Homestead National Monument in Nebraska
Located near Beatrice in southeastern Nebraska, the Homestead National Monument of America is a unique blend of history, conservation, and community involvement, representative of the broader transformation of the American frontier. Preservation efforts for the site began in 1936 after a local newspaper in Beatrice publicized a homestead claims shack and an invitation from a prominent resident for preservation attempts.
The most instrumental figure in the establishment and development of the Monument, however, was arguably Nebraska Representative Charles J. McNulty who introduced an unsuccessful bill in 1936 to establish a national park. After the continued lobbying by McNulty, along with members of the Beatrice Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Senator George W. Norris of Nebraska in 1936 introduced the bill that would become Public Law 75-441. On March 19, 1936, legislation established the Homestead National Monument, with a national scope rather than just a small Nebraska endeavor.
One notable feature is the Heritage Center which opened on June 22, 2007. Funded in part by a combination of monies, bond funds and public as well as private monetary transactions, the substantial building showcases exhibits dedicated to the homestead movement which transformed millions of people into land-owning individuals, reshaping and forging a nation.
Out on the 100-acre tallgrass prairie surrounding the Heritage Center, small-footprint grazing to stimulate growth and an impressive effort to reintroduce native plant and animal life such as prairie clover, coneflowers, black-eyed susans and monarch butterflies all help recreate the unique natural environment around the Monument that played an epic key role for homesteaders many years ago and are considered unique today.
Those who are paying attention as they are traveling through could catch multiple sections that showcase "freedoms road", also the final resting place of many American Indian tribes who were historically affected in those regions and a marker describing soldier's wife, Caroline and her hardship as she and her husband went north along this path during our historical westward journey.
Some research has taken place regarding homesteading to reflect on or stimulate more exploration. Further studies or new academic discovery of this pivotal era can give readers an even deeper understanding of that time frame and the families that made the extreme choice of pulling up stakes with their dreams set big on establishing land and future prosperity.
Furthermore, this rich, fertile land which made the nation's natural resources, public and private available, was known and prized by settlers for growing vegetables such as carrots, potatoes and above all else, prized winter squash. While modern farming techniques make many food products currently all readily available through normal grocery means and year-round commercial agricultural supplies today this was never commonly the case then.
Cecil Kramer, another pioneer settler remains influential through artifacts exhibited with a cabin remains which allowed an example of individual freedom and represents an era in human progress in more far greater detail.
The most instrumental figure in the establishment and development of the Monument, however, was arguably Nebraska Representative Charles J. McNulty who introduced an unsuccessful bill in 1936 to establish a national park. After the continued lobbying by McNulty, along with members of the Beatrice Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Senator George W. Norris of Nebraska in 1936 introduced the bill that would become Public Law 75-441. On March 19, 1936, legislation established the Homestead National Monument, with a national scope rather than just a small Nebraska endeavor.
One notable feature is the Heritage Center which opened on June 22, 2007. Funded in part by a combination of monies, bond funds and public as well as private monetary transactions, the substantial building showcases exhibits dedicated to the homestead movement which transformed millions of people into land-owning individuals, reshaping and forging a nation.
Out on the 100-acre tallgrass prairie surrounding the Heritage Center, small-footprint grazing to stimulate growth and an impressive effort to reintroduce native plant and animal life such as prairie clover, coneflowers, black-eyed susans and monarch butterflies all help recreate the unique natural environment around the Monument that played an epic key role for homesteaders many years ago and are considered unique today.
Those who are paying attention as they are traveling through could catch multiple sections that showcase "freedoms road", also the final resting place of many American Indian tribes who were historically affected in those regions and a marker describing soldier's wife, Caroline and her hardship as she and her husband went north along this path during our historical westward journey.
Some research has taken place regarding homesteading to reflect on or stimulate more exploration. Further studies or new academic discovery of this pivotal era can give readers an even deeper understanding of that time frame and the families that made the extreme choice of pulling up stakes with their dreams set big on establishing land and future prosperity.
Furthermore, this rich, fertile land which made the nation's natural resources, public and private available, was known and prized by settlers for growing vegetables such as carrots, potatoes and above all else, prized winter squash. While modern farming techniques make many food products currently all readily available through normal grocery means and year-round commercial agricultural supplies today this was never commonly the case then.
Cecil Kramer, another pioneer settler remains influential through artifacts exhibited with a cabin remains which allowed an example of individual freedom and represents an era in human progress in more far greater detail.
