Been there, done that.
As readers (crickets) may recall, I would make a yearly trek to the Laura Ingalls Wilder Home in Mansfield once a year back when we lived in Missouri. That was 20 years ago, and I was told by folks in the Real Laura Fan group that a lot had changed.
The first thing to note was the museum moved from the back of the house to a visitor's center west of the white farmhouse.
This is a problem.
When Almanzo and Laura built their house, it was not only for fresh, gravity-fed spring water from the ravine but also for the charming vistas she could take in from her large picture windows.
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.
I was disorientated by the new space, it seemed like an intrusion on her vision of the farm. But it's not a farm anymore, hasn't been one since Almanzo passed in 1940s, and has been a museum since 1957. But still...!
Regardless, the museum is well curated, the staff friendly, and there's a 10-minute intro reel to welcome visitors before browsing the artifacts, including recordings of Laura's little old lady voice. And now, you are allowed to take pictures.
Laura's postage stamp from the 90s.
What everyone wants to see when they get there - Pa's actual fiddle. Appraisers have determined it is German-made, 1850s. No idea how Charles obtained it. Value? Priceless.
One of the crazy quilts from scraps in Laura's collection. Reading her stories, you wonder about the pink lawn, was that a piece of it here? What about her brown poplin from their buggy rides? Pa's work shirts, Carrie's pink striped dress? Ma's delaine?
Artifacts as mentioned in the books: in Big Woods, a digital copy of Pa's Big Green Book.
How much this jewel box, as described in Plum Creek, meant to her that she still had it when she died.
The homestead claim deed, BTSoSL.
Ma's pearl-handled pen is mentioned several times, including TLW.
The name cards were purchased at Hopp's in LToTP.
When Mary came home from college, she brought gifts, like this beaded basket for Laura in THGY. The white blouse on the lower shelf is one Mary made, demonstrating infinite patience to do that much pin-tucking while blind.
The iconic bread plate, TFFY.
The now-defunct literary award that was named for her.
Rose's traveling outfit as a war correspondent covering the Vietnam War. This outfit alone is giving me pause to reflect on Rose as a person, this is far more modern than what would be expected of an old lady in the 60s. I'd wear that today.
The sheer amount of items in the museum compared to 20 years ago has tripled, or maybe even quadrupled due to having the space as well as the proper cabinets to preserve the artifacts for display.
Sadly, the black wedding dress was not out. I didn't ask about it, but I imagine having been made in 1885, the dress needs to "rest" from the public eye to maintain the integrity of the fabric. Little Joyce, the 88-year-old docet, helped show me some of the items she found fascinating, such as Almanzo's collection of handmade canes and shoe laths. Because of his illness in the late 80s, when diphtheria gave way to a series of strokes, Almanzo became lame on his right side, physically shrinking. He made his own shoes, building up the right, so he could walk with a steady gait but still relied on his cane for support.
Joyce was a fangirl and loved walking me from case to case to show off Laura's china collection, jewelry, and farm woman equipment. I was pleased to see an actual butter mold and noted that while Ma had strawberries, Laura had a swan.
And I have a Joanna Gaines butter dish...
It's only fair and right that the girl who gave away all her sweet presents during the long winter scored some major baubles.
I'm still astonished by how small everything was.
But all is not well in Laura's home spaces. Things that were once out in the open are under glass, not only for preservation purposes, but because some of Laura's artifacts have been "traveling" with visitors who have light fingers and have stolen some of her things, including pens, kitchen supplies, and handkerchiefs.
Who steals from Laura?!
Anyway, in the gift shop, I picked up the final Christmas ornament in the collection, the Rock House; a book on who the real Mr. Edwards was; and a bar of Mr. Edwards-inspired soap.
Next up: the farmhouse and rock house.
