We’ve got a super bunch of events this May. From clean up events for sites to TV events to the musical. There is a little something for everyone this month.
Pepin WI
Home at Laura’s Place – 9:00 am to 5:00pm (2nd weekend, Saturday and Sunday)
May 11-12, 2024
Visit the Little House Wayside in Pepin, WI on these special weekends to see the cabin fully furnished and re-enactors demonstrating the arts of daily living in the 1870s. This is a cooperative activity of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Days Committee, and the Austin Tea Party Players.
50th Anniversary Cast Reunion Event – Villa Bellezza Winery and Vineyards in Pepin, WI – May 10-11, 2024, LaCrosse WI – May 12, 2024 (See more detail under cast reunion)
Independence KS
This year Prairie Days has been changed into a cast reunion event. There is more information under the reunion events section.
50th Anniversary Event – Independence, KS – Prairie Days-A LHOTP Cast 50th Celebration on May 31 – June 2, 2024
Burr Oak IA
Laura’s Sack Lunch Drive-Thru Meal – May 5, 2024
A fundraising drive through featuring the Winnesheik County Cattlemen. It also includes an open house at the new school building with live music, presentations by their Little Miss Lauras, and refreshments.
Sarah S. Uthoff is a nationally known Laura Ingalls Wilder authority and has presented at five of the Wilder homesites, many times at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, many conferences and numerous libraries, museums, and events around the Midwest. She is the main force behind Trundlebed Tales fighting to bring the History, Mystery, Magic, and Imagination of Laura Ingalls Wilder and other greats of children’s literature and history to life for a new generation. How can you help? Attend one of her programs, schedule one yourself, watch her videos, listen to her podcast, look at her photos, and find her on Facebook , Twitter , LinkedIn , SlideShare, and Academia.edu . Professionally she is a reference librarian at Kirkwood Community College and former director of the Oxford (Iowa) Public Library.
It’s not always easy to find out about what’s going on for Laura Ingalls Wilder events around the country. I finally decided that current information is probably best posted on a month-by-month basis so for current information search this site for the name of the month you are looking for and the word “event” (for example March 2024 Laura Ingalls Wilder Events).
Let me know if I’m missing any. Most of these events are annual but check with the group hosting the event for exact dates for following years. There are a few events that no longer exist.
I have enough information that I want to post what I have for 2024. The events I haven’t gotten dates for yet still have 2023 dates and are italicized. I’ll update them as I get more information.
Or find it wherever you get your podcasts under Trundlebed Tales.
Silver Lake October 2018
Pepin WI
Laura Ingalls Wilder’s 157th birthday is February 7, 2024. They’ll be celebrating in Pepin at the Little House Wayside, the cabin at her birth site, on February 3, 2024 from Noon-2:00pm. Come on by!
Home at Laura’s Place – 9:00 am to 5:00pm (2nd weekend, Saturday and Sunday)
May 10-12, 2024
June 8-9, 2024
July 13-14, 2024
August 10-11, 2024
Visit the Little House Wayside in Pepin, WI on these special weekends to see the cabin fully furnished and re-enactors demonstrating the arts of daily living in the 1870s. This is a cooperative activity of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Days Committee, and the Austin Tea Party Players.
50th Anniversary Cast Reunion Event – Villa Bellezza Winery and Vineyards in Pepin, WI – May 10-11, 2024, LaCrosse WI – May 12, 2024 (See more detail under cast reunion)
Laura Days – September 14 & 15, 2024
This is their big Laura event of the year. Traditionally they include the most participants (including adults) who dress in prairie clothes, a regional fiddle contest, and a Traditional Crafts demonstration area.
Hours
2024 Season Opens: May 1, 2024
Open 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Daily (including weekends & holidays) from May 1st thru October 26, 2024 (including Memorial Day, July 4, & Labor Day).
Last Day of Season: October 26, 2024
Independence KS
This year Prairie Days has been changed into a cast reunion event. There is more information under the reunion events section.
50th Anniversary Event – Independence, KS – Prairie Days-A LHOTP Cast 50th Celebration on May 31 – June 2, 2024
Carrie Ingalls Swanzey’s Birthday Party – Saturday August 3, 2024
Hours
Open March 15th – November 1st, 2024 – 10:00 pm – 5:00 pm everyday.
[Opening and closing dates not confirmed.]
Walnut Grove MN
Online Laura Ingalls Wilder Birthday Special – February 4, 2024 – 3:00 pm –
The Walnut Grove pageant will have another online celebration of Laura’s birthday. This time focused on the actresses who played Nellie Oleson in the pageant over the years. The interviews will be live, recorded, or read. Due to time constraints, they are interviewing the Nellie actresses who had been in the Walnut Grove Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant for 5 years or more. They would still like to hear from any Nellie actress in the form of a short bio of what you are up to now and any thoughts on acting as Nellie Oleson in our production.
Find-a-Grave Presentation – April 18, 2024
Bonnie Caldwell will present about grave hunting. Bonnie will share how to use the Find-A-Grave site and provide tips on making it a fun experience.
Walnut Grove Pageant – This year continues a brand-new trilogy of plays in place of the Fragments of a Dream pageant. The first in the trilogy will be closest to traditional Fragments of a Dream so they did the 2nd one last year. This year it’s the third one, Dream Fulfilled.
July 12-13, 2024
July 19-20, 2024 (Reunion Weekend)
July 26-27, 2024
Family Festival held in Walnut Grove City Park on pageant Saturdays, July 12, 19, and 26, 2024. The festival goes from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm Check the Walnut Grove website for full schedule and more details as it gets closer.
2024 will be the 50th Anniversary of the Little House on the Prairie TV show (NBC). Walnut Grove is the homesite that has had the most to do with the TV show and has announced they will definitely be following up their 40th and 45th reunions with one this year. They are still rolling out information. If you plan on going look for where you want to stay now because they aren’t many spaces yet.
50th Anniversary Cast Reunion Event – Walnut Grove, MN – July 19-21, 2024 (Scroll up to Walnut Grove section for more information)
This is not one of the repeating productions and so will be done differently. This is Paul Valenti’s report on Facebook in January: “You DO NOT need an advance ticket to attend the reunion events being held within Walnut Grove. Autograph/Meet & Greet tickets will be available when you arrive in Walnut Grove. It is also not expected that tickets for the evening pageants will sell out, there is always more room ‘on the hill’ for that particular event. I DO expect that there will be a brunch and a dinner event held that weekend for which you WILL need an advance ticket. So all that the fans should concern themselves with right now, in regards to the Walnut Grove Reunion, is finding lodging and transportation, everything else will be announced in plenty of time for those of you who are looking to participate in the various events taking place that weekend.”
That is good advice, except I would pre-buy the pageant tickets as soon as possible to get good seats. Some people prefer to sit on a blanket on the hill though so it’s up to you. The pageant will be the play put on by the townspeople every year and a pre- pageant Q and A session with the TV show cast. You do not have to pre-buy a ticket to the Autograph/Meet & Greet sessions. They will also have a photo with the cast on Sunday. This is my playlist of videos from when I attended their event in 2014. I’ve got it cued up to video 3 which is when I made it to Walnut Grove.
Friday, July 19: Bruncheon ($70)
Saturday, July 20: Luncheon ($70)
-Your ticket includes a meal, a photo of you & others at your table with the Star, and a Gift Bag with exclusive items.
-You are only allowed to attend one of these events. You cannot attend both the bruncheon and luncheon.
-Additional information will be released by April 1st. Pre-sale date and times will be announced at that time.
Sunday, July 21 Photo Opportunity ($25)
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Community Center
You will have an opportunity to get a photograph with all of the Stars attending our reunion. The Stars will be seated and staged for you to join their photo. The photos will be taken on your personal device.
2024 Walnut Grove Museum Hours Schedule – Republished With Permission
Lutheran Church in Walnut Grove with Pa’s Bell
Burr Oak IA
Normally Burr Oak has a lot of smaller events throughout the year. This year they are planning on them again, but nothing is planned that far out. Check back later in the year for more. Under events on their website they have Laura Days dates out to 2030.
Laura Ingalls Wilder Park & Museum Annual Meeting January 20, 2024, Burr Oak Lutheran Church 6pm, if you are interested in attending by Zoom e-mail the museum and you will be sent the link. museum@lauraingallswilder.us
Spaghetti Supper – Decorah Lutheran church on March 9, 2024 from 4:30-7:00 pm. Live auction of donated items from local businesses and homemade pies begins at 7:00 pm. $15 for adults; $5 for children ages 5-12; 4 and under free. Carry-outs and meatless sauce available. Meet our Little Miss Lauras and learn about our latest projects!
Laura’s Sack Lunch Drive-Thru Meal – May 5, 2024
A fundraising drive through featuring the Winnesheik County Cattlemen. It also includes an open house at the new school building with live music, presentations by their Little Miss Lauras, and refreshments.
