelin reunion show all rolled into one. That’s because, as Horizons guest blogger Pete Spotts noted in his post Sunday, Jupiter, Venus, and the moon will gather to direct a lopsided frown at North America, an arrangement that won’t happen again for another 44 years.
Tourists Bite on ‘Twilight’ Vampire Tours of Forks, Washington
December 2, 2008 - 12:59pm
Fans of the hit movie “Twilight,” inspired by Stephenie Meyer’s vampire series, are swarming tiny Forks on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, where the novels are set, and checking out “Twilight”-themed tours, hotel packages and even food.
December 2, 2008 - 12:59pm
Fans of the hit movie “Twilight,” inspired by Stephenie Meyer’s vampire series, are swarming tiny Forks on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, where the novels are set, and checking out “Twilight”-themed tours, hotel packages and even food.
Crowds Observe World AIDS Day In GG Park
December 2, 2008 - 12:56pm
People from across the country gathered in Golden Gate Park's National AIDS Memorial Grove Monday to observe the 20th annual World AIDS Day.
December 2, 2008 - 12:56pm
People from across the country gathered in Golden Gate Park's National AIDS Memorial Grove Monday to observe the 20th annual World AIDS Day.
Grounded in God, Green and Glaciers
December 2, 2008 - 12:37pm
Remember when Arizona Sen. John McCain criticized spending millions of taxpayer dollars to fund the DNA of grizzly bears in Montana during one of the presidential debates? “That’s us,” said David Restivo, a Roberts Wesleyan College alumnus and visual information specialist at Glacier National Park in Montana.
December 2, 2008 - 12:37pm
Remember when Arizona Sen. John McCain criticized spending millions of taxpayer dollars to fund the DNA of grizzly bears in Montana during one of the presidential debates? “That’s us,” said David Restivo, a Roberts Wesleyan College alumnus and visual information specialist at Glacier National Park in Montana.
Smokies' Formation Began 500 Million to 600 Million Years Ago
December 2, 2008 - 12:35pm
As the Great Smoky Mountains National Park prepares to celebrate its 75th year, students of history and geology are pondering questions that go back much farther than the park's creation in the 1930s. The most fascinating queries to them concern the actual formation of the mountains, their age and topography.
December 2, 2008 - 12:35pm
As the Great Smoky Mountains National Park prepares to celebrate its 75th year, students of history and geology are pondering questions that go back much farther than the park's creation in the 1930s. The most fascinating queries to them concern the actual formation of the mountains, their age and topography.
