History
The Almanzo Wilder Homestead is technically the homestead of Almanzo’s father, James Mason Wilder, who purchased the property in 1840, cleared the land and built the buildings.
His wife, and Almanzo’s mother, was Angeline Day Wilder. The couple were married on August 6, 1843 and raised six children, two of whom were not mentioned in Farmer Boy.
The oldest daughter, Laura, was born June 15, 1844, and was possibly not mentioned to prevent confusion with Almanzo’s wife and author, Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Oldest son Royal was born in 1847, daughter Eliza Jane apparently in 1850 (no known records show the exact date), Alice in 1853, and Almanzo in 1857.
The youngest child, Perley, was not born until 1869. With the book primarily taking place while Almanzo was nine, Perley was not included because he was not yet born.
Buildings
Future plans, as funds allow, include the construction of additional buildings, such as an icehouse and outhouse.
Click on the images to learn more.
Museum
The Wilder Homestead Museum, located in the Visitor Center, is home to a wonderful collection of period artifacts, farm tools, Wilder photos, and plenty of information about the Wilders, Laura Ingalls, and farm life in the mid-19th century.
Visitors of all ages will delight in the replica homestead models, which were used in the development of the barns and grounds.
Don’t miss the extensive collection of books on display, including several editions of Farmer Boy published in many other languages.
Gardens
Mrs. Wilder would have had a large kitchen garden where she would tend vegetables and herbs, many of which would have been preserved for winter use or dried for fabric dyes or even medicinal purposes. Berries would have thrived around the farm and used in season and for jams.
Our display garden gives visitors a reduced version to view and includes the heritage plant varieties that would have been grown here in the 19th century. With a nod to this region’s Native American history, we recently included a Three Sisters garden, which is the planting of corn, beans, and squash close together to help each other survive and thrive. Visitors to the Wilder Farm might catch our head gardener working and are welcome to stop for a chat.
Gift Shop
Our on-site shop offers a complete selection of books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, as well as many books about her and other writings of interest.
You can take home a memento of your visit or a gift for a Laura or Farmer Boy fan. Punched tin lanterns, hand dipped candles, folk toys, plush animals, mugs, bonnets, and more will give you plenty to browse around.
We also have a booth at the Market Barn in Malone with a selection of books, toys, and mugs.
Tour The Homestead
The rooms in the house would have been a restful, but practical place for the family to enjoy life. See the pantry and the wood stove in the kitchen, the dining room that also housed the cobbler when he came around, and the parlor with its fancy horse-hair chairs that would only be for special occasions. Even the bedrooms were comfortable, but functional. Try turning the "bed bugs" upstairs or check out the stain on the wall where Eliza Jane threw the stove-blacking at Almanzo!