Enter the Masters Hotel Coloring Contest! The 2024 information should be published May 1, 2024. The contest is open for all 8, 9, and 10 year olds. Download the picture and send to the museum. They will release the date to mail by and update the details later. Be sure to include your name and address on the other side of the picture. The winner will be announced at the Annual Laura Day Celebration. Need not to be present to win. All entries become the property of the museum. The winning picture will be displayed in the Laura Museum Visitor Center for the remainder of the season. The winner will receive the Laura Ingalls Wilder Coloring Book illustrated by Cheryl Harness. Click the link below to print the picture and entry form. Coloring Contest Rules
Hours – Unconfirmed for 2024
Opens May 1, 2024
Monday-Saturday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, Last tour 3:00 pm
Sunday: Noon – 4:00 pm, Last tour 3:00 pm
Memorial Day – Labor Day Monday-Saturday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, Last tour 4:00 pm
Sunday: Noon – 4:00 pm, Last tour 3:00 pm
Post Labor Day – Mid October: Thursday-Saturday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, Last tour 3:00 pm
Closed Sunday-Wednesday
Last day of the 2024 season TBD
De Smet SD
De Smet Memorial Society
Beyond The Prairie: A Journey Through the Lives of Laura Ingalls Wilder & Rose Wilder Lane will be the special exhibit for 2024.
Immerse yourself in the Wilder Legacy. Encounter the real Laura and Rose through their lives, writings, and relationship through a special display. May thru September 2024
De Smet Pageant
Prairie Girl: Laura’s Dakota Stories – An original production and is described as featuring Laura and early De Smet history.
July 5, 6, 7, 2024
July 12, 13, 14. 2024
July 19, 20, 21, 2024
Gates Open 6 pm, Performance at 8 pm
Old Settlers Day will be Saturday, June 8, 2024.
The Ingalls Homestead is hosting a Plein Air Event(painting in the open air) in conjunction with the Harvey Dunn Society. Find more details about a previous event. – August 8-11, 2024 with the wet sale on Sunday the 11th.
We don’t have dates for 2024 for their Christmas events, but I assume they will happen again this year.
“Christmas at the Ingalls Home” – No dates confirmed yet Join us for early holiday shopping plus a chance to tour the Ingalls House on 3rd Street free of charge. Stop at the Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society for your free ticket.
“Radio Pageant”- No dates confirmed
You can attend in person at the De Smet Wellness Center. Previously it was broadcast live on Facebook, also, but no confirmation of that yet.
Memorial Society
May & September: Monday-Saturday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
School fieldtrips typically visit in the mornings.
Please call ahead to confirm tours.
October-April: Tuesday-Saturday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Call ahead for tour times
Holiday Hours: We will be closed December 26, 2024 and January 2, 2025 so that our employees can spend the Holidays with their families.
Ingalls Homestead
2024 Hours
SPRING: May 1 – 23, 2024
Monday – Friday – Hours vary daily as we host school field trips. Please contact us for availability.
Saturday & Sunday – We are closed on weekends prior to Memorial Day.
We do not keep regular hours during our spring season, but we do welcome visitors. Our activities are limited in the spring and can vary depending on when you visit. During our spring season, we do not offer the pony and pony cart rides. We are generally closed the Friday prior to Memorial Day weekend, to give us a day of transition between school field trips and our summer season.
SUMMER: May 25 – September 2, 2024
Open 9am-7pm, Activities from 10am – 6pm. The first covered wagon ride leaves at 10am and the final covered wagon ride leaves at 6pm, with rides and activities throughout the day. We are open every day including Sundays, Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day.
AUTUMN: September 3 – September 30, 2024
Open 9AM – 5PM; Activities offered from 11am – 2pm, Saturday Activities offered from 11am-4pm
We have the covered wagon ride, pony and pony cart rides, and hands-on activities each day. We will not be offering the one-room schoolhouse session except on Saturdays.
October 1 – October 31, 2024 Daily 9AM – 5PM, weather permitting.
No activities offered, but the grounds, visitors center, and gift shop are open.
WINTER: The grounds are closed for the winter, but we are still in the office. If you would like to make a camping reservation, request information, or place a phone order, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Spring Valley MN
Spring Cleaning May 4, 2024
Ice Cream Social June 21, 2024 at 5pm
Eliza Jane One Room School Days End of July (TBD)
Ag Days (formerly Wilder Fest) August 16-18, 2024
Winter Fundraiser Fall/Winter (TBD)
Hours
Open between Memorial Day Weekend thru the end of August. 10:00 am – 4:00 pm daily. During September and October open Saturday and Sunday only, 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. Additional hours and events may be added later.
Mansfield MO
Note: Mansfield has been scheduling small events without a lot of notice. If this trend continues I will add them to list as soon as I find out about them.
For the 2024 the Special Season Exhibit- “Remembering Almanzo Wilder.” They have worked on filling in the spot where the previous museum was. They’ve kept Almanzo’s workshop and built a restoration of their garage. It will be the focal point of this year’s special exhibit.
Independence Day
The Fourth of July is always celebrated in Mansfield, Missouri. Parades have been a tradition here since the days of Horses pulling Decorated Wagons and Buggies. Today we all celebrate Independence Day in Mansfield with a Parade, Festival and Fireworks.
Rocky Ridge Adventure Pioneer Camp – July 22-26, 2024 The Laura Ingalls Wilder Home Association “Rocky Ridge Adventure Pioneer Camp” for the 2023 season! The camp will be for children ages (9-12). Camp will cost $TBA per child and will include a week of exciting adventures around Rocky Ridge Farm. Campers will enjoy many learning activities, bringing a hands-on perspective to the pioneer lifestyle. Email: liw.pioneercamp@gmail.com Camp will take place, rain or shine!! Your child will not want to miss this special week of historic fun and memories!!!! Register today and reserve your spot! What is included from last year’s post – Registration cost includes 5 days of camp, tin cup, badge, book, shirt and a hat (bonnet for girls and coon skin cap for boys). For more information, call 417-924-3626.
“Laura’s Memories” – An Outdoor Pageant
Sadly the Ozarks Mountain Players have closed down. The rights to the script and songs have reverted to their authors. There is some hope in town another group in town will restart ”Laura’s Memories” the pageant in Mansfield City Park. Sadly this is the second Laura pageant group, after the one in Pepin, Wisconsin which closed some years ago, to close. It’s the first long running pageant to do so. It had great music and the most comfortable pageant theater of the current shows.
49th Wilder Days – September 27-28, 2024
Annual celebration commemorating Laura Ingalls Wilder, America’s favorite pioneer girl, and her cherished Little House books. Sadly they didn’t get funding for the fiddle contest on Wilder Day. It will be a great day to enjoy hearing fiddle music Pa’s Fiddle played.
Please come out and enjoy the festivities. Visit our Facebook page for more info.
Wilder Dinner – September 27, 2024 The 5th Annual, “Wilder Dinner.” The date has not been announced, but is normally on the Friday of Wilder Days. The special guest this year will be Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder on the NBC series).
Jean C. Coday Day at Rocky Ridge Farm – Nov. 2, 2024
As former director (1993-2018) and board member (1960-2018) of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Home and Museum we honor her memory and years of service with a discounted ticket price of $10 for all active and retired teachers and librarians. Mrs. Coday had a passion for children, devoting 31 years as a teacher/administrator with the Mansfield school system. The Jean C. Coday Elementary School Library was named in her honor in 2000. The board of directors have decided to make this an annual event on the Saturday closest to her birthday.
Christmas at Laura’s – Saturday, December 14, 2024 – 5pm-7pm
Opening and decorating the Rocky Ridge farmhouse for Christmas is a tradition here on Rocky Ridge Farm. Holiday shopping in the giftshop. Come celebrate Christmas with us in a most special way!
It’s Mansfield’s Christmas in the Ozarks that day with Activities starting at 2pm, a Christmas Tea from 2:30-3:30pm, and the parade at 4pm. Most stores around the square will be having an activity.
Hours
March 1st – November 15th, 2024 (Closed Easter Sunday, March 31)
Monday-Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Adult Ticket – $18.00 Children 6 to 17 – $8.00 Children 5 & Under – Free
Annual Meeting and Dinner! Jan. 26,2024 at the As We Like It Cafe in Malone NY. Special presentation by Melanie Stringer, historian and Wilder scholar. Details at http://almanzowilderfarm.com/blog
Eclipse Days – Sunday, April 7, 2024 12pm – 3pm, Monday, April 8, 2024 11am – 3pm
Museum and Gift Shop open and the grounds are open for eclipse viewing
Fiber Arts – Every Wednesday starting April 17, 2024 3pm-5pm
Opening for the Season May 25, 2024
Fun on the Farm! – Saturday, June 22, 2024 10am – 4 pm A fun day for kids with traditional games to play. Winners will be announced for the art show and essay contest. Honorary Almanzo and Laura will be chosen! Check back for more details.
The following annual event dates haven’t been released for 2024
Celebration of Youth and Morgan Horse – July 16, 2022 Children’s art on display, along with students’ essays. Award ceremony and the announcement of Honorary Laura and Almanzo Kids art activities, 19th century games, vendors, food Entertainment & more! Dean Butler who played Almanzo Wilder on the TV show will guest.
