Is the real Little House on the Prairie still standing? Read on for our trip to discover the original Little House. Extensive details and LOTS of photos follow!
Many kids grow up reading and cherishing the Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder – I know I did, along with some of my kids. The entire series makes for a fantastic family read aloud!
A trip out to the central United States can even allow for visits to some of Laura’s original home sites.
As The Little House on the Prairie is her most well-known and beloved book, it could make for a fun visit, being able to see the home and land on which some of her formative years took place.
So…
Where is the Real Little House on the Prairie?
The real Little House on the Prairie is in fact no longer in existence. A replica is located on what was the Ingall’s land in Montgomery County, Kansas, at the southeast corner of Section 36, Rutland Township. The land was discovered as a historical site well over 100 years later and the original cabin was gone by then. The only structure original to the site is the well Pa dug.
Is the site of the actual Little House on the Prairie worth it to visit?
Yes! The entire area is called the Little House on the Prairie Museum and it’s worth making the trip for a visit. Read on for more details on what you can discover at the museum and many photos and details on our own adventurous visit!
- What to See – Extensive Details from our Visit!
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the most fascinating things to see at the Little House museum?
- Is the Little House on the Prairie Museum good for kids?
- How long does it take to tour the museum?
- How authentic are the buildings at the Little House on the Prairie Museum?
- Where are all Laura Ingalls Wilder museums?
- Are there reunions or special events for Laura Ingalls Wilder fans?
What is there to see at the Little House on the Prairie Museum?
Our visit to the museum was a delight…although the day was overcast, I was thrilled the rain missed us!
We embraced the gray clouds and moved on to discover what lay in store.
Our first venture was to the main attraction, which was the Little House on the Prairie replica cabin.
Stepping into the cabin was like stepping back in time. A fantastic reproduction, the house was built to be as authentic as possible with some moderns touches to make it last.
Read more on it here.
My kids loved acting out the days of Laura Ingalls inside the little cabin.
There was an assortment of dishes spread on the tables and a broom in the corner. A spinning wheel sat on one side, ready for turning.
They jumped right in!
Next to the house sits a large, metal farm tool, an open wagon, and a covered wagon.
The wagon was obviously not the one they used, but a nice replica.
Further on are the Wayside Post Office and Sunnyside School. Though these aren’t authentic to the Ingall’s land, both buildings were in a local town called Wayside in the same time period.
Rather than demolishing them in 1977, they were relocated to be a part of the museum. Both hold interesting items inherent to the time period.
When you arrive at the post office, look carefully at the mail slots – though faded, the post office still has the names of then local families inscribed on the mail slots (including the name of the current owner of the land)!
The living and working quarters for the post master can also be viewed and a document regarding the history of the office is on display.
The classroom portion of the schoolhouse is roped off, but you get a fantastic glimpse into the makeup of a schoolroom around the turn of the century.
A family or two donated tiny replicas of both a covered wagon and a log cabin.
There’s a small side room at the front that holds a stove and various items belonging to the time period, including medicinal treatments.
Once again, my kids dove right in with drawing on the chalkboard at the back!
The most genuine piece to the museum is the well that’s situated directly behind the farmhouse gift shop. This is the same well that Pa dug, as described in Little House on the Prairie, and is the artifact that led investigators to conclude this was the piece of land on which the Ingalls lived.
The well is now covered for safety reasons, so no need to fret little ones falling in.
Other items of interest are the gift shop – located in a farmhouse – and the outhouse. The gift shop contains various items such as books, toys, and candy, including what is believed to be Edmund Mason’s (“Mr. Edwards”) axe. My girls enjoyed looking at the dolls and all the kids enjoyed a piece of stick candy.
And yes, the outhouse is just for show; there’s a building with toilet facilities on site for visitors.
The Little House on the Prairie Museum is fairly small and can be seen in 30 minutes. However, you should plan for at least an hour if you like to take your time and experience everything thoroughly.
For families who really tend to linger and also enjoy perusing in gift shops, an hour and a half should be plenty adequate.
We really enjoyed our time at the Little House on the Prairie Museum in Kansas and hope you do, too!
