Well, persistence is everything! I DID convince my husband and my two boys to go to Laura Ingalls Wilder's Home and Museum in Mansfield, Missouri.
This was done on our way to Kansas City, Missouri for my nephews Barmitzvah. We also went through Prague, Oklahoma, on the way to Mansfield, Missouri, to visit where my Grandmother Delores Dee Delly- Walbert grew up, as well as her Mother Jessie Mae Phillips-Delly. What a great mini-vacation! I will post on both of these later.
So...How does a Wife/Mother convince her husband and two boys to see Laura Ingalls Wilder's Missouri home?
Well, I BEGGED!
And in a very convincing way, I explained the historical significance of her literature, her pioneer life and survival. Landen for 4th Grade, studied the Westward Expansion, so this of course fit right in. It really did! Also my Great Great Grandmother Cora Lee was 6 years older than Rose Wilder Laura & Almanzo's daughter. This helped my boys put in perspective the time line of events in our family history and America's.
Seeeeee, sounds convincing, didn't it?
Let's face it....this was for me. But, I thought if I could turn this into educational too, it could make it "worth it"! I guess because Laura was a girl, the stories are "Girly". But, her life was far from "Girly"! It was really, really rough! Just read a little on Wikipedia. It was not all you saw on Little House on the Prairie.
So, now that I'm done making excuses....It was AMAZING!!
Where we stayed~
"The Weaver Inn", the perfect way to spend our day and a half of time travel back to the 1800's. The building was built in 1800. It used to be a Drug Store. The Inn has the most adorable rooms, very clean, very comfortable beds, and all rooms were named after family members of Laura Ingalls Wilder's. The whole town is proud of Laura Ingalls Wilder's history in their town. The Weaver Inn has a coffee shop below that stays open until 10 for Inn guests, with a complimentary coffee bar and cookies. A waffle bar, yogurt, fresh fruit, pastries, and happy Inn keepers & staff, greet you the next morning, also complimentary for Inn guests.
If you ever plan to make the trip, this is a great place to stay. Everyone there is so kind and very willing to indulge you in your thirst for more, on the history of Laura and her family in the town.
http://www.weaverinnbb.com/
We had just put our bags down and the boys were already comfortable in "The Rose Room".
The park directly across from The Weaver Inn. The bust of Laura Ingalls Wilder and encircling the bottom was all of her books.
If you watch "Beyond the Prairie", (I found it at our local library on DVD), about Laura's life, it shows her and Almanzo getting ready to go to the Mansfield Bank to get a loan for their farm....this is the actual bank. It is also across from The Weaver Inn. The lady working at the Inn said her grandmother remembered Laura coming to town on her horse and buggy. I can almost picture it!
Right past the entrance, on the way to the house, is a garden growing heirloom vegetables from the time period of Laura and Almanzo. Also a cabin being built in the same way as the one occupied by Laura, Rose, and Almanzo before they built the white house. I believe it was Amish men building it. If they weren't, they sure looked the part.
The Home Almanzo built for Laura and Rose~
According to the tour guide, Laura said the large windows in the living room you see here, were like living pictures, always changing with the seasons! I could not get over the beautiful grounds of the original 200 acres. The stone fireplace was gorgeous inside and out.
So thankful to my amazing husband Glen, for making my 31 year old wish come true! {After all, this wasn't exactly on the way...}
The home here had a mini museum and gift shop attached. The home had all original furnishings, from the refrigerator, stove, clock (Christmas gift to Laura from Almanzo), china, beds, etc. etc. I was in Laura HEAVEN! The museum had clothing, jewelry, the lap writing desk Almanzo made for Laura (seen in "Beyond the Prairie"), more china, family bibles, and so on! It was thrilling to see it all.
The Home Built by Rose for Her Parents on the Other Side of the Farm~
Rose built this home for her parents in 1928, with all the modern conveniences, including being the first home in the area to have electricity. This is also the home where Rose convinced her mother to write the Little House Series. She wrote the first four manuscripts in this home. She and Almanzo lived here for a little under 8 years and then returned to their farm house. {There really isn't a reason given for their return to the original farmhouse.}
The home is also furnished as it was when they lived there, minus a few things that they brought over to the farm house.
My Three, admiring the peaceful silence and view...
Leaving Mansfield heading towards Kansas City, I managed,very crudely, to capture a picture of an Amish man going to town. So please forgive the blurred picture...
Thank you for indulging me in sharing my childhood dream. It truly was amazing!
I should note, I developed an infection on the trip...of course in a small town with two Dr's, one off duty on a Friday and the other didn't accept United Healthcare insurance and the place smelled like a smoky bar. So please note, the nearest Dr's and true Hospital is in Springfield, Missouri. This wasn't horribly far, but not exactly close either. I made it through the museum, homes and gift shop. Then thanked my lucky stars for google and Walmart Clinics and Pharmacy. No wait time, friendly Dr. , fast and inexpensive pharmacy.
I was then back on the road to recovery and to Kansas City! Pheeeew!
You know your a determined soul, when you're in pain and muscle through it for your goal! It was well worth it!!!
To those that have dreams, goals, and bucket lists, don't let them get buried in life's hustle and bustle. Life is short... Sometimes a day is all you have and all you need to fulfill a dream!
To checking off those dreams, goals, and bucket list items....Happy Checking!
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The boys and I loved every minute! Added many great memories to the archives... Still laughing at the "Hospital" in Mansfield with no doctors! Huh? Love You, Glen
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