Walnut Grove, located on U.S. Route 14, is home to a charming, small-town Minnesota museum that celebrates the life and work of Laura Ingalls Wilder, the beloved creator of the “Little House” series. Come with us as we explore this central Minnesota gem, which features a collection of Charles Ingalls furniture. That's right, furniture hand-crafted by the father of the woman who would become one of the most acclaimed American writers of the first half of the 20th century. That's just one of the surprises awaiting at this unique slice of Americana hiding in small-town Minnesota.
Although charming in its own right, the central Minnesota town of Walnut Grove is, today, best known as the childhood home of beloved American writer Laura Ingalls Wilder.
The town featured prominently in two of the author’s books and served as the main setting for the 1970s television series Little House on the Prairie.
The museum, itself, is comprised of more than half a dozen buildings, including a schoolhouse, an early settler home, and replica dugout.
Artifacts include props and memorabilia from the TV series and actors from the show who have visited the museum. There is, of course, a gift shop, as well.
The museum’s schoolhouse illustrates the conditions in which Ingalls and her classmates attended school in the late 1800s.
At age 15, Ingalls would earn a teaching certificate and teach in a similar country school near De Smet, South Dakota, for three years.
The settlers house is demonstrative of the house that Charles Ingalls, Laura’s father, built for their family in Walnut Grove.
When they first arrived in Walnut Grove, the Ingalls family lived in an earthen dugout home near Plum Creek while Charles built their home. The museum offers a glimpse into what living in a dugout may have been like.
You’ll find a more detailed account of that time in Ingalls’ life in her book On the Banks of Plum Creek.
This is also one of the best places to see the tools that Charles Ingalls used to craft many of the pieces on display here.
Ingalls was a talented carpenter and craftsman, and his furniture is one of the most interesting time capsules remaining at the museum.
Whether you’re a Laura Ingalls Wilder fan, a history buff, or just a lover of small-town America, a visit to Walnut Grove and its Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum should certainly be on your bucket list. Visit the museum’s website for hours and more information. If you're in town during July, make sure to check out the Wilder Pageant, a festival held over three weekends and celebrating Laura Ingalls Wilder's legacy.
Have you visited this small-town Minnesota museum in Walnut Grove and seen its collection of Charles Ingalls furniture? Let us know in the comments. As Minnesota is a big state and Walnut Grove is far away from any major cities, make sure your car is well-stocked with all the essential road trip supplies before you make the journey to this historic small town!
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