Employees at the Homestead National Monument of America in Beatrice are still working to clean up after a water main broke in the visitors center last week.

An official with the Homestead National Monument of America says it appears none of the artifacts damaged by flooding last weekend were ruined.

Hundreds of artifacts were affected when a water main broke in the monument's visitors center in Beatrice.

Park Superintendent Mark Engler said Saturday that 165 of the books that were exposed to water remain in the freezer and book press which he said is part of the natural process of recovery for the books.

Engler said volunteers using an assortment of wet-vacs, fans, dehumidifiers and plastic barriers have helped salvage the artifacts. A preservation expert has been called in to help.

Engler said he hopes to have the building at least partially open by the first part of next week, if mother nature cooperates.

He said cold temperatures and the snow have made it difficult for his employees to get to work and to continue cleaning up.

Engler feels confident they'll be able to fully reverse damage and wants to remind residents that the rest of the park is open.

The Homestead National Monument pays tribute to American homesteaders.

The Homestead Act of 1862 allowed anyone to file for 160 acres of free land after meeting certain conditions. Some 2 million people homesteaded in the United States in the 123 years of the act.