28 May Who’s at Homestead?

Hi everyone! My name is Lindsay Ross and I am the Fish and Feathers intern at Homestead National Historic Park located in Beatrice, Nebraska. We are known for being located on the land of one of first claims made after the passage of the Homestead Act of 1862. The Homestead Act of 1862 granted 160 acres of land to the head of the household and after living and keeping the land for 5 years, homesteaders were granted ownership of the land. This Homestead Act was very influential in changing immigration patterns in the U.S. because non-citizens were also eligible for free land if they planned on obtaining citizenship. The Homestead Act also granted women and formerly enslaved men land claims as well. What sparked my interest about the Homestead’s history was that African-American rural communities were able to form as a result of the Homestead Act. The Homestead Act was also in effect for 123 years in 30 states.