Annual Cultural Festival – Scottish Fling – July 15, 2023
Our annual cultural events will resume this summer with our 2nd Scottish Fling! Come enjoy the enchanting sounds of bagpipes, watch traditional Scottish dancers, and try some Scottish fare, as we celebrate the influence of the Scots in rural northern NY when the Wilder family lived here. Vendors invited.
Almanzo and Laura Ingalls Wilder Anniversary Celebration – August 25, 2024
Lemonade and Cupcakes, free admission for people with the same anniversary (must show proof)
Annual Harvest Festival & Civil War Living History Encampment – September 23 & 24, 2023 Civil War living history encampment Pumpkin painting and children’s 19th century game in the orchard, children’s corn pit in the barn, Adult juried art show on display Entertainment, demonstrators, craft & produce
Christmas with Almanzo – December 2, 2023 – 11am -3pm Join us at Christmas with Almanzo! Kids’ holiday crafts, carol singing, Farmer Boy Christmas chapter readings, and gift shop open! FREE admission.
ALL EVENTS AND TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
Their regular season runs from May 25 through September 30, 2023. If planning a visit when they are closed you can reach out and ask about a special tour. Higher rates apply for small special groups, regular rates for groups over 3 people if they can arrange the staff.
Vinton IA
Tours are not currently available. We are in doubt of future events due to uncertainty of the future of the building.
Keystone SD – Longtime Home of Carrie Ingalls Swanzey
50th Anniversary Event – Carrie Days: A Celebration of the Life of Carrie Ingalls – Keystone, SD – July 26-28, 2024 (Scroll down to the reunion section to see more)
Hours
The museum will be opening in May 2024 with the following hours:
Monday-Friday: 10 am – 4 pm
Saturday: 10 am – 2 pm
Sunday: Closed
Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum – West Branch IA
They do a special Laura program every year in September with a speaker. Sadly they missed doing one in 2023. No word on date, time, or format for this year’s.
Pomona Public Library – Pomona CA
No Laura’s birthday Gingerbread Sociable will be held again this year. It may return next year.
Old World Wisconsin – Eagle WI
Old World Wisconsin is returning to Laura Ingalls Wilder events in a different way. They are offering camps. Search their events page for Laura Ingalls Wilder to pull up more information or book tickets. This year they have increased the number of times they are offering both camps.
Little House Adventure Summer Camp – One day adventure camps for kids held 5 different times. Registration is a separate fee. Kids ages 8-10.
Thursday, June 27, 2024, 10 am – 3 pm
Thursday, July 18, 2024, 10 am – 3 pm
Thursday, July 25, 2024, 10 am – 3 pm
Thursday, August 1, 2024, 10 am – 3 pm
Thursday, August 8, 2024, 10 am – 3 pm
Little House Family Adventure Summer Camp – One day camp for kids and adults to go together. It doesn’t say so, but I think they expect you to bring a kid if you’re an adult.
Sunday, July 21, 2024, 10 m. – 3 pm
Sunday, August 4, 2024, 10 am – 3 pm
Nelson Pioneer Farm – Oskaloosa, Iowa
They got a new director and haven’t set dates for this year’s events yet.
Laura Days– July 11 – July 28, 2023 Three different series of craft activities will be offered every Tuesday-Friday throughout July. This is not a day camp. The goal of this program is for the adults and children to do the activities together. Adults must remain with their children. Most activities are designed for children ages 6-10. Any special notation regarding ages or skill levels are listed with the activities. Or a modification will be available. Younger siblings are welcome to join in to the best of their ability! Each day we’ll feature a building or exhibit before heading to the craft barn to make the craft.
Colt on Ingalls Homestead
The Newberry
This information is from 2023, but Sardella-Ayres is planning on holding an online version of the class this fall. It has not been formally adopted yet and there is no dates or times.
Online Class, Tuition Required, Number of students capped This class explores Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House series in-depth, from multiple angles, including their settings, authorship and publication, adaptations, translations, and continued legacy. How does the series present American history and American girlhood? What do the books reveal about society, ideology, and America in their historical time? Taught by a dedicated Wilder scholar, this class will examine chronologically Wilder’s eight-book series, as well as the works of Wilder’s daughter, the author and political theorist Rose Wilder Lane. The instructor is Dawn Sardella-Ayres received her PhD from the University of Cambridge in 2016, and is the current L.M. Montgomery Institute Research Associate for 2022-2023. She specializes in girls’ literature and the girls’ Bildungsroman, and has published on Alcott, Montgomery, Johnston, and Wilder. Information Page
Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival – Marshfield, Missouri
2024 CBF Ticket Information -These are only the Little House related events (plus Lesley Ann Warren’s Cinderella because that is awesomesauce – best live action Cinderella ever!) This is the ticketed events list. Non-ticket events haven’t been published yet.
*All Cherry Blossom Festival tickets will go on sale on Presidents Day at 8 AM (CST). This is a list of the ticketed festival events ONLY. A full schedule will be released later as it is finalized.
Click on the following link if you would like to view every ticketed event:
2:30 PM (Marshfield Community Center, 110 Commercial Street): The annual Cherry Blossom Tea; Lesley Ann Warren (Cinderella, Rogers & Hammerstein’s 1965) will be the keynote tea speaker and the tea will be “Cinderella” themed. Admission will be $12 per person and can be ordered online at or by calling 808-345-4975. Hats are highly encouraged for this festival event. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/844108490217?aff=oddtdtcreator
Friday, April 26:
8 AM (Marshfield Assembly of God, 1538 W. Washington): Laura Ingalls Wilder Breakfast- The Laura Ingalls Wilder Home and Museum hosts, “Nellie’s Breakfast”-benefiting the Laura Ingalls Wilder Children’s Literature Festival. The program will feature a panel celebrating the 50th anniversary of Little House on the Prairie. Panel participants will include:
Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson)
Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder)
Wendi Lou Lee (Baby Grace Ingalls)
Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle)
Jennifer Donati (Baby Rose Wilder)
David Friedman (Jason Carter)
Patrick Labyorteaux (Andy Garvey)
and other memorable cast members from the classic television show.
Cast Reunions at Non-Homesite Towns of More than 3 Cast Members
I updated the cast lists as of April 11, 2024. These are what I have found from published lists. I don’t have any insider information. Thanks to Jennifer Steffin (Toddler Rose Wilder) who sent me some list corrections. All listed actors are “scheduled to appear” and if something happens they may not come.
Summary by Nora Harmon: They will have a professional photographer that will take your photo with any of the stars. You sign up for a time and you and 3 others can get a printed 8×10 photo. Plus a free download. Each individual star is $65 each and then there are group photos too.
List updated March 7, 2024, Find a lot more information on their website
Karen Grassle (Ma Ingalls)
Melissa Gilbert (Laura Ingalls Wilder)
Jonathan Gilbert (Willie Oleson)
Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson)
Ketty Lester (Hester-Sue Terhune)
Patrick Labyorteaux (Andy Garvey)
Wendi Lou Lee (Baby Grace Ingalls)
Brenda Turnbaugh (Baby Grace Ingalls)
Lucy Lee Flippin (Eliza Jane Wilder)
Jennifer Donati (Baby Rose Wilder)
Jennifer Steffin (Toddler Baby Rose Wilder)
Michelle Steffin (Toddler Baby Rose Wilder)
Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle)
Green Bush Twins, Rachel Lindsay & Sidney Robyn (Carrie Ingalls)
Bonnie Bartlett (Grace Snider Edwards)
Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder)
Pamela Roylance (Sarah Carter)
Linwood Boomer (Adam Kendall)
Michael Landon, Jr. (Jim, also Michael Landon’s son)
Leslie Landon (Etta Plum – last teacher on the show and Michael Landon’s daughter)
David Friedman (Jason Carter)
Stan Ivar (John Carver aka the man who got the original Little House from the show)
Brian Part (Carl Sanderson Edwards – Mr. Edwards adopted son)
Olivia Barash (Sylvia Webb – from the rapist clown episode)
The Prairie Days, a 50th LHOTP Cast Anniversary Celebration at Patti’s 1880s Settlement in Grand Rivers, KY will be held April 5 – 7, 2024
Little House on the Prairie Cast Member Meet and Greet ~
Fri., April 5 – Noon-4pm, Sat., April 6th 10am-4pm, Sun., April 7th 1pm-4pm
Located in the Settlement on Ashley’s Back Porch Cost: $12 over 12, $6 under 12 Little House Murder Mystery Dinner Theater ~ Fri., April 5th 6:30pm Cost: $175, Limited to 90 Guests
VIP Breakfast ~ Sun., April 7, 8:30am Cost: $100, Limited to 90 Guests
Stage Coach tickets available on April 6-7. Tickets need to be pre-purchased.
Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson)
Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder)
Pamela Roylance (Sarah Carter)
Jennifer Donati (Baby Rose Wilder)
Wendi Lou Lee (Baby Grace Ingalls)
Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle)
David Friedman (Jason Carter)
Dan McBride (Henry Riley – Customer at Nellie’s restaurant)
Olivia Barash (Sylvia Webb – the rapist clown episode)
Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival – April 25-27, 2024 (Scroll up to Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival section)
50th Anniversary Event – Villa Bellezza Winery and Vineyards in Pepin, WI – May 10-11, 2024, LaCrosse WI – May 12, 2024
Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle)
Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder)
Wendi Lou Lee (Baby Grace Ingalls)
Pamela Roylance (Sarah Carter)
Jennifer Donati (Baby Rose Wilder)
Jennifer Steffin (Toddler Rose Wilder)
David Friedman (Jason Carter)
Olivia Barash (Sylvia Webb)
& you’ll never know who else will show up!
Friday Night “Prairie Remembers” Dinner at Villa Bellezza Winery & Vineyards In Pepin, WI at 6:30 pm. The dinner will feature lemon chicken, Penne Forno, etc. Night of stories of beloved cast members that have passed told by their friends & colleagues. Ticket price is $155 and includes a photo with the LHOTP cast.
Saturday VIP Breakfast will be held at 8:30 am with the LHOTP cast at the Villa Bellezza VIP Breakfast tickets are $100 each.
The Little House on the Prairie Cast Meet and Greets will be held Friday Noon- 4pm, Saturday from 10 am- 4pm. Ticket Cost Adult $12. Kids 3-12 are just $6. The cast will be available for photos, autographs and their merchandise for sale.
Other activities are being confirmed an added soon.
You’ll want to take time to visit the Laura Ingalls Wilder Musuem and the Little House-Wayside, the birthplace of Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Sunday, May 12th, LaCrosse, WI 2 special Mother’s Day cruises aboard the La Crosse Queen Riverboat. One at 1:30pm with appetizer bar and a Dinner Cruise at 5:30pm. Located at the LaCrosse Queen Riverboat, 405 Veterans Memorial in LaCrosse, WI!
50th Anniversary Event – Independence, KS – Prairie Days – A Little House on the Prairie Cast 50th Celebration on May 31-June 2, 2024
LHOTP original cast members confirmed for the 2024 Prairie Days will include:
Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson)
Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle)
Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder)
Wendi Lou Lee (Baby Grace Ingalls)
Karen Grassle (Caroline Ingalls)
Pamela Roylance (Sarah Carter)
Jennifer Donati (Baby Rose Wilder)
David Friedman (Jason Carter)
Olivia Barash (Sylvia Webb)
Tracy & Victor French (children of Victor French-Mr Edwards)
Green Bush Twins, Rachel Lindsay & Sidney Robyn (Carrie Ingalls)
A Friday Night Dinner will take place at the Independence Historical Museum, 123 North 8th Street Independence, KS at 6:30 pm. The dinner will feature pork chops or cinnamon chicken breast, etc. The evening will honor many cast members who are no longer with us! A very moving night of stories of beloved cast members told by their friends & colleagues. Dinner is limited to 100 people. Ticket price is $175 and includes a photo with the LHOTP cast.
Saturday VIP Breakfast will be held at 8:30 am with the LHOTP cast, again at the Independence Historical Museum. VIP Breakfast tickets are limited to 100 guests and are $100 each. This will also sell out quickly.
The Little House on the Prairie Meet and Greets will be held Friday noon- 4pm, Saturday from 10 am- 4pm & again on Sunday noon-4pm. Ticket Cost Adult $12. Kids 3-12 $6. The cast will be available for photos, autographs and merchandise for sale. It will be held at the Little House on the Prairie Museum, 2507 County Road 3000 in Independence, KS.
Other activities are being confirmed an added soon.
For information email: gravelroadmarket@gmail.com.
Festival of Television of Monte Carlo, Monaco – June 14-18, 2024
This annual television festival celebrates TV shows from all over the world. If you are a soap person this is the event The Bold and the Beautiful attends most years and tries to slip in some footage that will appear as part of an episode or two while they are there. Find out more about their appearence.
Melissa Sue Anderson (Mary Ingalls)
Matthew Labyorteaux (Albert Ingalls)
Alison Arngrim (Nasty Nellie)
Melissa Gilbert (Laura Ingalls)
Karen Grassle (Caroline Ingalls)
Leslie Landon Matthews (Miss Eva Plum aka Michael Landon’s daughter)
Wendi Lou Lee (Grace Ingalls)
50th Anniversary Event – Walnut Grove, MN – July 19-21, 2024 (Scroll up to Walnut Grove section for more information)
This is not one of the repeating productions and so will be done differently. This is Paul Valenti’s report on Facebook in January: “You DO NOT need an advance ticket to attend the reunion events being held within Walnut Grove. Autograph/Meet & Greet tickets will be available when you arrive in Walnut Grove. It is also not expected that tickets for the evening pageants will sell out, there is always more room “on the hill” for that particular event. I DO expect that there will be at least a brunch and a dinner event held that weekend for which you WILL need an advance ticket. So all that the fans should concern themselves with right now, in regards to the Walnut Grove Reunion, is finding lodging and transportation, everything else will be announced in plenty of time for those of you who are looking to participate in the various events taking place that weekend.”
That is good advice, except I would pre-buy the pageant tickets as soon as possible to get good seats. Some people prefer to sit on a blanket on the hill though so it’s up to you. The pageant will be the play put on by the townspeople every year and a pre- pageant Q and A session with the TV show cast. You do not have to pre-buy a ticket to the Autograph/Meet & Greet sessions. I expect that they will also have a photo with the cast on Sunday, but that’s based on their previous events, not anything I know from this year. This is my playlist of videos from when I attended their event in 2014. I’ve got it cued up to video 3 which is when I made it to Walnut Grove.
Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson)
Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder)
Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle)
Patrick Labyorteaux (Andy Garvey)
Wendi Lou Lee (Grace Ingalls)
Pamela Roylance (Sarah Carter)
David Friedman (Jason Carter)
Jennifer Donati (Baby Rose Wilder)
50th Anniversary Event – Carrie Days: A Celebration of the Life of Carrie Ingalls – Keystone, SD – July 26-28, 2024
Have you ever wanted to “Picture Yourself on the Prairie?” You’ll get the chance to get your picture taken in front of 12 painted canvases of the Oleson Mercantile, the Little House and so much more. You’ll feel like you are on the sets in Walnut Grove! It will be held at Keystone Community Center and Library, 1101 Madill Street Keystone, SD 57751.
Friday, July 26 – Cast Meet and Greet 12pm-4pm ($12 adult, $6 child)
Saturday, July 27th – Cast Meet and Greet 10am-4pm ($12 adult, $6 child)
– 7pm Dinner, ($150)
Sunday, July 28th – Breakfast with Cast 8:30am ($100)
– Cast Meet and Greet 12pm-4pm ($12 adult, $6 child)
All Inclusive Ticket ($350)
Little House on the Prairie original cast members confirmed for the 2024 Carrie Days will include:
Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson)
Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle)
Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder)
Wendi Lou Lee (Grace Ingalls)
Pamela Roylance (Sarah Carter)
Jennifer Donati (Baby Rose Wilder)
Jennifer Steffin (Toddler Rose Wilder)
Olivia Barash (Sylvia Webb)
Victor & Tracy French (Children of Victor French-Mr. Edwards).
50th Anniversary Cast Reunion – Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, CT – August 30-31 & September 1, 2024; three big days of a LHOTP 50th Anniversary Cast Reunion. (This event was originally scheduled to take place in Torrington, CT and has been moved to a new larger location. There have been other changes in addition to the location. All tickets already purchased will be honored at the new location.)
This event will help raise funds & awareness for a local not for profit Kids Play Childrens Museum, located in downtown Torrington, CT.
Little House on the Prairie original cast members scheduled to appear will include:
Susan McCray (casting director for LHOTP)
Todd Bridges (Solomon Henry)
Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder)
Melissa Gilbert (Laura Ingalls)
Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle)
Melissa “Missy” Francis (Casandra Ingalls)
Alison Arngrim (Nasty Nellie)
Allison Balson (Nancy Olsen)
Lucy Lee Flippin (Eliza Jane Wilder)
Pamela Roylance (Sarah Carter)
Stan Ivar (John Carter)
David Friedman (Jason Carter)
Wendi Lou Lee (Grace Ingalls)
Jennifer Donati (Baby Rose Wilder)
Jennifer Steffin (Toddler Rose Wilder)
Olivia Barash (Sylvia Webb)
Matthew Labyorteaux (Albert Ingalls)
Gil Gerard (Chris Nelson)
Tony Becker (Zeke)
Brain Part (Carl Sanderson)
Victor and Tracy French (Victor French’s Children)
Josh Landon (son on Michael Landon)
Saturday Night – The Prairie Remembers Dinner will take place at the Connecticut Convention Center at 6:30 pm. The dinner will feature a delicious catered meal. The evening will pay tribute to amazing actors & cast members that are no longer with us. Cast members will share their stories of these amazing actors that are gone way too soon. Ticket price is $195.
