If I'd made a bucket list, this place would have been on the short list. I was driving back to Florida, discovered my Road Trippers app had been renewed, so took advantage of it. sorta... I decided to let it plan out some stops, and one of the stops was in Mansfield, Missouri at the Laura Ingalls Wilder House and Museum.
I have no idea why I had never thought about making a pilgrimage here, cause I'd read every single one of her books in elementary school. I guess I'd never realized I could actually see where she composed and wrote the books. OMG, it was amazing.
While I toured the house, I didn't take any pictures inside; I felt it was intrusive. Apparently, Laura (if I may be so bold as to refer to her by her first name) was a very petite woman, and the counters in the house reflect that. Her husband Almanzo built them 'Laura' high.
Their daughter Rose Wilder Lane, was an accomplished author and journalist and built her parents a more modern home, Rock House, in which they lived for many years before moving back to the original house, where she remained until she died.
I did take pictures inside of this house, as it just didn't feel as intrusive to do so. Laura loved her pretty dishes and Rose bought her this rather gorgeous set.
The interior of the house was very modern, including this rather handsome bathroom.
The upper kitchen cabinets are the original to the house, had been taken out at some past date, and were discovered in a barn, restored, and replaced in the kitchen. The stove is not original, but is of the 'period'. The floor is also not original. The little table and chairs were purchased by Laura, as she wanted a small table that they could eat at. She also painted the chairs and table. I was told she bought the table and chairs for $10.
In the main house, there is also a sitting room and a library consisting of over 300 books. You can see the pictures of the interior on the website for the museum.
