Wilder Homestead - Almanzo & Laura Ingalls Wilder Association

Fun

Loved touring the Wilder homestead! Our tour guide Mary was very informative.

Note: the last tour of the day begins at 3:00 sharp, so plan accordingly.nnThis was a very interesting look into the world of Farmer Boy, Laura Ingalls Wilder's book about her husband's childhood. THE HOUSE IS REMARKABLY INTACT. Anything that has been restored has been painstakingly researched, but MOST of the house and its furnishings are original. The barns are restorations using original foundations and some additional buildings have been added to demonstrate what a working farm of the period would have been like.nnThe tour guide was fantastic and accommodated questions of all sorts. Only my 15-month-old was bored by the tour. The others (ages 11-4) enjoyed it and stayed engaged the entire time (about 1.5 hours).nnThe admission fee is very affordable and the tour is EXCELLENT. Maybe re-read Farmer Boy before you go, because so much of the tour is based on scenes and events in the book.nnThere's a gift shop with items at varying price points and many books. There's also a small self guided museum. There's a cooler with some drinks, but no food is really available on premises. There is, however, a covered picnic area with many tables on a concrete foundation.nnI highly recommend a visit to this site, especially for any Laura Ingalls Wilder fans.

It’s amazing. Just like it was back then.nMy children loved it as well as we have most of the Wilder books.

I have a special fondness for this Museum as it's located only five miles from my hometown. I happen to visit during one of their annual events. The house is intact exactly the way it was for Almanzo growing up. The barns had to be torn down but we're rebuilt to the exact specifications that Almanzo had stated. They have a great collection of all things Little House on the Prairie and lots of examples of neat carriages and rickshaws that were used in the 1800's. The staff of volunteers were really wonderful and made you feel very welcome and had answers for all of our questions. It's such a beautiful setting for a wedding as there is space for a tent and lots of room to walk around. Plan to spend between 1 and 2 hours as there is a lot to see and enjoy. Be sure to check out their website for other neat upcoming events!!