Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Summer Highlights - Exploring Pepin, Wisconsin and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum

Hello and welcome back to another "Summer Highlights" travel post.  I have been spending the last few weeks highlighting some fun things I did this summer in my own neck of the woods.  Week one I shared "Hiking in the Driftless Region" and week two I wrote about "Celebrating the 4th, Going to the Beach, and Playing on the Porch." This week, I'm sharing about a day trip to Pepin, Wisconsin which is famous for both its gorgeous lake and also for being the birthplace of Laura Ingalls Wilder.

My granddaughter Alethea loves the Little House television series.  Her mom rents the DVDs from their local library.  Alethea is a little young for the books, but she does have one that is for her age group.  Because of Alethea's love for the Little House series, we decided to take her to the "Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum" in Pepin, Wisconsin.  It's only about a thirty minute drive from our house.


The museum is divided into three sections:  the history of Laura Ingalls Wilder is on one side, and generic Pepin, Wisconsin history on the other side, with a cute gift shop in the middle.


The museum illustrates  the daily life of Laura Ingalls and her pioneer neighbors.


This section of the museum showcased what a typical one room schoolhouse would have looked like.


We thought this exhibit explaining how "Pa" made his own bullets was very interesting.  The only thing we couldn't understand was where he got the gun powder from.

There were lots of old photographs of the Ingalls family members.


There were not many original items that belonged to the Ingalls family in this museum, as they took a lot of things with them when they moved, but this quilt belonged to Laura Ingalls Wilder.


We were very surprised to see how often the Ingalls family had to move in their lives and the reasons why.    They had so many setbacks and tragedies in their lives and reading about their story made us more appreciative of our own lives.



Alethea loved the old fashioned kitchen.


In the gift shop we found these cute little bonnets so of course we had to try them on!


Now on to the other side of the museum, where we learned about the history of Pepin, Wisconsin.  River boats were very popular as they cruised up and down the Mississippi River.  This is a great display for kids, and they are allowed to climb up inside of it.

Another huge attraction for the kids is the covered wagon.  The kids can step up and see all the typical items the pioneers would have traveled with.

We really enjoyed the museum and we were surprised to see how many other people were there in the middle of a work week.  It is quite the attraction!  The Laura Ingalls Wilder book and tv series is very popular.  Pepin, Wisconsin also has "Laura Ingalls Wilder Days":  "a family-oriented event featuring arts & educational entertainment based on the early American pioneer experience of storybook author Laura Ingalls Wilder.  It's held annually (the second full weekend in September) in the village and surrounding hillsides of her birthplace - Pepin, Wisconsin."

After touring the museum we went to my favorite restaurant in Pepin, the "Garden Pub & Grille".  I just love the food and outdoor atmosphere.  It reminds me of the beach restaurants in Florida.  Of course the kids had to get their picture taken in the gigantic chair first!

The restaurant is open to the outside, but it has canvas walls that can be rolled down and space heaters for cooler days.  It was a cooler day so the canvas was rolled down.


The landscaping around the restaurant is so pretty.  The grandkids loved the little pond and waterfall.


We saw Ellsworth Cheese Curds were on the menu, so of course we ordered those!  Yum!

Ellsworth is another cute little Wisconsin town that has the Ellsworth Creamery in it.  Every year they have a Cheese Curd Festival.  It is so fun, but crazy busy!  You may remember me talking about it before in THIS POST.


Jason decided "While in Wisconsin eat what the Wisconites Eat" so he ordered the "Wisconsin Cheese Curd Burger".  A burger topped with cheese curds and smothered with Pepperjack and American cheeses".  Ya'll know Wisconsin is known for it's cheese!


I was the most sensible one in the bunch and I ordered the "Black and Bleu Steak Salad".  It was delicious!


Off to the side of the restaurant is an outdoor bar-type area called the "Tiki Hut".  It wasn't open when we there as we went for lunch.  I believe it is only open at night.  But we snuck in anyway so the grand kids could play a game of "Connect Four".



After lunch, we decided to head over to Lake Pepin so Ashley and Jason could see the lake.  They have a beautiful marina.


If these pictures look a little familiar it's because we also went here a few weeks later with friends and I wrote about it in my "Hiking in the Driftless Region" post.  The flattened bluffs on the other side of the lake are characteristic of the Driftless Region.


It was too cold to go swimming, but the grand kids enjoyed throwing stones in the water.








And finally, we then headed out to see the actual land that Laura Ingalls Wilder was born on.  It is located just a few miles from town.  You can get directions at the Laura Ingalls Wilder museum.


