Visit the homestead
There are 3 ways to visit The Homestead.
bunkie
The Glamping Bunkie is a cozy room with queen sized memory foam mattress, electricity, ceiling fan and electric heater,bluetooth speaker and coffee pot. 180 Degrees of floor to ceiling windows. Private on suite patio and firepit included. Watch the deer, chipmunks, multiple song bird species and a multitude of other wildlife right outside the bunkie door!
Access to campground kitchen/ pots, pans, small charcoal grill, plates, utensils. *Wi-Fi available * Property utilizes clean and sanitized Porta Potty System*. $60 a night (2persons max) This is for accommodations only! You may choose to book classes while you stay or not. |
camping
Looking to stay closer to nature? Or perhaps just save a few $ :) . The Campsite offers up close and personal views of the local wildlife. Deer bed down and travel the paths throughout the campsite, as well as, foxes, raccoons, chipmunks, squirrels' rabbits and birds galore! Campsite includes ONE site for : 2 small 1 person tents or 1 med/large 4 person tent. 8-10 people tents will NOT fit here. Private table & chairs and firepit included. *Wi-Fi available. *Property utilizes clean and sanitized Porta Potty System*. $30 a night (4persons max) This is for accommodations only! You may choose to book classes while you stay or not. |
day pass
Don't need accommodations? Just looking to stop by for a class or two? CLASS ONLY options available. *Discount for Bellevue Locals* |
Homesteading classes
Looking to pick up a new trade? Maybe establish a better understanding of a certain topic? Homestead and Hammer is now offering classes geared towards homesteading and self-sustainability. We're offering a variety of HANDS-ON learning subjects including soap making, seed collection and storage, vegetable and flower gardening, forging and many more throughout the year. Read more below on how you can attend a weekend gathering or even just partake in an afternoon class.
You're also more than welcome to book a stay and not attend any classes! A day (or two!) among the trees and nature are just what the doctor ordered.
If you're looking for a GROUP booking- please send us a message.
a CLASSes offered $50
You should schedule at least 2ish hours with instructor.
apothecary
A. 1 Identifying Medicinal Herbs & Plants
1. Homestead Identification Tour 2. Foraging/Collecting Plants 3. In depth study-2 Seasonal Herbs *Harvest,Preparation,Preservation A. 2 Tinctures, Salves, Teas. 1. Recipe/Herb Research 2. Herb Collection/Preparation 3. Turning Herbs into Products |
for-a-ging A.3 Fungi, Mycelium, Moss
1. Identification Tour 2. Edibles & Recipes 3. Preservation *This class scheduled by us ONLY* Follow our FACEBOOK for updates. A. 4 In Season Plants 1. Plant Identification Tour 2. Location of Edibles in Season 3. Proper Gear for foraging. 4. Preservation of findings. |
soap makingA.5 Soap Making
1. Cold Process Soap Making with Goats milk. 2. Discussion on diff soap methods *Free sample bar per student* |
B Classes offered $25
Animal HusbandryB.1Chicken Keeping:EggLayers 1. Eggs/Incubation/Raising Chicks 2. Feed/Medications 3. Illnesses 4. General Information 5. Composting Manure B.2 Raising Organic Meat 1. Breeds of Chickens & Turkeys 2. Feeding/Exercise 3. Butchering/ Processing 4. Preserving/ Cooking B.2 is *Spring & Fall ONLY* |
gardeningB.3 Starting Your Garden 1. Growing Zones, Frost Dates, FA 2. Starting Seeds *Germination,heat mats,lights,soil,etc. 3. Hardening Off/ Transplanting 4. Direct Sowing Seeds B.4 Vegetable Gardening 1. Varieties, Breed Specific Issues 2. Compost/ Soil Testing/ Fertilizer 3. Tomatoes, Tomatoes, Tomatoes! B.5 Flower/Herb Gardening 1. Varieties: Cut Flower Garden 2. Potager Kitchen Garden 3. Seed Saving |
homesteading skills B.6 Food Preservation 1. Water Bath Canning 2. Pressure Canning 3. Dehydrator, Food Saver, etc. |
blade sharpeningB.7 Blade sharpening
1. Grinding Wheel 2. Sharpening Stones 3. Overall Blade Maintenance |
History of propertyB.8 History of Homestead
An extensive overview of the 1800's Lucke family and homestead development. Ties to Ulysses S. Grant & Galena, Illinois! |
Drying flowers/artworkB.9 Dry/Press Botanicals
1. Book Drying 2. Other methods. 3. Creating Artworks |
testimonials
Betsy S
October 22, 2023
The Perfect Solo Fall Getaway
The bunkie was a perfect place for a solo fall getaway! Jessica's homestead was wonderful, and the surrounding town of Bellevue was so sweet and welcoming. The class on keeping chickens was very interesting, and the homemade tea was delicious :)
Derek C.
August 15, 2023
The Bunkie was the perfect start to our trip. The whole property was covered in beautiful plants and the tour Jessica have us of the garden made us appreciate the work it takes to keep a piece of land looking so lovely. Bellevue is a cool little river town that’s definitely worth stopping by, especially if you’re able to stay on this sweet homestead.
Cynthia B
October 6, 2022
We had a wonderful stay at the Glamping Bunkie. It was cozy and comfortable- I never wanted to get out of that bed. Jessica was a wonderful host! We took a tour of her property and learned about the plants and animals in her homestead. Plus, she makes and sells wonderful items- I did some holiday shopping! We plan to return in the spring to see all the flowers in bloom. We also brought our dog and he had fun too. I highly recommend this stay!
Sherri B.
August 22, 2022
We really loved this spot! Having a bed with a “campsite” atmosphere was fantastic. Jessica was a great host and was available for questions and showed a genuine love of her homestead and sharing with others. The classes offered while we were there was a really neat option as well! My husband really enjoyed the knife sharpening class. Would really recommend this place and will visit again!
Maggie L.
recommends this listing.
November 15th, 2021
Spent a long weekend in the bunkie and it was perfect! Jessica was so friendly and shared so much information about the land, plants, and building's history—I highly recommend adding on a plant identification tour (weather and season permitting—I visited in Fall and was still so pleasantly surprised about how much information and greenery was still around) and some of their amazing handmade soap.
Billy H.
recommends this listing.
September 27th, 2021
We came here to reset and spend time with nature. Jessica was a great host and her kindness, wisdom of plants and herbs. It's a must to take her garden tour. We learn so much in learning about gardening, seedings, and herbs. The place is loving. Definitely will come back to camp at her site. The town was a beautiful visit and walk near the river.
Marc B.
recommends this listing.
June 18th, 2021
All I can say is WOW. The Glamping Bunkie has a great vibe morning, noon, and night. Decided to glamp instead of camp at Maquoketa Caves State Park given that it’s a 2-month wait for a camp spot. Bellevue is a bit of a diamond in the rough along the Mississippi. As a Chicagoan, all you hear about is Galena when thinking of a Mississippi River getaway. There’s a farmers market and the new River Ridge brewery with full view of the river.
Read all of our wonderful testimonials here : Reviews - 1860's Botanical Paradise - Hipcamp in Bellevue, Iowa