South Dakota Vacation and Travel Ideas for Literary Tours
Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society
105 Olivet Avenue
De Smet, SD 57231
Website: http://www.liwms.com/
Email: info@discoverlaura.org
Phone: (800) 880-3383
Between 1932 and 1943, Laura Ingalls Wilder (1867 - 1957) wrote and published a series of books based on her childhood, which became popularly known as the Little House Books. Six of the books received the Newbery Honor. Three additional books were published after her death at the age of 90 in 1957. The popularity of Wilder's books has continued to grow over the years, and inspired a long-running television series starring Michael Landon.
The Ingalls family moved frequently throughout Laura's childhood, settling by turns in South Dakota, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Visitors to De Smet can take a guided two-hour tour of two Ingalls family homes, including the 1887 house on Third Street built by Charles Ingalls, Laura's father. Items that belonged to Laura and other members of her family are on display. In addition to the Ingalls family homes, there are sixteen other sites in De Smet that Laura mentions in her books.
The Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society holds an annual summer pageant, featuring a performance of These Happy Golden Years. The play is set against the backdrop of the prairie sunset and the cottonwood trees planted by Charles Ingalls. There are free wagon rides for children, and everyone is welcome to visit with the performers after the pageant. Tickets are available at the event (no advance tickets are sold). Bring a blanket to sit on and warm clothing.
Other notable sites dedicated to Laura Ingalls Wilder and the Little House books include:
The Laura Ingalls Wilder Cabin and Museum in Pepin, Wisconsin. For more information, see: , visit: http://www.pepinwisconsin.com/cgi-bin/viewnlcontent.cgi?nlarticle_id=2, or call: (800) 442-3011.
The Laura Ingalls Wilder Park and Museum in Burr Oak, Iowa. For more information, see , visit: http://www.lauraingallswilder.us, or call: (563) 735-5916.
Little House on the Prairie, 13 miles southwest of Independence, Kansas. For more information, see , visit: http://www.littlehouseontheprarie.com or http://www.indkschamber.org/things_to_do_in_independence.htm, or call: (620) 289-4238.
Walnut Grove, Minnesota, setting of the popular television series, Little House on the Prairie. For more information see , visit: http://www.walnutgrove.org/, or call: (800) 528-7280.
The Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home and Museum in Mansfield, Missouri. For more information, see , visit: http://lauraingallswilderhome.com, or call: (417) 924-3626.
The Wilder Farmhouse in Malone, New York. For more information, see , visit: http://webpages.marshall.edu/~irby1/laura/malone.html, or call: (518) 483-1207.
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