Homestead National Historical Park

Thousands of visitors stop to view the oldest restored tallgrass prairie in the National Park Service from the Heritage Center back patio.
The Homestead Act of 1862 transformed the world. Millions were invited to file claims including families, women, immigrants, and formerly enslaved people. Over 10 percent of the United States was homesteaded! The land, long inhabited by indigenous cultures, changed forever. Homesteaders created settlements and farms, drove industrial advancement, and built our nation chasing the American Dream.
Map showing location of park.
Homestead National Historical Park to Host a Living History Extravaganza
Homestead National Historical Park will present a day of living history activities at the Homestead Heritage Center on Saturday, September 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. As the nation commemorates America's 250th anniversary, the event will explore how the ideals of the nation's founding continued to shape the homesteading experience through music, living history demonstrations, and special presentations.
Walk with a ranger at Homestead National Historical Park
Join staff at Homestead National Historical Park’s Education Center on September 2 at 3 p.m. for the monthly walk with a ranger. All ages and abilities are welcome. During the walk, which will take about one hour and cover about a mile of trail, participants will use the prairie and woodland to inspire conversation, learning and sharing. Butterflies, birds and botany are likely topics to be covered.
Volunteer at Homestead National Historical Park by contributing to community science initiatives
Join staff at Homestead National Historical Park’s Education Center on August 21 at 3 p.m. to earn volunteer hours as you document the biodiversity of butterflies of the prairie and woodland. All ages and abilities are welcome. During the walk, which will take about an hour and cover about a mile of trail, participants will work together with the ranger to find and identify as many butterflies as possible.
"Found" on Founders Day: Explore the Tallgrass Prairie at Homestead National Historical Park
Join Homestead National Historical Park for a National Park Service Founders Day program called Found, taking place Sunday, August 23, at 2:00 p.m. at the park's Education Center.
Kids in Parks: Who’s hiding at Homestead National Historical Park?
Attention kids of all ages. Come to the Education Center at Homestead National Historical Park on Saturday, August 8 at 10 a.m. and join us in a free ranger-led activity as we talk about the different types of animals that call the park home. Earn a Junior Ranger badge to take home.
A historic cabin stands next to a concrete path that leads to a plow shaped visitor center
Photo by NPS Photo/Hunter Hendricks
A historic one room schoolhouse
Photo by Homestead National Monument of America
The tallgrass prairie is yellow with goldenrod in full bloom.
Photo by
The tallgrass prairie spans to the Heritage Center on the horizon.
Photo by Mel Mann
A homestead cabin at sunset
Photo by Homestead National Monument of America
Image of the Heritage Center building surrounded by prairie grass.
Photo by Mel Mann, artist in residence of Homestead National Monument of America
Image of a building taken from the parking lot at Homestead National Historical Park.
Photo by NPS