Sunday – Little House on the Prairie Cast Breakfast will be held at 8:30 am with the LHOTP cast. Breakfast tickets are $100 each.
The LHOTP on the Prairie cast meet and greets be Friday 12pm – 4pm and Saturday & Sunday 10 am- 4 pm. Ticket Cost is just $20. The cast will be available for photos, autographs and will have a huge variety of their merchandise for sale. It will be held at the Connecticut Convention Center. Such a fantastic setting!
Other activities are being confirmed an added soon. More activities including an old fashioned marionette puppet show, MORE exhibits & displays, even MORE cast & guest stars & Little House on the Prairie: The Musical.
The following cast members were originally listed. No word if they were accidentally left off in the transfer or if they are no longer coming.
Karen Grassle (Caroline Ingalls)
Leslie Landon Matthews (Miss Eva Plum aka Michael Landon’s daughter)
Sherri Stoner (Rachel Brown Oleson, wife of Willie Oleson in the 9th season)
Little House 50th Anniversary – Farm and Home Center – Lancaster, PA – September 3-4, 2024
Tuesday, September 3rd – Sold Out
Bright Sides Opportunity Center, 515 Hershey Ave, Lancaster, PA, 17603
Wednesday, September 4th
Cast Meet and Greet, 10am-5pm ($15)
Murder Mystery Dinner Theater, 7pm ($150)
LHOTP original cast members scheduled to appear will include:
Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder)
Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle)
Alison Arngrim (Nasty Nellie)
Pamela Roylance (Sarah Carter)
Wendi Lou Lee (Grace Ingalls)
Jennifer Donati (Baby Rose Wilder)
Olivia Barash (Sylvia Webb)
Jennifer Steffin (Young Rose Wilder)
Victor & Tracy French (Victor French’s Children)
Lucy Lee Flippin (Eliza Jane Wilder).
You never know who else will show up!
The Little House on the Prairie Cast Meet and Greet will be held Wednesday from10 am- 5 pm ($15). The cast will be available for photos, autographs and will have a huge variety of their merchandise for sale. It will be held at the Bright Side Opportunities Center in beautiful Lancaster, PA!
Murder Mystery Dinner Theater, 7pm ($150) – Dinner with the cast will take place at the Bright Side Opportunities Center at 7 pm. The dinner will feature a delicious catered meal. The evening with feature Cast members sharing their stories of their time working on this iconic TV show. And it’s a Murder Mystery! Who did it? ($150)
A VIP all access package will include: one ticket to the Wednesday LHOTP Murder Mystery Cast Dinner sitting directly at the table with cast member, access to the cast Meet & Greet, and a great souvenir swag bag! VIP Package is limited to 50 lucky VIP guests. Cost is $225. A once in a lifetime experience!
It all happens in Lancaster, PA on Wednesday September 4, 2024.
Johnny Cash’s Hideaway Farm – Lyle, TN – September 14-15, 2024 Two BIG days of fun on Johnny Cash’s Farm, as we celebrate 50 Years of Little House on the Prairie! Remember the Little House on the Prairie episode called “The Collection” guest-starring Johnny and June Carter Cash? “Nellie” confided to us that she was jealous she didn’t get to be in this episode because she wanted so much to meet them. “Mary Ingalls” said Johnny and June impressed her the most over any other guest stars on Little House! So – we took Mary Ingalls at her word, and decided to just make Nellie’s dreams come true by taking her to Johnny Cash’s farm in Lyles, Tennessee for one of our Little House on the Prairie 50th Anniversary Cast Reunion Fan Events – and YOU’RE INVITED to join us too!!
You’ll even get a chance to see a recreation of the outfits worn by Johnny & June from the Collection Episode, being created specially for this event by Laura Ingalls Gunn. She will have on display other costumes featured on the show! AND get this! You’ll get to see the original Bible used on the LHOTP set by Dabs Greer. Loads of surprises are in store.
The Little House on the Prairie Cast Meet and Greet – Saturday 10am – 5pm, Sunday 11am – 4pm ($25)
“Prairie Remembers” Dinner Original cast members honor the actors who are longer with us with their memories from the prairie, including June Carter and Johnny Cash. – Saturday, 7pm ($175)
Breakfast with the Cast – Sunday, 8am ($100)
Walnut Grove Style Church Service – Sunday, 10am. Hosted by Wendi Lou Lee and Charlotte Stewart
50th Anniversary – Christmas & Little House on the Prairie – Branson, MO – November 15-17, 2024
Branson Convention Center in Branson, MO on November 15-17, 2024 The cast plus all the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas! This will be Gravel Road Market’s largest gathering yet. It will be held at the Branson Convention Center which adjoins The Hilton Hotel! Plus a HUGE amount of the Little House cast, guest stars & crew! The event will also feature over 100 vendors at the Prairie Village Christmas Vendor Market, featuring handmade crafts, antiques/vintage, boutiques, gourmet foods and so much more!
There’s even going be a Puppets on the Prairie, old fashioned marionettes puppet show. So much to do, so much to see. AND it’s in Branson, MO!
Three HUGE days of fun, as we celebrate 50 Years of Little House on the Prairie!
Saturday Night – “The Prairie Remembers Dinner” will take place at the Branson Convention Center at 7:00 pm. The dinner will feature a delicious catered meal in the beautiful Ballroom. The evening will pay tribute to amazing actors & cast members that are no longer with us. We will even have live music. You never know who will show up. Cast members will share their stories of these amazing actors that are gone way too soon. Ticket price is $195.
Sunday – Little House on the PrairieCast Breakfast will be held at 8:30 am with the LHOTP cast. Breakfast tickets are $100 each.
The Little House on the Prairie cast meet and greet ticket includes:
Friday Night 4 pm -8 pm
Saturday & Sunday will be held from 10 am- 4 pm.
Ticket Cost is just $25
The cast will be available for photos, autographs and will have a huge variety of their merchandise for sale. It will be held at the Branson Convention Center.
A VIP 3-Day all access package will include:
one ticket to the Saturday Prairie Remembers Dinner
one ticket to the Sunday Cast Breakfast
3 days VIP access to the cast Meet & Greets,
a special invite to the private (invitation only) Friday Night gathering
a great souvenir swag bag! VIP Package is limited!
Cost is $600
Cast members scheduled to appear:
Matthew Labyorteaux (Albert Ingalls)
Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson)
Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle)
Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder)
Pamela Roylance (Sarah Carter)
Jennifer Donati (Baby Rose Wilder)
Wendi Lou Lee (Baby Grace Ingalls)
Jennifer Steffin (Young Rose Wilder)
Olivia Barash (Sylvia Webb)
David Friedman (Jason Carter)
Tracy & Victor French (children of Victor French-Mr Edwards)
Peter Billingsley (Gideon Hale)
Jimmy McNichol (Harry Baker)
Rick Hurst (Jacob Johnson)
Martha Wade Nix (Dual Roles, Holly & Amy)
Rachel Longaker (Ginny Clark)
Sherri Stoner (Rachel Brown Oleson)
Tony Becker (Zeke)
Other activities are being confirmed and added soon.
St. Redlands, California
Weekends August 24 – September 29, 2024
Performances: Friday – 7:00pm; Saturday – 2:00pm and 7:00pm; Sunday – 2:00pm
Special Weekday performances on September 26 at 7:00pm
Laura Ingalls Wilder Legacy and Research Association
You have to be a member to sign up for these online events.
LIWLRA online all day conference – Feb. 10, 2024
Locations That No Longer Hold Events
American Printing House for the Blind – Louisville, Kentucky
Genesee Country Village and Museum – Mumford, NY
Heritage Hill – Green Bay WI
National Cowgirl Museum – Fort Worth, Texas
Sarah S. Uthoff is a nationally known Laura Ingalls Wilder authority and has presented at five of the Wilder homesites, many times at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, many conferences and numerous libraries, museums, and events around the Midwest. She is the main force behind Trundlebed Tales fighting to bring the History, Mystery, Magic, and Imagination of Laura Ingalls Wilder and other greats of children’s literature and history to life for a new generation. How can you help? Attend one of her programs, schedule one yourself, watch her videos, listen to her podcast, look at her photos, and find her on Facebook , Twitter , LinkedIn , SlideShare, and Academia.edu . Professionally she is a reference librarian at Kirkwood Community College and former director of the Oxford (Iowa) Public Library.
I actually HAD a second video all ready to go at the end of the month, but it was a short and for unknown reasons YouTube has decided it has a problem with me posting shorts right now. So hopefully April will be the month a break the one a month pattern. This is a really good video though. It’s about how you wind a striking clock like the one Laura and Manly had and he wound every week.
Here is the video I posted during March 2024:
1. Winding a Striking Clock Like Laura Ingalls Wilder’s: In the Kitchen With Laura
In this In the Kitchen With Laura we’ll learn how to wind a parlor clock that strikes. For Christmas one year Laura Ingalls Wilder’s husband Almanzo traded a big load of firewood for a parlor clock. Every week for the rest of his life Almanzo wound the clock and its tick-tock filled their homes. Learn what this type of clock looks like, see photos of Laura’s, a bit about how other clocks strike, and how to wind this kind of striking clock correctly and safely.
