The homesteading era in the United States began in 1862, when Congress passed new provisions for the settlement of public land under the Homestead Act. The Homestead Act of 1862 was a revolutionary concept for distributing public land in American history.Thousands of women took advantage of the Homestead Act of 1862 that offered free federal land in the United States. Join us for a workshop to learn about the Cook County Assessor's Office and homeowner exemptions. Public Act 95-644 created this homestead exemption for counties implementing the Alternative General Homestead Exemption (AGHE). Join us for a workshop to learn about the Cook County Assessor's Office and homeowner exemptions. Students will be put into six cooperative groups. Carving a homestead farm out of raw land on the far frontier in 1862 (Western Minnesota?