Little House on the Prairie

 

Michael Landon, born October 31, 1936, brought Pa Ingalls to life for millions of fans in the “Little House on the Prairie” television series. His legacy lives on in the hearts of his fans, family, and coworkers. He is often remembered for his ability to be both rugged and vulnerable on camera. But do you know much about his life outside of the show? What was his given name when he was born and where did he grow up? Read these and other fun facts in this exclusive biography as we celebrate him this month. Pumpkin pie made an appearance on several occasions in the Little House on the Prairie books. Ma made this dessert for Thanksgiving in Little Town on the Prairie, but that wasn’t the only time. In The Long Winter, she even managed to make a pie out of green pumpkins. When Mary pointed out that she’d never heard of a green pumpkin pie before, Ma replied, “we wouldn’t do much if we didn’t do things that nobody ever heard of before.” Whether it’s your first time making a pumpkin pie or a time-honored tradition, enjoy this simple recipe that highlights the best flavors of fall. Nothing says “pioneer living” quite like making your own beeswax candles. If you’ve never made them before, you’ll be surprised at how easy and fun they are to make. Once you’re done, tie a group of candles together with twine or ribbon for the perfect handmade gift to set the spirit for the holidays. Old Farmers Day, celebrated every year in October, honors the hard labor of farmers throughout American history. In the book Farmer Boy, Laura Ingalls Wilder writes, “A farmer depends on himself, and the land and the weather. If you’re a farmer, you raise what you eat, you raise what you wear, and you keep warm with wood out of your own timber. You work hard, but you work as you please, and no man can tell you to go or come. You’ll be free and independent, son, on a farm.” Although Laura always made it sound as if farming were the life she had chosen, in many ways, it was imposed on her. Read more about how farming would shape her character, and her decision to embrace it would define her work. Little House on the Prairie: The Legacy of Laura Ingalls Wilder is a documentary that goes beyond the Little House book series that so many have read over the years, to the behind-the-scenes, true life story of Laura Ingalls Wilder. If you have ever wondered what the real Laura was like, this documentary brings her adventures to life through interviews with historians, passages from the Little House books, archival photography, paintings from famous frontier artists, and dramatic reenactments. Are you seeking some fun fall and winter events and activities? Check out our Little House on the Prairie community calendar! We’re highlighting some events that caught our eye in October and November below. Little House on the Prairie Musical, Springfield, Missouri, October 25 through November 11:   Little House on the Prairie, The Musical follows the Ingalls family’s journey westward and their settlement in De Smet, South Dakota where Ma and Pa Ingalls had hoped to make a better life for their children. Audiences also follow Laura’s journey from a child who loved to run free to a woman who embraces the responsibilities of her own future while remaining true to herself. Through song and dance, we see the Ingalls overcoming the hardships of winter blizzards and prairie fires as well as rejoicing in their shared successes. Click here for more information. Caroline Fraser at the Minnesota History Center, St. Paul, Minnesota, November 7:   Caroline Fraser, author of the Pulitzer Prize Winning biography Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder, will be the guest speaker at the annual meeting of the Minnesota Historical Society. Please note: Due to limited seating, the event is exclusive to MNHS members and their guests only. Individual MNHS memberships may be purchased for $45. Click here for more information. The World of Laura Ingalls Wilder, Lisle, Illinois, November 14:   Join author Marta McDowell and members of "Leafing Through the Pages" to discuss The World of Laura Ingalls Wilder: The Frontier Landscapes That Inspired The Little House Books. Interested in a morning of community, connectivity and spirited conversation? Join Leafing Through the Pages, the Sterling Morton Library's book discussion group! Meeting on the second Thursday of each month from 10 a.m. until noon, this group explores works of fiction and non-fiction relating to natural history, ecology, and gardens. Click here for more information. This month, we’re spotlighting The Selected Letters of Laura Ingalls Wilder edited by William Anderson. Gathered from museums, archives, and personal collections, the letters span over sixty years of Wilder’s life, from 1894-1956, and shed new light on her day-to-day experiences. Anderson collected and researched references throughout these letters and the result is an invaluable historical collection, tracing Wilder’s life through the final days of covered wagon travel, as a farm woman, a country journalist, Depression-era author, and years of fame as the writer of the Little House books. “What we hunger for is Laura’s own voice: What would it be like to talk to her? I think these letters bring us as close as we can get to an answer,” says Anderson.