The Palmer-Epard cabin / NPS

The historic Palmer-Epard Cabin at Homestead National Historical Park in Nebraska is open again after a $180,000 restoration funded by the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) Legacy Restoration Fund. Step inside this 1860s cabin and get a firsthand look at the life of determined homesteaders chasing their dreams of a better future.

A GAOA-funded National Park Service Maintenance Action Team that specializes in historic preservation work completed the project which included the removal, replacement, and restoration of damaged and rotten logs. Local logs of the same species (mainly bur oak) were obtained, and period tools were used to replicate ax marks and other imperfections.  

"Homestead National Historical Park is grateful to the National Park Service craftspeople whose expertise in preservation work has secured the structure of one of the nation's oldest symbols of homesteader resolve, the Palmer-Epard Cabin," said Superintendent Betty Boyko. "Watching the team saw, hew, and replace logs as its original builder might have in 1867 was both inspiring and educational for staff and visitors alike." 

The 14-foot by 16-foot cabin was originally built northeast of Beatrice by George Washington Palmer. Like other homesteaders, Palmer was required to build a house, live there for five years, and improve the land to prove his claim and receive patent (ownership) of his homestead. Palmer received his patent on May 15, 1875. Over the years, several different families who made the cabin their home added onto it and its history. In 1950, J. B. Epard donated the cabin to the park.

The cabin and park visitor centers are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Years Day. Homestead National Historical Park has an exciting schedule of events planned throughout the year. Keep up with the latest information by following the park on Twitter (HomesteadNHP) and Facebook (Homestead National Historical Park). For more information on available accommodations please contact Accessibility Coordinator, Amber Kirkendall at 402-223-3514.

GAOA helps address deferred maintenance and repair needs in national parks throughout the country. Supported by revenue from energy development, GAOA provides the National Park Service with up to $1.3 billion per year for five years to make significant enhancements in national parks to ensure their preservation and provide opportunities for recreation, education, and enjoyment for current and future visitors. GAOA has funded more than 100 multimillion-dollar, large-scale infrastructure projects and 300 smaller MAT activities, many of them historic preservation, in national parks throughout the country.