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Return often to find important news articles, exciting happenings and special offers from the Adirondack Lakes Region press room.BURKE, NY - The appeal of farm life as Almanzo Wilder lived it in Farmer Boy is as strong as ever at the historic site that was his home.
Thousands of people from as far away as Germany and Japan visit Wilder's homestead in northern New York made famous by Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of Little House on the Prairie and other "Little House" books.
"The book has a passionate following," according to Ken Carre, president of the Almanzo & Laura Ingalls Wilder Association that operates the homestead. "There are tours based in the Midwest that visit all the Wilder home sites including this one, families and school groups. Mennonites from all over the northeast come here. When they arrive in plain dress, it's almost like stepping back in time."
The romantic glow of the past is heightened by the fact that farms are now fairly exotic. When Farmer Boy was written during the Great Depression, farm employment was starting to decline from its highest rates ever - 41 percent of the workforce in 1930. Since 1900, the number of farms has dropped by 63 percent, according to the US Department of Agriculture. Today, farmers comprise only one percent of the population.
The Wilder Homestead portrays farming as it was in the middle of the 19th century, including barns, agricultural tools and the original home on the original foundation. There are gardens with period farm crops and typical kitchen produce, as well as hops tepees.
"We know from family letters that hops were grown, even though they aren't mentioned in the book," Carre noted. Hops were a hugely profitable crop in upstate New York during the 1850's and 60's.
"We have restored the home to the period when Almanzo lived here," Carre explained, "complete with the parlor where Almanzo threw the stove blacking brush."
The barns, critical for crop storage and for sheltering animals, had to be reconstructed. Fortunately, Almanzo drew pictures of the barns for his wife so she could describe them in the book, and the Association is "lucky to have those drawings."
The next project is to build a period school house of the type where Almanzo went to school. The one-room school was the site of a memorable episode from the book when the schoolmaster takes on life-threatening classroom bullies with a bull whip and a little tutoring from Almanzo's Pa.
To celebrate what is still a mostly rural lifestyle in this hamlet near Malone, the Wilder Homestead hosts several events, including the annual Harvest Festival from 10 am to 5 pm Saturday, Sept; 25.
There will be period craft demonstrations, craft sales, music and performances by cloggers. Food, such a big part of rural life and Farmer Boy in particular, will be provided by vendors, including the local Methodist Women whose doughnuts "are to die for," according to Carre.
The house and grounds will be open throughout the day. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for youngsters 6 to 16, with children 5 and under free.
A documentary video that examines Almanzo's life through live re-enactment and the classic illustrations by Garth Williams has been produced and narrated by Dean Butler. Butler portrayed Almanzo as an adult in the long-running TV series, "Little House on the Prairie."
"Right now the video is only available through our gift shop at the site," Carre said. "We're working with Butler's production company on expanding its marketing and distribution."
Carre remembered the event in 2008 when Butler was on the site to autograph books and work on the documentary. "The line into the house was a hundred yards long."
At the moment, things are peaceful at the homestead. A breeze rustles the leaves of a huge old maple tree in the front yard.
"We know that this tree was here when Almanzo lived here," Carre said, looking up. "I like to think he climbed in these branches."
If you go:
The Almanzo Wilder Homestead, Stacy Rd., Burke, NY, 3.5 miles east of Malone. Open from Memorial Day weekend through the last weekend in September, Monday - Saturday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sundays: 1:00 p.m. - 4 p.m. General admission includes a guided tour of the restored farmhouse, reconstructed barns, and museum. Adults: $7.50, senior citizens: $7.00, children 6 - 16: $4.00, younger children and active duty military personnel with ID's are free. For more information, visit www.AlmanzoWilderFarm.com
More farm fun nearby:
The Tucker Farm, Hobart Rd., Gabriels, is a half hour south of the Wilder Homestead. The Tucker family has been farming in the Adirondacks since the 1920's and their fields provide the open space to enjoy a "million dollar view" of the surrounding mountains. Now through October the Great Adirondack Corn Maze is open Thursdays through Sundays. Friday and Saturday nights are "flashlight nights," when the maze stays open late and a bonfire with s'mores fixings are provided. Thursdays and Sundays, the maze closes at dusk. Pumpkins go on sale in October and farm tours may be reserved in advance. The Tuckers are proud to grow 10 varieties of potatoes, but other produce is available seasonally. Visit www.TuckerTaters.com for more information.
