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Homestead NHP

@HomesteadNHP

Official National Park Service site dedicated to the Homestead Act of 1862 managed by park staff. Retweet & Comments do not imply endorsement.

 Beatrice, NE
nps.gov/home
Joined September 2009
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Photo by Homestead NHP (@HomesteadNHP)Photo by Homestead NHP (@HomesteadNHP)Photo by Homestead NHP (@HomesteadNHP)Photo by Homestead NHP (@HomesteadNHP)Photo by Homestead NHP (@HomesteadNHP)Photo by Homestead NHP (@HomesteadNHP)Photo by Homestead NHP (@HomesteadNHP)Photo by Homestead NHP (@HomesteadNHP)Photo by Homestead NHP (@HomesteadNHP)Photo by Homestead NHP (@HomesteadNHP)
Come to the EC on Saturday, November 14, 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. 📷: Bison herd - Little America Flat; Jim Peaco; May 2005; Catalog #18214d; Original #IT8M2608
A bison is seen in the foreground, with several other bison in the background in an open area of Yellowstone National Park.

ALT A bison is seen in the foreground, with several other bison in the background in an open area of Yellowstone National Park.

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Homestead goes Batty for Bats! It’s National Bat Week! 🦇 Celebrate with #HomesteadNHP by watching our video on bat research. Eight bat species call the park home, all helping control insect pests and supporting our ecosystem. Watch here: go.nps.gov/1gexzq #parkscience
Bat Study at Homestead

Bat Study at Homestead

This study seeks a threatened specie and more information about how bats utilize park habitat.

nps.gov
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Howling Homestead returns Oct 24 at 4 p.m.! Join us for storytelling, science magic, animal ambassadors, raptors, and a prairie hike. Free event—first 100 kids get a pumpkin! Hot cider & cookies. Dress for the weather—no costumes, please. #homestead #findyourpark #nps Photo: NPS
A great horned owl is pictured with a wall in the background.

ALT A great horned owl is pictured with a wall in the background.

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Ice Cream the Full Scoop by Gail Gibbons is Oct.'s Read With A Ranger book! Gibbons details the history of ice cream. We will have a paper ice-cream craft to make as well. Read with a ranger every 3rd Sat. of each month at 10:00 a.m. Nov. 21 – Hey, Hey, Hay by Christy Mihaly
Words say Read With A Ranger. Illustration of tan Ranger hat on a blue background sits above an illustrated open book with images of nature and farm life (chicken, tractor, leaf, squirrel, barn, farmer) coming out of the pages. Image: NPS

ALT Words say Read With A Ranger. Illustration of tan Ranger hat on a blue background sits above an illustrated open book with images of nature and farm life (chicken, tractor, leaf, squirrel, barn, farmer) coming out of the pages. Image: NPS

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Join us Saturday, October 10 at 7:00 pm for “American as Apple Pie: Baseball and the Homestead Act.” Discover how baseball shaped homesteading communities. Meet at the fire pit behind the Education Center. Lawn chairs and blankets welcome! 📸: Dempster baseball team, c. 1910.
Image of a baseball team posing for photos.

ALT Image of a baseball team posing for photos.

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Attention kids of all ages! Come to the Education Center at #HomesteadNHP on Saturday, October 10, at 10 a.m. and join us in a free ranger-led activity as we solve a mystery about leaves and fall colors. Come dressed for the weather. Jackets, hats, and gloves are recommended.
An images of fall leaves in a vibrant red color with a building and prairie in the background.

ALT An images of fall leaves in a vibrant red color with a building and prairie in the background.

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Join Artist-in-Residence Izzy Anderson on Saturday, Oct 3, at 10 am at our Education Center as she shares her passion for art and the National Park Service. As a trained pianist and skilled painter, she combines her love of art and music into unique works. #art #piano
Painting of a prairie dog with mountains in the background attached to a piece of piano music.

ALT Painting of a prairie dog with mountains in the background attached to a piece of piano music.

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Join us at #HomesteadNHP on Oct 3, at 7 p.m. for a ranger-led night sky event! Explore Saturn's rings, the Milky Way, and more with telescopes. Bring your own or use ours. Red-lens lighting is provided, and jackets and gloves are recommended. #HomesteadNHP #250 #Astronomy
Image of a park ranger looking through a telescope.

ALT Image of a park ranger looking through a telescope.

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A look back! Howling Homestead started in 1998. You can hear stories, watch a “mad scientist”, see raptors and reptiles, prairie hike with a ranger, and do crafts. Refreshments provided by Friends of Homestead. Join us at the next Howling Homestead on October 24th! 📸:NPS
Image from Homestead NHP (@HomesteadNHP)
Image from Homestead NHP (@HomesteadNHP)
Image from Homestead NHP (@HomesteadNHP)
Image from Homestead NHP (@HomesteadNHP)
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Join Park Guide Tanner Christy on Saturday, Sept 26, 7 pm, at #HomesteadNHP's Education Center for a free campfire program on the Medal of Honor and Homesteaders who were awarded it. Bring your own chair or use those we provided! #MedalOfHonor #HomesteadNHP 📸Library of Congress
Image of a star shaped medal suspended from a piece of flag colored ribbon.

ALT Image of a star shaped medal suspended from a piece of flag colored ribbon.