There is a typical log cabin on the property that you can go in and explore, but it is not the original home of Laura Ingalls Wilder.





I hope you enjoyed my little tour of Pepin, Wisconsin.  If you're ever in the area, be sure to stop in!  The museum is open daily May 1 through October 17th, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.  Admission is $2.00 for a child, $5.00 for an adult, or $14.00 for the entire family.

Have a Great Day!  Amy

Linking Up with these Fabulous Blogs HERE!

 

44 comments:

  1. This looks like such a fun place to visit especially since Alethea enjoys the series so much! Beautiful lake too! And the food looks delicious! I never had cheese curds.

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    1. It really was! For history lovers or the book lovers. I can't believe you've never had a cheese curd! Next time you're in Wisconsin, you have to try one now. We are known for them.

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  2. Looks like you had an amazing day trip with your family. Happy Thursday!

    https://www.ninakobi.com

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  3. I had no idea there was a Laura Ingalss Wilder museum in Wisconsin! I would have loved to take my daughter there when she was younger. It looks like you had a fun day!

    Jill - Doused in Pink

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    1. Would you believe I have always known about it as long as I've lived here (about 25 years) and this is the first time I went? It was a fun day!

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  4. Enjoyed seeing your pics! The museum looks interesting, loved the old quilt, and the bonnets! Thanks so much for linking up at the Unlimited Link Party 33. Pinned!

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  5. What a marvelous adventure - I've always loved Laura and her stories. I'm quite jealous of your trip and love all the photos.

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    1. It definitely was. The Little House series is very beloved.

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  6. I loved those books, too, though I’m quite a bit older than your granddaughter! This looks like a wonderful short trip for my husband and me. I’ve never had cheese curds…they look scrumptious!

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

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    1. Oh, I think that's the best part of the books, they appeal to all ages and generations. I remember growing up watching the Little House tv series, now I can share that experience with my granddaughter. I'm always amazed when someone says they never had a cheese curd, but then I have to remind myself I am from the cheese capitol of the United States.

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  7. What a great idea to take Alethea to the museum. The waterside is really beautiful. The food looks delicious. I have never had cheese curd!

    Thanks so much for sharing your travel photos on Wandering Camera!
    -Soma

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    1. It was so fun to take her there! Yet another person who never had a cheese curd! Wow! They are quite popular in Wisconsin.

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  8. looks like fun...beautiful little family...I had 3 also

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  9. Awesome historic site! There's a lot to see there.

    Thanks for sharing your link at My Corner of the World this week!

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  10. What a fun Museum! (And what a little cutie!) Glad to see you are all having fun together out and about! #WanderingCamera

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  11. I haven't heard of Laura Ingalls before but this looks like a fun day out all the same - it's good you got to go take your granddaughter to learn more about a DVD she enjoys :)

    Hope your week is off to a great start :)

    Away From The Blue

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    1. That's interesting that Laura Ingalls is not world wide known. I would have thought she was as she is so popular in the United States. Thanks so much!

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  12. What a great museum to visit!! Great pictures!! Thanks so much for stopping by!!
    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  13. What a great place to visit! I have not been to Wisconsin but would definitely enjoy this museum. So glad that your family were able to go and how cute is your granddaughter. She's getting so tall and her smile is just precious. All of your food pics also made me so hungry - yum!

    Maureen | www.littlemisscasual.com

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    1. And I have never been to your neck of the woods. Thanks so much!

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  14. It was a nice tour! Beautiful photos!

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  15. That sounds like such a fun day exploring! I used to LOVE the Little House TV show and my sister and I would watch faithfully every week.

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    1. It was fun, and I really wish there was more family friendly entertainment like this on tv today.

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  16. You two look absolutely adorable with this bonnets on :D

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  17. Hello, this is one of my personal favorites for last week’s Encouraging Hearts and Home. I hope you stop by and say hello, this post has also been pinned to the Encouraging Hearts and Home board! Thank you for being a part of Encouraging Hearts and Home, we appreciate all that you share. Have a great week ahead!

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    1. Oh, thanks so much. I was gone all week on vacation. I will be sure to stop by soon.

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  18. Nice pics.
    The bonnets looks lovely on you both ♥
    Love the food pics too.

    Ann
    https://roomsofinspiration.blogspot.com/

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  19. Oh, I know a whole bunch of grandgirls who would just adore that museum. And I've gotta tell you that that burger is making me all kinds of hungry, Amy!

    I'm off to the kitchen to forage around ...

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