In 1986, Montana's First Lady Jean Schwinden and her brother Julius Christianson donated the second in a series of Centennial Acres at the place where their immigrant parents, Nels and Amanda Christianson, had settled in 1913. Designated the Homestead Acre, this undisturbed parcel on the open plains of eastern Montana honors pioneers drawn to build a livelihood through family farming in a new western state. Managed by the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, the acre is subject to regulations considered necessary to protect the land, its public use, and the enjoyment of the deed holders.