Sarah S. Uthoff is a nationally known Laura Ingalls Wilder authority and has presented at five of the Wilder homesites, many times at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, many conferences and numerous libraries, museums, and events around the Midwest. She is the main force behind Trundlebed Tales fighting to bring the History, Mystery, Magic, and Imagination of Laura Ingalls Wilder and other greats of children’s literature and history to life for a new generation. How can you help? Attend one of her programs, schedule one yourself, watch her videos, listen to her podcast, look at her photos, and find her on Facebook , Twitter , LinkedIn , SlideShare, and Academia.edu . Professionally she is a reference librarian at Kirkwood Community College and former director of the Oxford (Iowa) Public Library.
Sarah S. Uthoff is a nationally known Laura Ingalls Wilder authority and has presented at five of the Wilder homesites, many times at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, many conferences and numerous libraries, museums, and events around the Midwest. She is the main force behind Trundlebed Tales fighting to bring the History, Mystery, Magic, and Imagination of Laura Ingalls Wilder and other greats of children’s literature and history to life for a new generation. How can you help? Attend one of her programs, schedule one yourself, watch her videos, listen to her podcast, look at her photos, and find her on Facebook , Twitter , LinkedIn , SlideShare, and Academia.edu . Professionally she is a reference librarian at Kirkwood Community College and former director of the Oxford (Iowa) Public Library.
Every year on Laura’s birthday (February 7th) I hold an online birthday party. In early years I talked about things like how they celebrated birthdays in the 19th century and the fact that Happy Birthday is now in the public domain (Yay! Thank you librarian who found it out). Soon, I moved over to having Laura people call in with their favorite stories. So every year I open up the lines and you can call in. You can also e-mail or whatever social media platform we’re both on in your story if you don’t want to talk.
What Can I Talk About Laura’s Party
What do people talk about? Normally people tell their Laura story. We all have one.
How did you discover Laura and her books?
What your favorite story is from the books?
Do you have a favorite quote?
What’s the best thing in your Laura collection?
What’s your favorite edition of the books?
Do you have something you learned how to do because of Laura?
What’s the craziest thing did you do because it was a “Little House” thing (place visited, craft tried, book read)?
Which is the best book?
What book about Laura or documentary is your favorite?
I hope to either hear from you live or….
Give Laura a Call and Give a Listen
Call in (714) 242-5253 or toll free 1-877-633-9389 to call into the show. If you just want to list you can call in the same way or stream it at this link:
The same link will be an archive recording after we finish recording the show.
This year the birthday party will be on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at:
8pm EST 7pm CST 6pm MST 5pm PST
Check Out Past Birthday Episodes
If you’re wondering about the gap, I should point out that one year I had major tech problems and talked for the entire hour, but no one could hear me and when someone did call in I couldn’t hear them. Then the next year we went to Disney in early February and I didn’t get the episode done because we were still recovering, but here are the rest of the episodes.
Sarah in Pepin Photo Board – Thanks to Gracie for taking the photo!
Sarah S. Uthoff is a nationally known Laura Ingalls Wilder authority and has presented at five of the Wilder homesites, many times at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, many conferences and numerous libraries, museums, and events around the Midwest. She is the main force behind Trundlebed Tales fighting to bring the History, Mystery, Magic, and Imagination of Laura Ingalls Wilder and other greats of children’s literature and history to life for a new generation. How can you help? Attend one of her programs, schedule one yourself, watch her videos, listen to her podcast, look at her photos, and find her on Facebook , Twitter , LinkedIn , SlideShare, and Academia.edu . Professionally she is a reference librarian at Kirkwood Community College and former director of the Oxford (Iowa) Public Library.
Saturdays, Oct 7–Nov 11, 2023 – 1:00pm–3:00pm
In Person Class, Tuition Required, Number of students capped
This class explores Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House series in-depth, from multiple angles, including their settings, authorship and publication, adaptations, translations, and continued legacy. How does the series present American history and American girlhood? What do the books reveal about society, ideology, and America in their historical time? Taught by a dedicated Wilder scholar, this class will examine chronologically Wilder’s eight-book series, as well as the works of Wilder’s daughter, the author and political theorist Rose Wilder Lane. The instructor is Dawn Sardella-Ayres received her PhD from the University of Cambridge in 2016, and is the current L.M. Montgomery Institute Research Associate for 2022-2023. She specializes in girls’ literature and the girls’ Bildungsroman, and has published on Alcott, Montgomery, Johnston, and Wilder. Information Page
This class was originally set up to be done online, but by mistake it was scheduled as in person only instead. We’ll hope it gets approved for an online class next time.
Laura Ingalls Wilder Legacy and Research Association
Sunday, October 22, 2023 – 1 pm CDT – Sarah Uthoff – Historic Foodways and Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Sarah S. Uthoff is a nationally known Laura Ingalls Wilder authority and has presented at five of the Wilder homesites, many times at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, many conferences and numerous libraries, museums, and events around the Midwest. She is the main force behind Trundlebed Tales fighting to bring the History, Mystery, Magic, and Imagination of Laura Ingalls Wilder and other greats of children’s literature and history to life for a new generation. How can you help? Attend one of her programs, schedule one yourself, watch her videos, listen to her podcast, look at her photos, and find her on Facebook , Twitter , LinkedIn , SlideShare, and Academia.edu . Professionally she is a reference librarian at Kirkwood Community College and former director of the Oxford (Iowa) Public Library.
Back before Halloween became about costumes and getting free candy, it used to be about sort of destructive tricks. One of the most popular was tipping the outhouse which meant knocking it over. Outhouses were sometimes moved if the pit got filled up so they aren’t necessarily firmly attached to the ground so they could easily be knocked over. There is a good description of this in The Ghost Belonged to Me by Richard Peck. So all October we’re going to be Tipping the Outhouse for the Walnut Grove Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant!
Current Pageant Bathrooms
Fundraiser
The Walnut Grove Pageant has a great facility they’ve built up over the years. Their current bathrooms are very 1970s-1980s-esque. They have a plan to replace and update them. On their Facebook page the pageant has let us know:
“The next plan is to remove the old restrooms and replace them with a new facility. This has been a project on many a mind for several years. The plan is to leave the restrooms in approximately the same area it is in today. This will mean a new building and fixtures, septic system and some of the sidewalks will be redone as well.”
“Most importantly we voted to start the building process of the new restrooms. We do not have enough money to complete the build but will go as far as the money takes us, realizing this job may take a few years. We should be able to get started on dirt work, permits, holding tank, foundation, walls, water and basic electrical.”
Bathroom Improvement Plan
The Latest Update
Here is the report from October 2, 2023:
“Things got real out at the Walnut Grove Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant site over the weekend. The new restroom project is moving ahead; the tin siding is all off, the overhang is gone, the stalls inside the women’s and men’s were all taken out. This was all done by Bill and his helper in one morning. Bill is planning on reusing some of the materials for other purposes at the site, unless it is too degraded to be of any use. It was decided at a committee meeting a couple months ago that even though we didn’t have the money to complete the new restrooms, we would go ahead with what we can get done for now. The current rest rooms are in such bad shape that to put any more money into them would be a waste. Permits have all been applied for, we are excited for the next steps in realizing new restrooms. If you would like to donate towards the new restrooms, we are taking donations on our website”
Do Your Part!
Having heard they had started without having enough money to put up the bathrooms to make a better pageant experience for everyone I felt like I had to do something. So what I did was create this fundraiser. I can’t do it on Facebook because they aren’t signed-up for that, but I hope you donate or at the very least share out this post or the photo!
We want to reward them for putting forward the effort and spending money they don’t have to make it a better pageant experience for us. How can we help them? We can donate money to help pay it off! I already did to get the ball rolling. The click here to donate below takes you to their site that takes online donations. They are set prices because it’s part of program that operates like an online store and the lowest level is $20.00, but I think it’s worth it!
Please share out this post or just the image. We want to “tip” the outhouse by filling it up with donations.
Sarah S. Uthoff is a nationally known Laura Ingalls Wilder authority and has presented at five of the Wilder homesites, many times at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, many conferences and numerous libraries, museums, and events around the Midwest. She is the main force behind Trundlebed Tales fighting to bring the History, Mystery, Magic, and Imagination of Laura Ingalls Wilder and other greats of children’s literature and history to life for a new generation. How can you help? Attend one of her programs, schedule one yourself, watch her videos, listen to her podcast, look at her photos, and find her on Facebook , Twitter , LinkedIn , SlideShare, and Academia.edu . Professionally she is a reference librarian at Kirkwood Community College and former director of the Oxford (Iowa) Public Library.
It’s August and for August we have an unusually big group of events again this year. August might join July and September and become our 3rd big month We’ve got an interesting spread of events both geographically and by type of event. Catch the podcast for more.
Home at Laura’s Place – 9:00 am to 5:00pm (2nd weekend, Saturday and Sunday)
August 12-13, 2023 – This is the last time they’re going to do this this year, but we hope it picks up again in 2024.
