About Us 𓃔
The Almanzo & Laura Ingalls Wilder Association (ALIWA), incorporated June 5, 1987, is a historic, volunteer-based, educational non-profit organization.
MISSION: The goal of the ALIWA is to educate people about rural life in northern New York from 1840-1875. The restoration and preservation of the Wilder Homestead, boyhood home of Almanzo Wilder, is the basis of our mission, using Laura Ingalls Wilder's Farmer Boy as reference.
The museum/homestead consists of 84 acres of:
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Farmland
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Woods
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Original restored barns and outbuildings
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Museum/visitor center/gift shop, building complex
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Replica one-room schoolhouse
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Orchard
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Heritage garden
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Covered picnic pavilion
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Nature trail to the Wilder family frontage on the Trout River
Our Passion
This organization and historical site provide an educational opportunity through narrated tours, workshops, artifact museum, demonstrations, nature walk, school tours, and special events (i.e. Christmas With Almanzo, Harvest Festival/Civil War Living History, annual cultural festival, etc.) for visitors to experience the lifestyle of Almanzo who was born and raised here, 1857-1875.
Interpretation of this site is based on the American classic book, Farmer Boy, written by Almanzo’s wife, famed author Laura Ingalls Wilder, as he described his recollections of his life at this farm to her.
This historic house is the only original building on site of all those written about in the Little House book series.
Preserving Legacy
When the Almanzo & Laura Ingalls Wilder Association purchased the property in 1987, their mission was to restore the homestead to its original state; preserving its historical significance.
However, restoring an over 185-year-old farmhouse— with its traditional paned-windows and wide-plank wood floors— to its original condition was going to be a challenge. It would, however, be exceedingly rewarding. After all, despite being left unoccupied and uncared for for many years, the house was full of history— a charming, durable history, in fact, and one well-worth preserving.
It’s interesting to note that, historically, most homesteaders built their homes in stages. The main part of the house, with the kitchen, living area, and maybe a bedroom, usually came first. Additional bedrooms, upstairs areas, formal entertaining areas, and other less necessary parts of the house were added as time and resources became available. In fact, it often took homesteaders years to complete their homes.
Completing the restoration; restoring the house room by room, using the same materials and traditional, time-honored methods of craftsmanship used in home-construction during the mid-to-late 19th century, allowed Association members and the skilled craftsmen involved in the work, to gain a much-deeper understanding of the rewards and difficulties that the Wilder family must have experienced, while building their home.
The site is on the National History Registry and is a Literary Landmark. The preservation of that history, through the preservation of this site, which embodies the traditions and way of life of the local community, helps those visiting the Wilder Homestead and Museum, recognize and understand the region’s heritage and respect its bucolic history, whether they are experiencing the setting of the ‘Farmer Boy’ narrative for the first or the fiftieth time.
Historically, most homesteaders built their homes in stages. The main part of the house, with the kitchen, living area, and possibly a bedroom, usually came first. Additional bedrooms, upstairs areas, formal entertaining areas, and other less necessary parts of the house were added as time and resources became available. It often took homesteaders years to complete their homes.
Completing the restoration— restoring the house room by room, using the same materials as well as traditional, time-honored methods of craftsmanship that had been used in home-construction during the mid– to late–19th–century— allowed Association members, and the skilled craftsmen involved in the work, to gain a much deeper understanding of the rewards and difficulties that the Wilder family must have experienced while building their home.
The site is on the National Historic Places registry, is a Literary Landmark and is registered with the Historic Marker database. The preservation of that history— through the continual upkeep of this site which embodies the traditions and way of life of the local community— helps those visiting the Wilder Homestead and Museum recognize and understand the region’s heritage and respect its bucolic history, whether they are experiencing the setting of the Farmer Boy narrative for the first or the fiftieth time.
Carl Tillinghast
President
Bruce Bonesteel
Vice-President
Carrie McDonald
Treasurer
Robin Abbott
Secretary
Dale Chapin
Past-President