homesites/museums here.
Laura Ingalls Wilder 2014 Season Ends
Pepin, WI – After October 15, 2014 closed daily, but re-open Oct 15th – Oct 19th and Oct 24th – 26th. Closing for the season Oct. 26th. They should re-open for the town of Pepin celebration on the Saturday only, Hometown Holidays, December 6, 2014 – December 7, 2013 (all-day).
Independence, KS – Closed October 31, 2014, They will also be closed Tues., October 14th, Thurs., October 16th, and Sun., October 19th due to scheduling conflicts. Normal fall hours are Tues.-Sat. 10 am – 5 pm, Sun. 1 pm – 5 pm and closed Mon. – Watch for their event schedule for next year to be published on their website in early 2015. They aren’t doing Christmas shopping this year, but again this year they are doing a special fundraiser with premiums from their gift shop. They are looking to raise $3500.00 to cover unmet expenses and have projects thought up that could certainly use more.
Walnut Grove, MN – Museum grounds closed for the season November 1, 2014, but their Gift Shop/Visitor Center will remain open during November and December from 10 am – 4 pm, Monday – Saturday. After Christmas it will be open Monday – Friday, same hours, until April 2015.
Burr Oak, IA – Closed October 19, 2014. Beginning in September they have reduced hours. In October they are open Thurs.-Sat. 10 am-4p m and Sunday noon-4 pm.
De Smet, SD –
Memorial Society – open all year with slightly reduced hours during winter, Mon.- Fri. 9 am – 4pm. They will close December 22-January 1 for Christmas and New Years.
Ingalls Homestead – Open depending on the weather through October and then closed October 31, 2014, Office remains open for making reservations, etc. Call and leave a message if they don’t pick up. Scheduled activities only take place through September 30th. People are welcome to walk around even after they are closed for the year. Look for maps in plastic holders beside visitor center/gift shop doors.
Mansfield, MO – Season ends November 15, 203. Winter hours are November 16 – December 15 by appointment only (call ahead). They are having a one day Christmas event December 6, 2014 (Date likely, but still tentative).
Malone, NY – Closed Sept. 30, 2014, Can arrange tours by appointment if volunteers available . Minimum admission is $25 for three or less. Four or more admitted at regular price. Arrange by e-mailing farm@almanzowilderfarm.com Re-opens for Christmas With Almanzo event (1 Day) December 6th, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. For this event admissions free. Come and enjoy readings from Farmer Boy Christmas chapter in the parlor of the house at 11:30 and 1:00. (Adults must accompany and remain with child.) Enjoy cookies, mulled cider, Christmas carols, and children’s activities. Come visit our gift store for last minute shopping with complimentary gift wrapping for purchased items. “Happy Christmas!”
Spring Valley, MN – Only open on weekends for the rest of the month of October. Closed October 31, 2014. They reopen for Christmas teas. Teas will be Dec. 6-7 with sittings at 12:30 pm each day. It is a full lunch set in a Victorian home that was built in 1888. Reservations required for the teas. The cost for the tea is $10. They will also be having house tours that same week-end from 1pm-4pm each day. The cost for the tours is $7 and includes three area homes. For more info call 507-346-7659.
Keystone, SD – Closed September 15, 2014.
Vinton, IA – Pat Barr passed along this information: “Our hours are the same year round – 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. – Monday through Friday. All but the museum is available. The roof is now done and work can be started/finished on the inside of the building – I believe that all the ceiling tiles have been replaced – but, there still needs to be painting, floor coverings, and possibly dry wall. Once third floor has been completed, the Society will start working on the museum. There is still plenty to see without the museum. For large groups, members of the Society can display historical artifacts in the auditorium. The makeshift tunnels, the fence, etc. are down. People can now come in the front door of Old Main once again. A group larger than five should contact me – all others are welcome to drop in. My phone number is: 319-472-5221, Extension 1110. My e-mail is: pbarr@iowa-braille.k12.ia.us “
Sarah S. Uthoff blogs at TrundleBed Tales; look for her on Facebook, Twitter , YouTube, Blog Talk Radio, Google+, LinkedIn, and Academia.edu Laura Ingalls Wilder Legacy and Research Association, President.
October usually is about the end of the main Laura Ingalls Wilder season for the year. If you plan a Laura trip during or after October, make sure you call ahead. They may or may not be able to accommodate you by opening the museum, etc. or giving lists of what there is to see. On the plus side you get autumn foliage and then snow photos. I called around to find out when the Laura museums were officially closing for the year. Find contact information for the Forgot Password