National Park Service Grant for African American Homesteaders Historic Resource Study at HOME and NICO

This project will explore the history, circumstances, and outcomes of African American homesteading experiences in the Great Plains. It provides new scholarship on this little known history by focusing on three historic venues of African American homesteading: (i) DeWitty, Neb.; (ii) Nicodemus, Kan.; (iii) Empire, WY.; and it will also include, if possible, a fourth focus, (iv) isolated African American homesteaders (such as the Shores family in Custer County, Neb.) elsewhere in the Great Plains, if a sufficient number of such homesteaders can be identified. The purpose of the research will be to identify who the homesteaders and their families were, what land claims they made, how successful they were in making claims and gaining ownership, and other information about their educational, cultural, social, recreational, and other life experiences as homesteaders. An effort will be made to document the specific landscapes occupied by African American homesteaders. This project will also benefit the interpretive programs at both Homestead National Monument of America (HOME) and Nicodemus National Historic Site (NICO) in addition to filling a gap in the scholarship of this important national homesteading story.

RECIPIENT AGREES TO:
1. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln and its Center for Great Plains Studies will provide new scholarship on this little known history of African American Homesteaders by focusing on three historic venues of African American homesteading: (i) DeWitty, Neb.; (ii) Nicodemus, Kan.; (iii) Empire, Wy.; and it will also include, if possible, a fourth focus, (iv) isolated African American homesteaders (such as the Shores family in Custer County, Neb.) elsewhere in the Great Plains, if a sufficient number of such homesteaders can be identified. This project will benefit the interpretive programs at both HOME and NICO in addition to filling a gap in the scholarship of this important national homesteading story. It will result in a monograph length printed study and we anticipate a second digital component to provide a broad media outlet of the information. This will result in new historical scholarship on the topic of African American Homesteaders and transfer this knowledge in a digital form available to the general public. The research will be to identify who the homesteaders and their families were, what land claims they made, how successful they were in making claims and gaining ownership, and other information about their educational, cultural, social, recreational, and other life experiences as homesteaders. An effort will be made to document the specific landscapes occupied by black homesteaders.

2. In addition in exploring the history, circumstances, and outcomes of African American homesteading experiences in the Great Plains the study will also provide NPS with the research and factual basis for updating its interpretive programming at Homestead National Monument of America (HOME) and Nicodemus National Historic Site (NICO).

3. The Center for Great Plains Studies will establish an Advisory Board of experts and authors to provide guidance, feedback, and suggestions both as the research proceeds and of the draft final product.

4. The Center for Great Plains Studies will be prepare a Historical Resource Study (HRS) of monograph-length (approximately 30,000 words) presenting the research findings. It will result in 50 printed adhesive bound copies of the study The Center retains the right to also publish research in appropriate academic outlets.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AGREES TO:

1. The NPS will collaborate with the University in the conception of the study and provide much of the secondary information for the NICO segment of the HRS.
2. The HOME park historian will assist in the research of the primary sources.

3. The MWR History Program will provide additional peer review and serve as advisors to the University research team. This latter effort will include sharing research information gathered by the MWR Underground Railroad /Network to Freedom coordinator. The Regional History program will also coordinate the draft review of the HRS.

4. HOME will also provide subject matter expertise in the development of the digital media products.