FAQs
What are the most fascinating things to see at the Little House museum?
The most fascinating items at the Little House on the Prairie Museum are the original well Pa built, the original family names listed on the mail boxes in the post office, and the little house replica that was built to mimic Laura’s home as detailed in the book. Inside the home, there are various items to handle to simulate life inside the cabin. The schoolhouse contains donations of a miniature log cabin and covered wagon that are fun to peek at.
Is the Little House on the Prairie Museum good for kids?
Absolutely, the Little House on the Museum is perfect for kids! There are small items to play with inside both the log cabin and the school, for kids to immerse themselves in life as it was back then. The museum content is short enough to captivate and hold the attention of even younger kids.
How long does it take to tour the museum?
30 minutes is all that’s needed to tour the Little House on the Prairie Museum. For those who like to take their time, an hour is more reasonable. Our family really likes to experience everything and it took us an hour and an half.
How authentic are the buildings at the Little House on the Prairie Museum?
Ma and Pa’s cabin is a 2017 replica of the real Little House on the Prairie house – it’s the second reproduction built on this land, as the first one was destroyed by wood bees. The school and post office were both moved from a neighboring town – Wayside – rather than be destroyed. Pa’s well is authentic; it’s the same well he built and designates the land as the land on which the Ingalls lived.
Where are all Laura Ingalls Wilder museums?
There are a total of 5 Laura Ingalls Wilder Museums.
- The Little House on the Prairie Museum is located in Independence, Kansas, as specified above.
- The Little House in the Big Woods is in Pepin, Wisconsin – a recreation of the log cabin sits in this spot, along with a museum.
- Visit Walnut Grove, Minnesota for a collection of historical structures – an onion-domed house, a replica dugout house, a school house, an early settler house, and a covered wagon.
- The Little Town on the Prairie location is in De Smet, South Dakota – this are includes the Surveyor’s house, as described in the book, along with the Ingalls home (though Laura never lived there).
- In Mansfield, Missouri lies Laura’s Rocky Ridge Farm and holds the largest collection of her memorabilia.
Are there reunions or special events for Laura Ingalls Wilder fans?
There are a ton of events for Laura Ingalls Wilder fans! Many of these occur annually. The museum in Pepin holds Laura Ingalls Wilder days every September. The Walnut Grove location holds a Wilder Pageant every July. You can attend a Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant in De Smet each July. The Mansfield location has the most to offer, as they hold events from summer all the way through Christmas. These are just a few of the many opportunities available each year!
My Can’t-Do-Without Travel Products
If you’re taking a trip this year, here are some of my favorite products I always take with me! These are affiliate links, so if you do decide to use one of them, I’ll earn a commission. But in honesty, these are the exact products I use and recommend to everyone, even my own friends and family 😊…
~ Compression Packing Cubes – If you’ve never heard of these, do yourself a favor and take a look! These cubes compress and hold your clothes, leaving room for other items in your bag or suitcase. If you love being organized, you’ll love these as they fit nicely and keep everything neat and orderly. The reason I love this particular brand is because they have a card slot on each cube where you can write what’s inside (instead of having to guess every time or try to peer through muddled mesh). In all my research, these are the only cubes I’ve found that have these labels – they’re a game changer and a head above other compression cubes. Several colors to choose from!
~ Honey House Naturals Bee Bar Lotion – This was a lifesaver out in the dry Arizona heat that almost killed my skin! Easy to pop in your purse, they come in both travel size and full size. Amazon even has a value pack where you can get one of each. Hawaiian scent is amazing and my favorite by far. I picked up a travel size in a gift shop in Nevada’s Valley of Fire State Park and just about cried for joy. My son gifted the full size to me for Christmas and I use it year round now!
~ Crocs Women’s Swiftwater Sandals – These are my everything shoes in the summer. No, they’re not the clunky Crocs that you’re used to seeing. These are cute and feminine and so comfortable they pass the day-long amusement park test. I always make sure to pack them when I know there will be warm weather days. There are many different color options – we always have at least 2 pairs in our house!
