On Sunday, September 29 at 2 p.m. Homestead National Monument of America artist-in-residence Marjorie Savage will present her program “Major Tenney's Glorious Red River Valley Colony: A Tale of Deals, Dynasties, and Disasters on the Minnesota Prairie" in the Homestead National Monument of America Education Center.
In 1864, the United States government granted the Northern Pacific Railroad nearly 40 million acres of land in exchange for a promise to build a transcontinental railroad from Lake Superior to Puget Sound. The railroad’s destiny depended on selling and settling that land. Marjorie’s presentation will tell the tale of Civil War veteran Major Luman H. Tenney, who made a deal with the Northern Pacific to establish the railroad’s largest homestead colony and a new railroad town in the Red River Valley of Western Minnesota.
Marjorie will be in residence at Homestead National Monument of America from September 26 through October 9. During her stay at the monument, Marjorie will work on her writing and research. Visitors are welcome to visit the monument and interact with her.
“We are excited to have Marjorie with us as an Artist-in-Residence," stated Superintendent Mark Engler. “Her writing on the settlement of railroad lands showcases an aspect of westward expansion that expands on our story of the Homestead Act of 1862."
Remember, Homestead National Monument of America has an exciting schedule of events planned for 2019. Keep up with the latest information by following us on Twitter (HomesteadNM) and Facebook (HomesteadNM).
Homestead National Monument of America is a unit of the National Park Service located four miles west of Beatrice, Nebraska and 45 miles south of Lincoln. Current hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free of charge. For additional information, please call 402-223-3514 or visit http://www.nps.gov/home/.
EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICATM
The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.
Tags: homestead national monument of america artist in residence artist-in-residence writer writing homestead act of 1862 homestead act westward expansion settlement
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
