Have you been to De Smet, South Dakota? Only 40 miles from Brookings, it’s a must for every Little House fan.
- Wander the homestead Pa farmed southwest of town, where Laura used to wait for Almanzo to come and take her driving on Sundays.
- Visit the cemetery (Little House researcher Nancy Cleaveland is leading a tour) where so many recognizable Little House characters have been laid to rest.
- Tour the house on Third Street in the center of town where the Ingalls family moved permanently after Laura got married.
- Step inside the Surveyors’ House where the Ingalls family spent the winter of 1879-1880.
The Laura Ingalls Wilder Legacy and Research Association has chartered a bus to leave from the conference site on Saturday morning, July 18, returning that evening at about 9 PM. Seats are limited and tickets are $87, available for purchase when you register for the conference. (Should the bus sell out, we will create a waiting list, but we will be unable to add another bus.)
The bus trip admission includes a sack lunch and admission to the Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society museum, Ingalls Homestead, and the De Smet Pageant. An evening meal is NOT included, but there are concessions at the pageant, as well as a few restaurants in De Smet.
Those traveling by car may still purchase the sack lunch with their conference registration, but will be responsible for their own admission tickets to the activities and events. Meal preferences for the sack lunch ($9.50) will be available at checkout.