Visit the Little House Wayside in Pepin, WI on these special weekends to see the cabin fully furnished and re-enactors demonstrating the arts of daily living in the 1870s. This is a cooperative activity of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Days Committee, and the Austin Tea Party Players.
De Smet SD
August 11– 13, 2023 – The Ingalls Homestead is hosting a Plein Air Event (painting in the open air) in conjunction with the Harvey Dunn Society. Find more details about a previous event. – The event ends with the wet sale (the newly painted works) on Sunday the 13th.
Spring Valley MN
Ag Days (formerly Wilder Fest) August 18-20, 2023
Malone/Burke NY
Almanzo and Laura Ingalls Wilder Anniversary Celebration – August 25, 2023
Lemonade and Cupcakes, free admission for people with the same anniversary (must show proof)
Cast Reunions at Non-Homesite Towns of More than 3 Cast Members
Grand Rivers, KY
Join the Little House on the Prairie cast members as we head to Patti’s 1880s Settlement on August 25-26 in Grand Rivers, KY! The weekend as a whole features several different dinners, breakfasts, book signings, and even a church service. Of special note is “The Prairie Remembers Encore Dinner at 6:30pm, inside the Saloon…The dinner will honor many of the LHOTP cast members that have passed away.” The actual schedule seems to be in a lot of flux and events are selling out fairly quickly. They have links to purchase tickets, but no summary page. My best advice is to check out Jack Bishop’s Facebook page where he is posting most of the information as he gets it.
August 25 and 26, 2023
Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson)
Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle)
Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder)
Wendi Lou Lee (Baby Grace Ingalls)
Pamela Roylance (Sarah Carter)
David Friedman (Jason Carter)
Jennifer Donati (Baby Rose Wilder)
Mayfield, KY (Faces at the Window)
Cartwright Grove in Mayfield, KY, located at the Mayfield-Graves County Fairgrounds. “The Prairie Remembers” Encore Dinner at 6:30pm, inside the Saloon.
Sunday (August 27th) start out at Cartwright Grove with an old fashioned “Walnut Grove” free church service at 8:00 am held at the little church in Cartwright Grove. This will be hosted by Wendi Lou Lee and Miss Charlotte Stewart! The Cast (Sunday, August 27th) Meet & Greet will happen from 9 am until 1pm at Cartwright Grove. Those tickets are available now. AND we will have authentic stagecoach rides from 10-1 at Cartwright Grove on Sunday. (Some of this verbage was borrowed from Alison’s newsletter.)
Nashville, TN
Little House on the Prairie Riverboat Dinner Cruise will be aboard the General Jackson Showboat on Sunday, August 27, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee for a 3 hour dinner cruise event!
August 27, 2023
Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson)
Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder)
Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle)
Wendi Lou Lee (Baby Grace Ingalls)
Pamela Roylance (Sarah Carter)
Jennifer Donati (Baby Rose Wilder)
and you never know who else will join us!The night will feature an amazing TN BBQ buffet dinner, live entertainment, a special live auction and a Q & A by the LHOTP cast members. Cost is $165 for adults and $130 for children 12 & under. Here’s the ticket link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/648228237107
Caroline Celestia (“Carrie”) Ingalls, born in Montgomery County, KS – August 3, 1870
Baby Boy Wilder (infant son of Almanzo and Laura Ingalls Wilder) died in De Smet, SD – August 7, 1889
Almanzo James Wilder married Laura Elizabeth Ingalls, in De Smet, SD -August 25, 1885
Charles Frederick (“Freddie”) Ingalls, died in South Troy, Minnesota – August 27, 1876
Sarah S. Uthoff is a nationally known Laura Ingalls Wilder authority and has presented at five of the Wilder homesites, many times at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, many conferences and numerous libraries, museums, and events around the Midwest. She is the main force behind Trundlebed Tales fighting to bring the History, Mystery, Magic, and Imagination of Laura Ingalls Wilder and other greats of children’s literature and history to life for a new generation. How can you help? Attend one of her programs, schedule one yourself, watch her videos, listen to her podcast, look at her photos, and find her on Facebook , Twitter , LinkedIn , SlideShare, and Academia.edu . Professionally she is a reference librarian at Kirkwood Community College and former director of the Oxford (Iowa) Public Library.
Lately something reminded me of Frontier House. When “Reality” shows first really hit it big there were different genres of reality shows. Some were historical reality shows where modern people are given rudimentary training and turned loose in a house outfitted to a particular time period. Many historical reality shows were done by the BBC or networks in Canada, but some were done by PBS (Public Broadcasting Service). Normally these shows focused on a single household. The biggest one involved 3 families setting up a settlement in Montana.
Sue Cain was a friend of mine from MOMCC (Midwest Open-air Museum Coordinating Council) did part of their training for food stuff, bathroom matters, and other household tasks. Living history people of the time thought if they really wanted to see if people COULD still live like that today, they should use people who had at least “this much” information about the technology of the time. However, they picked people who had cracks and people looked to see how they’d break this week.
Sue Cain from Preview – It doesn’t click through, but I wanted you to be able to look for her
Frontier House
Frontier House was produced by PBS in 2002. They were trying to represent a settlement community with 3 homestead households portraying the year of 1883 for a single season. They have to deal with all they don’t know, a late snow storm, and modern hunting laws. (Which honestly why couldn’t they have had some sort of artificial target and then get them that much meat either as wild animal meat or even the equivalent weight of beef or pork I didn’t figure out. It would have been more accurate and Clune wouldn’t have had to complain so much.)
The families were the Glenns of Tennessee, the Clunes of California, and the Brooks of Massachusetts. The Glenns were a second marriage and the wife was abrasively Christian. The Clunes were a rich corporate raider type businessman and a chef. The Brooks seemed the most normal, but I’m sure they were partially chosen because they were an excuse to talk about a mixed racial couple in the west and his father was the only one among the entire group who actually seemed to know what he was doing. I think everybody was sorry when the Brooks patriarch left.
PBS produced a VHS tape set and a book about the experience. There is still an archived website about it on the PBS website. What made me think of it again though was their references to Little House on the Prairie and Laura Ingalls Wilder. Their website even references Laura Ingalls Wilder and the Little House on the Prairie TV show. In fact I clearly remembered one quote and never having shared it on my blog I bought a used copy of the book and found… the quote wasn’t in there. So I bought a set of the VHS tapes (yes, I still have a VCR) and watched all 6 hours…. and discovered it wasn’t there either.
What Were They Reading?
The quote was actually from this article about the series:
Heppermann, Christine. “Home on the Range.” Horn Book Magazine, vol. 78, no. 6, Nov. 2002, pp. 721–27. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=afh&AN=7688921&site=ehost-live&scope=site.
Never mind that the Frontier House families, whose simulated wagon train took only two days to reach their “claims,” compared to the eight-month-or-longer journeys typical of their forbears, endured only a tiny fraction of the hardships Wilder recounts. No scarlet fever. No grasshopper plagues. No spending the winter cooped up in on isolated, drafty cabin (the families remained on their homesteads from mid-May through early October). One can hardly accuse the Little House texts (the originals, not the legionary spin-offs) of depicting homesteading as a nonstop merry adventure. Still, did the Frontier House families’ initial romantic notions about the past arise simply from a failure to read care-fully enough? Or is it possible that Laura’s life, and the lives of all those who took part in the westward migration, beginning in the 1840s and lasting through the turn of the century, can never be fully comprehensible to us twenty-first-century greenhorns, no matter how much butter we churn?
Today Americans view Laura Ingalls Wilder as depicting our history. Even when that history has nothing to do with Laura or the specific time period she lived in. Even when they know nothing about Laura. They smile, nod, mention Melissa Gilbert, and think they know all about U.S. history and the west. (See note) It does seem though that somehow Laura’s image raises false images of perpetual safety even though her actual words – or even Michael Landon’s vision of them – don’t.
So What Does Frontier House Say
So while I failed to actually find that quote about how Laura Ingalls Wilder had lead them astray I did find two references in the entire series. In case anyone is looking for them again, they are in episodes 5 and 6.
Ep 5
8 minutes in
Narrator: 12-year-old Erinn is thriving on the frontier. She’s discovered she has a knack for taking care of animals.
But it’s not exactly Little House on the Prairie.
Erinn: You work a lot and you don’t look pretty at all – never – and you never have your hair braided like Laura Ingalls Wilder did because you don’t have time for that.
[Note: Erinn had fairly short hair and was OK with it down. If she’d had longer hair she’d have been braiding it to get it out of the way.]
Ep 6
1 Hour in
Adrienne Clune: Getting ready for winter has been a lot of work, but I don’t think that has been as challenging for us as just trying to get along with our neighbors. Like in Little House on the Prairie we’ve had our own Mrs. Oleson and we’ve had a neighbor that makes Mrs. Oleson look good.