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Help us count critters, like this praying mantis! Join #HomesteadNHP on Sept 26 for National Public Lands Day! Enjoy guided nature walks at 8 am, 10 am, and 12:30. Learn to use science apps and document the different species that live in the park. #PublicLandsDay #NatureWalks
Image from Homestead NHP (@HomesteadNHP)
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Hike and hear the hoots! Join us Sat, Sept 19, at 7 p.m. at Homestead National Historical Park's Education Center for a free ranger-led owl study! Come dressed for the weather, bring insect repellent, jackets & flashlights. #HomesteadNHP #Homesteading #250 #Nature Image: NPS
Image of a Great Horned Owl photographed on a trail camera.

ALT Image of a Great Horned Owl photographed on a trail camera.

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The Girl Who Loves Bugs by Lily Murray and Jenny Lovlie is September’s Read With A Ranger book! After the book, let’s go on a short bug hunt along a prairie trail. Read with a park ranger every 3rd Saturday of each month in 2026 at 10:00 a.m. #Read
Words say Read With A Ranger. Illustration of tan Ranger hat on a blue background sits above an illustrated open book with images of nature and farm life (chicken, tractor, leaf, squirrel, barn, farmer) coming out of the pages.

ALT Words say Read With A Ranger. Illustration of tan Ranger hat on a blue background sits above an illustrated open book with images of nature and farm life (chicken, tractor, leaf, squirrel, barn, farmer) coming out of the pages.

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A new traveling exhibit honors the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists at our Ed. Center. It will be on display through Oct. 9th. Made possible by the NE section of @rangelands and Nebraska Grasslands Alliance. #NPS #IYRP2026 #Grasslands #Rangelands #Pastoralists
International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists exhibit that consists of three panels depicting a rangeland. The scene includes a woman analyzing grass roots, an exploring child, grazing cattle, birds, and monarch butterflies.

ALT International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists exhibit that consists of three panels depicting a rangeland. The scene includes a woman analyzing grass roots, an exploring child, grazing cattle, birds, and monarch butterflies. 

Backside of International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists exhibit panels. Texts and bullet points outlining the local, North American, and global impact of rangelands.

ALT Backside of International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists exhibit panels. Texts and bullet points outlining the local, North American, and global impact of rangelands. 

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Kids of all ages, join us at Homestead National Historical Park's Education Center on Sept 12, 10 a.m. for a free ranger-led owl pellet investigation! Dress for weather; sunscreen and insect repellent recommended. #HomesteadNHP #Homesteading #250 #Nature Image: NPS
A barred owl is pictured on a tree limb.

ALT A barred owl is pictured on a tree limb.

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Join Ranger Jess Sunday, Sept 13, 2pm at Homestead NHP for FOUND – a free tallgrass prairie walk & craft activity! Visitors should dress for outdoor walking and weather conditions. #RangerProgram #TallgrassPrairie #HomesteadNHP
An image of a woman in a ranger hat with the bright sun and prairie grass around her. She is ready for a ranger walk.

ALT An image of a woman in a ranger hat with the bright sun and prairie grass around her. She is ready for a ranger walk.

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Are you the 🐝 QUEEN BEE 🐝 of spelling? Join us Labor Day, 10 a.m., Freeman School! Contestants in five age categories: under 7, 7-9, 10-12, 13-15, and 16+. There is no fee to participate and registration begins at 9:30 a.m.! #SpellingBee #BeatriceLibrary 📸: Sara Walford
Emcee Morgan Fox handing a first-place trophy to a spelling bee champion in the historic Freeman School.

ALT Emcee Morgan Fox handing a first-place trophy to a spelling bee champion in the historic Freeman School. 

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Join #HomesteadNHP on September 5, at 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for Living History Extravaganza. There will be live music, farm equipment, homestead activities, and more. Community organizations will also join us for the day. #LivingHistory #250 #AmericanHistory #BeatriceNE 📸: NPS
Collage of five images featuring a man operating a John Deere tractor, a woman demonstrating how to make a corn husk doll, the Statue of Liberty, a historical interpreter in period clothing, and a U.S. Air Force band performing outdoors for a crowd.

ALT Collage of five images featuring a man operating a John Deere tractor, a woman demonstrating how to make a corn husk doll, the Statue of Liberty, a historical interpreter in period clothing, and a U.S. Air Force band performing outdoors for a crowd.

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Try hands-on activities at #HomesteadNHP on September 5, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Make button toys, cornhusk dolls, and watch sewing and spinning demos. Experience these activities that were part of homestead life for all ages! #LivingHistory #Homesteading #250 #AmericanHistory 📸: NPS
A woman sits at a table holding a handmade cornhusk doll. Cornhusks, scissors, string, and other craft supplies are spread across the table.

ALT A woman sits at a table holding a handmade cornhusk doll. Cornhusks, scissors, string, and other craft supplies are spread across the table.

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See vintage farm equipment in action at #HomesteadNHP, September 5, beginning at 10 a.m., Blue Valley Antiques will use vintage farm equipment to disk and drill the demonstration field at the Heritage Center. 📸: NPS #LivingHistory #FarmHistory #Homesteading #250
Vintage farm equipment is used during a farming demonstration at Homestead National Historical Park.

ALT Vintage farm equipment is used during a farming demonstration at Homestead National Historical Park.

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