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NPS/Amber Kirkendall
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Contact: Amber Kirkendall, (402) 223-3514
BEATRICE, Neb. – Go back in time this holiday season, November 29 through December 31, at Homestead National Historical Park’s Education Center and Heritage Center, to see a beautiful tapestry of winter traditions of those who lived on the Great Plains. The Homestead Act of 1862 served as an invitation for immigrants to seek free 160-acre homesteads in the United States, resulting in the arrival of a variety of cultural and ethnic traditions to the United States. The Winter Festival of Prairie Cultures remembers this rich heritage and celebrates the cultures of those who settled to the Great Plains as well as the rich cultural traditions that precede the Homestead Act.
The Winter Festival of Prairie Cultures will feature a new Indigenous art exhibit, and updated decorations and tabletop displays that reflect the spirit and traditions which characterized winter celebrations on the Great Plains.
In addition to the displays, there will be special programs and activities presented on December 1, 8, and 15, 2024. These programs will be at the Education Center. They include:
Sunday, December 1, 2:00 p.m. – Sarah Rowe: Winter Counts and Mythical Beings
Sarah Rowe is a visual artist based in Omaha, Nebraska. Her work opens cross cultural dialogues by utilizing methods of painting, printmaking, textiles, performance, and Native American ceremony in unconventional ways. Rowe will present the painting she created for Homestead National Historical Park and describe its creation. Rowe is of Lakota and Ponca descent.
Sunday, December 8, 2:00 p.m. – Paper Moon Pastries: Holiday Baking Traditions and Palmer-Epard Cabin Baking Competition
Join Lindsey Oelling of Paper Moon Pastries as she shares holiday baking tips and traditions, as well samples of her amazing kolaches and cookies. The program will be followed by a fun baking competition where all are welcome to bring a food creation that is inspired by the Palmer-Epard cabin; this could be a gingerbread house, a cake, a cookie or food sculpture. Oelling will serve as head judge. The competition will be broken into four categories: Youth 7 and under, youth 8 to 16, people over 16 and businesses. The winners of the individual awards will receive $25 gift cards courtesy of the Friends of Homestead and the business winner will get a trophy courtesy of the Friends of Homestead.
Sunday, December 15, 2:00 p.m. – Amber Kirkendall: Holiday Tea Traditions
Join Park Ranger Amber Kirkendall as she explores the rich history of holiday tea traditions. This will include the mulled spice tea tradition that started in Victorian England, the Flaming Tea Hanukkah ritual brought from Eastern Europe and many more. The program will be followed by a tea party so participants can taste some of the traditions for themselves. Participants are encouraged to bring their favorite teacup.
Admission to Homestead National Historical Park and all events is free. For information on available accommodations please contact Accessibility Coordinator, Amber Kirkendall at (402) 223-3514 or amber_kirkendall@nps.gov.
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Last updated: November 26, 2024