Homestead National Monument of America

The national monument was located here because it is the location of one of the first homesteads. The visitor's center had most of the information, but there were also an education center up the road, as well as outdoor displays.

There were a lot of displays, with information about pretty much every aspect of the homestead life. The Junior Ranger booklet had the kids 'digging' through all of them for the answers they needed for the activities.

Sean particularly like the goat-powered machines...

The differences in schooling were amazing! The kids were astounded at how little they had, and how many different things they had to learn. Much of what kids learned back then related to farming, and made no sense whatsoever to my little ones!

There were more than just "soddies" - the sod homes present in the mid-west.  Different places that were homesteaded had different types of homesteaders. The kids found it difficult to understand how someone could live in a house made out of sod - or even a tent - for years at a time.

Sean found it hard to believe a few little grasshoppers could ruin a crop.  The displays sometimes just aren't enough to tell the story...

Anyway, another Park Ranger, and another pledge to protect the National Parks - and another Junior Ranger Badge! It had been a couple stops since we completed one, but the kids took on the challenge just the same. They really do love learning!

A part of the monument was the Freeman School - a recreation of the old 1-room school house. Although the exhibit wasn't open just then, we decided to get out and walk around and see what we could see of it.

Sean inspecting the premises...

Yep, it's just one room!