The University of Michigan-Dearborn will be hosting a new Laura Ingalls Wilder exhibit with an opening program on Oct. 29 and will be fully open from Oct. 30th to Dec. 10th. This will be a major exhibit and any Laura fan should make an effort to get there. At Laurapalooza, Bill Anderson said he thought this would be the largest Wilder exhibit since the one at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library in 1993. The timing also suggests to me that they might have gotten some things on loan from the homesites that are much more open to loaning things outside of their main season. It sounds like it’s not to be missed if at all possible.
Laura fans will of course be aware of Laura’s strong connections to Detroit. The very first library (barely – 3 came very close together) to be named for her was in Detroit. She had journeyed there for a Book Fair hosted by a local department store (back when such events were common to promote children’s books sales) and her appearance there left a strong impression. This is the “Book Week Speech” that is frequently quoted. Meanwhile Almanzo went through the Henry Ford Museum and ate at the vintage lunch wagon that he declared was better value for the money than he could get in Mansfield. While Laura was not in a position to return for the library naming she did send a speech to be read and artifacts to be displayed (including a manuscript and some of her school books). Long since pulled from the Laura Ingalls Wilder Branch (which has moved, but is still named in her honor), these will be among the items on display from what I’ve heard.
http://library.umd.umich.edu/news/index.php?/archives/6972-Calling-all-Laura-Ingalls-Wilder-fans!.html
http://library.umd.umich.edu/news/index.php?/archives/7038-Save-the-date-Lauras-enduring-tale-Celebrating-the-75th-Anniversary-of-Little-House-on-the-Prairie.html
I should note for some reason I don’t understand, I can’t get into their website from my work computer, but haven’t had any problem from home. I suggest if you have issues with the links above try a different computer.
Here’s the official release.
Are you wild about Wilder? Join us for the exhibition “Laura’s Enduring Tale: Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of ‘Little House on the Prairie.’” The exhibition runs Oct. 29 – Dec. 10, 2010. The opening reception is Friday, Oct. 29, 2010 from 5 – 8 p.m. with a presentation by William T. Anderson, noted Wilder biographer, at 6 p.m.
A special children’s event will be held Saturday, Oct. 30 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
More details about the exhibition and events are in the flyer.
Both events are free and open to the public. Please help us plan seating and refreshments by registering registering online or calling Susan Flannery at 313-593-5236.
Directions to the university and a campus map can be found here. The exhibition is in the Berkowitz Gallery, located in the Mardigian Library (designated ML on the campus map). Parking is available in the lot across from the library.
Wilder museums and institutions from around the country collaborated on the exhibition by loaning Wilder artifacts and items from the time period. Many items have never been on loan before so it promises to be an exciting event!
Sarah S. Uthoff blogs at TrundleBed Tales; look for her on Twitter and YouTube.