Spinning wheel demonstration, 1984. Photo courtesy Homestead National Monument
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Homestead Days in Beatrice
Held at Homestead National Monument and in downtown
Beatrice, this five-day event celebrates the legacy of the
homesteaders who settled America's heartland. Operated by the
National Park Service, the monument is located on the site of the
Daniel Freeman farm, one of the first to be claimed under the
Homestead Act of 1862. The original Homestead Days celebration in
1979 was hosted by monument staff only, but by 1984 attendance had
grown beyond the capacity of the monument facilities. The Beatrice
Chamber of Commerce joined the Park Service in sponsoring the
event, which also received additional funding as a result. New
events were added to the traditional pioneer craft demonstrations
and one-room schoolhouse living history performances. Musical
entertainment, Native American dancers, a live portrayal of Abraham
Lincoln, and a "time tunnel" of history are among the new
attractions. In 1999, nearly 37,000 people attended the events.
Homestead Days is documented in text and 28 photographs.
Originally submitted by: J. Robert Kerrey, Senator.
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The Local Legacies project provides a "snapshot" of American Culture as it was expressed in spring of 2000. Consequently, it is not being updated with new or revised information with the exception of "Related Website" links.
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