Epilogue
There was definite aftermath to the story. The happy part is the Brooks family is doing fine and they had a whole pack of kids. At least as of 2015 when they pulled back from media, but there is a bunch of happy photos, etc. before that. Both the Clunes and the Glenns broke up and divorced after they got back to the modern world. I think the experience made them look at their lives and instead of being grateful made them want something different. I meanly appreciate that when Gorden Clune got home he was amazed that just because he consistently demonstrated he couldn’t be trusted on the show people didn’t want to do business with him. Klune Industries, his company, still exists, but has been sold to other people. (Don’t worry I’m sure he’s living well today off of somebody else.)
The ones I felt sorriest for though were the kids. They had vital jobs helping their families make it in Montana and they lost that when they returned home. They also had developed connections with the animals and with the land and they were blocked off from those as well. It truly had to be a blow and I hope they were later able to take that they had that connection for awhile and build a better life rather than let the loss of it permanently hurt them. When they returned home in the after report they all seemed to feel the pointless of their everyday tasks and all reported they really didn’t have anything meaningful to do anymore.
NOTE: The smile, nod, mention Melissa Gilbert line is a reworking of a line in To Please a Child: A Biography of L. Frank Baum, Royal Historian of Oz by Frank Joslyn Baum. Frank is L. Frank Baum’s son and I highly recommend the book. It of course makes a similar point substituting in Judy Garland. I paraphrase it a lot.
Sarah S. Uthoff is a nationally known Laura Ingalls Wilder authority and has presented at five of the Wilder homesites, many times at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, many conferences and numerous libraries, museums, and events around the Midwest. She is the main force behind Trundlebed Tales fighting to bring the History, Mystery, Magic, and Imagination of Laura Ingalls Wilder and other greats of children’s literature and history to life for a new generation. How can you help? Attend one of her programs, schedule one yourself, watch her videos, listen to her podcast, look at her photos, and find her on Facebook , Twitter , LinkedIn , SlideShare, and Academia.edu . Professionally she is a reference librarian at Kirkwood Community College and former director of the Oxford (Iowa) Public Library.
July is the biggest event month of the year and it’s exciting to see everything that’s going on. I’m sorry to miss the Third Laura Ingalls Wilder event in De Smet, but only found out after my summer plans were set that it was happening. I’m glad my friend Kelly and me are going to take a super quick run up to Walnut Grove to see their new pageant after the classic one ran for 45 years I want to see what they do next. I’m not speaking at any of the events this year, but feel free to tell them you want me to next year!
Home at Laura’s Place – 9:00 am to 5:00pm (2nd weekend, Saturday and Sunday)
July 8-9, 2023
Visit the Little House Wayside in Pepin, WI on these special weekends to see the cabin fully furnished and re-enactors demonstrating the arts of daily living in the 1870s. This is a cooperative activity of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Days Committee, and the Austin Tea Party Players.
Independence KS
Carrie Ingalls Swanzey Birthday Party – Saturday, July 29, 2023 – 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Walnut Grove MN
This year starts a brand new trilogy of plays in place of the Fragments of a Dream pageant. The 1st play they put on for this new series will actual be the 2nd one in the trilogy. The first in the trilogy will be closest to traditional Fragments of a Dream so they are skipping on to the 2nd one. It’s called Chasing the Dream, 1875-1876.
July 7-8, 2023
July 14-15, 2023
July 21-22, 2023
Family Festival held in Walnut Grove City Park on pageant Saturdays, July 8, 15, and 22, 2023. The festival goes from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm Check the Walnut Grove website for full schedule and more details as it gets closer. On July 15th William T. Anderson and Cindy Wilson of Beautiful Snow will be there.
De Smet SD
Heart of the Prairie
An original production, is described as featuring Laura and early De Smet history.
July 7, 8, 9, 2023
July 14, 15, 16. 2023
July 21, 22, 23, 2023
Gates Open 6 pm, Performance at 8 pm
First School event – July 15, 2023
De Smet Event #3 (name not official)
July 22, 2023
10 am – Judy Thompson – Artist who did covers for Pioneer Girl Project
1 pm Cindy Wilson – Author of The Beautiful Snow
2 pm William Anderson
July 23, 2023
2 pm William Anderson
Mansfield MO
Independence Day
The Fourth of July is always celebrated in Mansfield, Missouri. Parades have been a tradition here since the days of Horses pulling Decorated Wagons and Buggies. Today we all celebrate Independence Day in Mansfield with a Parade, Festival and Fireworks.
Rocky Ridge Adventure Pioneer Camp – July 24-28, 2023 The Laura Ingalls Wilder Home Association “Rocky Ridge Adventure Pioneer Camp” for the 2023 season! The camp will be for children ages (9-12). Camp will cost $TBA per child and will include a week of exciting adventures around Rocky Ridge Farm. Campers will enjoy many learning activities, bringing a hands-on perspective to the pioneer lifestyle. Email: liw.pioneercamp@gmail.com Camp will take place, rain or shine!! Your child will not want to miss this special week of historic fun and memories!!!! Register today and reserve your spot! What is included from last year’s post – Registration cost includes 5 days of camp, tin cup, badge, book, shirt and a hat (bonnet for girls and coon skin cap for boys). For more information, call 417-924-3626.
Malone/Burke NY
Celebration of Youth and Morgan Horse – July 16, 2022
Children’s art on display, along with students’ essays. Award ceremony and the announcement of Honorary Laura and Almanzo
Kids art activities, 19th century games, vendors, food
Entertainment & more!
Dean Butler who played Almanzo Wilder on the TV show will guest.
Annual Cultural Festival – Scottish Fling – July 15, 2023
Our annual cultural events will resume this summer with our 2nd Scottish Fling! Come enjoy the enchanting sounds of bagpipes, watch traditional Scottish dancers, and try some Scottish fare, as we celebrate the influence of the Scots in rural northern NY when the Wilder family lived here. Vendors invited.
Keystone SD – Longtime Home of Carrie Ingalls Swanzey
Carrie Ingalls Swanzey’s Birthday Party – Friday July 29 – Saturday July 30th for a small event with activities, music, and birthday cake.
Old World Wisconsin – Eagle WI
Old World Wisconsin is returning to Laura Ingalls Wilder events in a different way. They are offering camps. Search their events page for Laura Ingalls Wilder to pull up more information or book tickets.
Little House Adventure Summer Camp – One day adventure camps for kids held 3 different times. Registration is a separate fee. Kids ages 8-10.
Thursday, July 6, 2023| 10 am – 3 pm
Thursday, July 20, 2023 | 10 am – 3 pm
Thursday, August 10, 2023 | 10 am – 3 pm
Little House Family Adventure Summer Camp – One day camp for kids and adults to go together. It doesn’t say so, but I think they expect you to bring a kid if you’re an adult.
Sunday, July 30, 2023| 10 am – 3 pm
Nelson Pioneer Farm – Oskaloosa, Iowa
Laura Days– July 11 – July 28, 2023
Three different series of craft activities will be offered every Tuesday-Friday throughout July. This is not a day camp. The goal of this program is for the adults and children to do the activities together. Adults must remain with their children. Most activities are designed for children ages 6-10. Any special notation regarding ages or skill levels are listed with the activities. Or a modification will be available. Younger siblings are welcome to join in to the best of their ability! Each day we’ll feature a building or exhibit before heading to the craft barn to make the craft.
Project Archeology
July 14-15, 2023
Blue Earth, MN
Project Archeology teaches classes for teachers. You have to register before hand, but can get both Continuing Education (MN) and college credit. This class must be pre-registered for and costs $129 for Continuing Education credit and $152 for College Credit. There are only 16 spaces available. As you can see in the agenda the focus is on more general 19th century Midwest farm archeology. Website for Class Agenda for Class
The Wilder Podcast
This short term podcast recorded information over last summer and has produced a short run format podcast. I was one of the unnamed voices in Part 1. They just released Part 4. Find it on I Heart Radio or check wherever you get your podcasts. I’m saving comments until the end, but they keep saying AlmOnzo. 😦
UPDATED July 5 2023: I added the information I just got from Keystone.
Sarah S. Uthoff is a nationally known Laura Ingalls Wilder authority and has presented at five of the Wilder homesites, many times at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, many conferences and numerous libraries, museums, and events around the Midwest. She is the main force behind Trundlebed Tales fighting to bring the History, Mystery, Magic, and Imagination of Laura Ingalls Wilder and other greats of children’s literature and history to life for a new generation. How can you help? Attend one of her programs, schedule one yourself, watch her videos, listen to her podcast, look at her photos, and find her on Facebook , Twitter , LinkedIn , SlideShare, and Academia.edu . Professionally she is a reference librarian at Kirkwood Community College and former director of the Oxford (Iowa) Public Library.
July is the biggest event month of the year and it’s exciting to see everything that’s going on. I’m sorry to miss the Third Laura Ingalls Wilder event in De Smet, but only found out after my summer plans were set that it was happening. I’m glad my friend Kelly and me are going to take a super quick run up to Walnut Grove to see their new pageant after the classic one ran for 45 years I want to see what they do next. I’m not speaking at any of the events this year, but feel free to tell them you want me to next year!
Sarah's Notebook 