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BLM>Alaska>Programs>Cultural Heritage>Special Celebrations and Anniversaries>Homestead Act 150th Anniversary
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Welcome to the BLM Alaska's celebration 
of 150 years of homesteading!

Distribution of government lands has been an issue since the American Revolution. Two hundred years ago, the General Land Office (which later came the Bureau of Land Management or BLM), began recording claims and boundaries and worked to resolve disputes. Fifty years later in the midst of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Homestead Act on May 20, 1862, making it possible for over 2 million people in 30 states and territories to file an application and lay claim to surveyed government lands, with certain requirements.

In Alaska, the BLM (as the modern equivalent to the General Land Office) is bringing the history of homesteading alive and providing opportunities for people in Alaska today to learn about the roles, tribulations, successes, and challenges homesteaders encountered in settling the land and making it their own. Two of the last homesteaders in Alaska (there were over 10,000 homesteaders in Alaska) are participating, and many events are spearheaded by BLM-Alaska’s historical resource, archaeologist and historian Robert “Bob” King. 
 
Here are Homesteading commemorative events you won’t want to miss:

Homesteading in Alaska

Great Alaska Sportsman Show

Thursday to Sunday, March 29 – April 1 in Anchorage: Visit the BLM-Alaska booth to learn what homesteading is all about. From a beautiful four-panel display, to printed materials and special commemorative posters, this is where you can find it all.

Campbell Creek Science Center presents “Homesteading in Alaska” Fireside Chat

Wednesday, April 11 in Anchorage:  Archaeologist Bob King talks about the Homestead Act and homesteading in Alaska as part of Alaska’s Archaeology Month, and how it helped shape the Alaska we know today.

If you miss the talk, you can listen to it later on Public Radio, on KSKA's show "Addressing Alaskans."

Fairbanks Outdoor Show

Friday to Sunday, April 20-22: The Fairbanks District Office booth will feature information on Homesteading.

“Living History” homesteading booth and parade float on 4th of July 

Anchorage, July 4th: TBD The fun involves a Talking Circle with Alaskan homesteaders;  colorful interpretive displays and materials on homesteading and its history; and for the first time, BLM-Alaska is hosting a float in the city’s popular 4th of July parade. The Glennallen Field Office will also feature a homesteading float in Glennallen’s 4th of July parade.

National Public Lands Day in Slana

Saturday, July 28th: What better place to learn about homesteading than in a place where you can still see failed homesites and imagine the homesteaders of old? Archaeologist Bob King will give a slideshow presentation on Homesteading in Alaska. After the work, there will be fun and games for a feel-good, learn-a-lot day to remember and recognize Alaska’s homesteads for National Public Lands Day.

Alaska State Fair

Aug. 23-Sept. 3 in Plamer: Visit the BLM booth to pick up your homesteading information while browsing displays about the 100th anniversary of the Iditarod National Historic Trail. This is the last year of the Trail’s Centennial.

National Homesteading symposiums: 

Nebraska: On March 29 and 30, BLM-Alaska archaeologist Robert King will lead a BLM-sponsored symposium on homesteading at the Making of the Great Plains 1862-2012 Conference in Lincoln, sponsored by the University of Nebraska and the Homestead of America National Monument. 

Tennessee: On Apr. 19, King will co-lead a similar symposium at the Society for American Archaeology Annual Meeting in Memphis, Tennessee. 

Idaho: On May 6, the Idaho State Historical Society and BLM-Idaho are sponsoring archaeologist Robert King as an invited speaker for a series of talks in Boise and Idaho Falls on homesteading and to lead a workshop at the Idaho State Historical Society Archives on researching homesteading records.

For more information contact:
Alaska State Office
Bureau of Land Management
222 W. 7th Ave., Unit 13
Anchorage, AK 99513
Public Room: 907-271-5960
FAX: 907-271-3684

   
Last updated: 05-01-2012