Homestead National Historical Park readying cultural display

BEATRICE – The Homestead National Historical Park west of Beatrice opens their Winter Festival of Prairie Cultures this Thanksgiving weekend. There will be ten trees showing various nations’ holiday culture at the Education Center, and another six at the Heritage Center.

Park Ranger Amber Kirkendall says the displays celebrate immigration and the Homestead Act, joining the traditions of settlers’ home countries with the United States. There will also be consecutive presentations over three Sundays in December….the first one this weekend.

"We know that people came from a settlement in Russia, which is where European Jewish people were relegated to...and came here on the promise of the Homestead Act. We also have a new Indigenous display. Our artist came to our Homestead Days and worked with the people at Homestead Days and created one specifically for the park."

 

 
Sunday, December 8th, Lindsey Oelling of Paper Moon Pastries of Cortland is putting on a holiday traditions baking program.

"Come to this program. You'll be able to eat some of her baked goods while you learn from her. Afterward, she's judging our Second Annual Palmer-Epard Cabin contest. You only have to make it out of food. It doesn't have to be gingerbread. Oftentimes it's gingerbread or graham crackers...but it's supposed to look like the Palmer-Epard Cabin. There's two different youth categories....and a business or club category."

Kirkendall will put on the final Sunday presentation in December on Holiday Tea Traditions around the world, that would have been brought to the United States. Visitors should bring their favorite tea cup….to sample some of the varieties.

The Winter Festival of Prairie Cultures begins after Thanksgiving Day and displays will be in place until the New Year.